LATIN NAME  :            Salvia officinalis

COMMON NAME :      Garden Sage

FAMILY:                       Lamiaceae (Mint family)

PARTS USED :  Aerial parts

TRADITIONAL & MODERN USE

Used and valued in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and in the Middle Ages. It used to be said “Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his garden?” In France it was believed to ease grief and was often sown in graveyards.

Traditionally taken as snuff. Leaves smoked as a remedy for asthma. Used to treat sore throats, lung infections, for health preservation. Used with rosemary and thyme to preserve food. Sage ale and sage tea were once popular drinks. Restores failing memory. Hair tonic. Repels cockroaches and rodents.

Essential oil vapour used to disinfect sick rooms. Valuable bee plant. Used externally for skin problems and wounds

Today used to treat respiratory tract infections : laryngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, asthma. Also used as an adrenal tonic and  nervous system tonic. Reduces salivation in Parkinson’s Disease.

Contains oestrogen-like substances – beneficial effect on female reproductive system. Eases sweating and flushing in menopause. Drink cool to stop sweating. Hot it stimulates sweating.

Sage extracts inhibit human brain acetylcholinesterase, a neurotransmitter. It interacts with muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic systems involved in the memory retention process. Recent tests have shown that it can improve cognition in healthy young adults as well as improving attention and memory in normal elderly individuals. Lower doses of sage have been shown to reduce anxiety while higher doses increased alertness, calmness and contentedness. Recent research has indicated that sage may be beneficial in treating dementia.

MAIN CONSTITUENTS

·        Main active constituent is thujone – antiseptic, mild digestive stimulant, calming effect on the mind,  

         oestrogen-like action

·        Camphor – anti-inflammatory and slightly anaesthetic, clears congestion, stimulates central nervous

          system and peripheral circulation, encourages digestive function