“Sage”
Latin Botanical: Salvia officinalis
Common Name(s): Sage
Family: Laminaceae
Part(s) Used: Leaves harvested throughout summer
Qualities: Cool & Dry (Holmes) Bitter and Pungent (Ody)
Constituants:
- Volatile oils including thujone (30%), cineole, linalol, borneol, camphor
- Salvene, pinene
- Bitter
- Oestrogenic substances
- Tannins
- Triterpinoids
- Flavonoids
- Resin
“Why of seknesse deyeth man Whill sawge in garden he may ban?” – Macer’s Herbal, 10th Century
Actions:
- Carminative
- Spasmolytic
- Antiseptic
- Antibacterial
- Antioxidant
- Aromatic
- Astringent
- Nervine
- Anti-hyperhydrotic
- Uterine Stimulant (Ody)
- Anti-biotic (Ody)
- Promotes bile flow (Ody)
Indications:
- Inflammation of the mouth, throat & tonsils
- Gingivitis
- Glossitis (inflamed tongue)
- Stomatitis (generalised mouth inflammation)
- Apthous ulcers
- Laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis
- Dyspepsia
- Reduces sweating
- Reduce production of breast milk
- Menopausal hot flushes
- Heavy periods
- Hormone balancer
SUMMARY:
Leaves have a special affinity for the mouth and throat.
Because Sage is both drying & oestrogenic it is indicated in both menopause and when weaning.
Fresh leaves make a bitter digestive stimulant.
Contraindications: Pregnancy & lactation – traditionally used to stop milk flow
Cautions: Caution with long term use – thujone toxicity. This constituent can trigger fits in epileptics – sufferers should AVOID SAGE
Dosage:
2 -4.5ml of 1:2 LE per day or 15-30ml per week
Mouthwash – 2 tspns of leaves in 500ml water, bring to boil and let stand covered. Gargle with hot tea 5-10 mins several times per day
Combinations:
- With Meadowsweet & chamomile for dyspepsia
OTHER USES:
- INFUSION: Use 20g leaves to 50ml water as a tonic and liver stimulant, or to improve digestive function and circulation in debility. Can reduce lactation when weaning and relieve night sweats during menopause
- TINCTURE: Used for menopausal Sx. Prescribed to reduce salivation in Parkinson’s Disease (Ody)
- COMPRESS: Apply infusion soaked pad to slow healing wounds
- GARGLE/MOUTHWASH: Use a weak infusion for sore throats, tonsillitis, mouth ulcers or gum disease
- HAIR RINSE: Use infusion as a rinse for dandruff or to restore colour to greying hair
References & Links to Articles:
Ody, Penelope (1998). The Herb Society’s Complete Medicinal Herbal. Milan: Dorling Kindersley
Hoffman, D. (1990). Holistic Herbal. London: Thorsons