Sage is a plant known for centuries, valued for its healing properties. The most important of these is the bactericidal effect. For this reason, sage is a common ingredient in medicinal preparations, such as lozenges for sore throats. What is the effect of sage and are there any contraindications to the use of preparations with its addition?
Sage – action
Sage is one of the most widely used medicinal plants. The most popular and most frequently used variety in medicine is the medical sage. The very etymology of its Latin name says a lot about its properties – the Latin “salvere” means “to save”, “to heal”. Most often, sage leaves are used, much less often it is the root or flowers. The leaves of this plant contain essential oil that is used to treat various ailments.
A number of beneficial substances guarantee a wide range of applications, e.g. flavonoids with anti-inflammatory properties. Sage is also an excellent source of organic acids and vitamins: it provides, among others, vitamins A, C, B and minerals: calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc and sodium. Due to its versatile action, sage can be used both prophylactically and for therapeutic purposes.
Try dietary supplements with sage and other natural ingredients that support the functioning of the immune and digestive systems:
- Para Farm – liquid supplement,
- Para Farm capsules,
- Para Farm Max Plus – liquid supplement.
It is also worth to drink Immunity – a freeze-dried organic tea with sage, thyme, calendula and also elderberry – as a preventive measure in case of respiratory infections.
Before taking advantage of the miraculous properties of sage, consult your healthcare professional. Remember that although herbs are recognized as safe, not everyone can use them. A visit with a family doctor of contracts via the halodoctor.pl portal.
Sage – application
Sage is used to treat many ailments and alleviate their symptoms.
Sage and menstruation and menopause
It is very common to use preparations with its content during menstruation or during menopause. Its beneficial effect on the female body is determined by the presence of phytoestrogens and essential oil, which have diastolic and anti-inflammatory properties. Preparations or infusions of dried sage leaves bring relief to heavy periods or hot flashes. This is evidenced by a study published in the International Journal of Medical Research and Health Sciences, which showed that a 100 milligram daily dose of medical sage (S. officinalis), given by oral tablet for eight weeks, reduced the incidence of these and other menopausal symptoms compared with those who took placebo. However, the effects of sage in relieving menstrual problems are being questioned.
You can find the dried sage leaf in the Medonet Market. You should also try a ready-made mixture of herbs, which includes not only sage, but also, for example, Japanese ginkgo and chokeberry. Order Immortality – A herbal blend for memory, metabolism and immunity.
Sage and skin care
Due to the strong disinfecting and antibacterial properties, the addition of sage should be included in cosmetics intended for the care of acne-prone and oily skin with a tendency to imperfections. We recommend Bioherba’s natural face tonic for acne and discoloration, as well as the Vianek normalizing face scrub for the care of imperfect skin, which, apart from sage extract, contains peppermint oil.
Sage also has a cooling effect when applied to the skin. It is part of the Herbapol foot hyperhidrosis gel, which you can find at Medonet Market.
In addition to acne, sage helps treat psoriasis and ringworm in various areas of the body. Sage oil has a positive effect on the hair – it nourishes and helps to thicken the hairstyle. Try the Rebuilding Hair Mask with Mint, Apple, Grain Extract and Sage Oil and a gentle daily anti-dandruff shampoo with Anthyllis Sage and Nettle Extract. You can also use herbal mixtures containing sage to improve the condition of your skin and hair. Try, for example, the Herbal Beauty Blend.
Sage and colds
Sage can help fight colds and infections, especially of the upper respiratory tract. In such cases, sage infusion is especially beneficial – it has expectorant and astringent properties, helps to remove choking secretions from the bronchi and fight fever. Drinking sage preparations supports the digestive system: it soothes indigestion and regulates the work of the intestines.
Sage and cancer prevention
The effects of sage on cancer have also been studied and the components of medical sage (S. officinalis) and lavender sage (S. lavandulaefolia) can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the test tube, including breast cancer, colon cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia, prostate cancer, liver cancer, and small cell lung cancer.
However, the researchers emphasized that this does not mean that consumption of sage can actually prevent cancer, as only laboratory studies on animals have been carried out (the mice tested showed that the ingredients of sage are able to prevent skin cancer and bone metastasis from breast cancer), and still the need for further and in-depth research on the effects of sage on the human body.
Sage and cholesterol reduction
According to the results of research published in the journal Phytotherapeutic Research, it shows that sage affects metabolism and inhibits inflammation, which translates into its positive cholesterol-lowering effect. People who were given 400 to 1500 mg of sage daily (as a powder, tea or supplement) took part in the study, and after three months these people saw an overall improvement in blood lipid levels.
- Total cholesterol was reduced by 16% to 20%.
- LDL cholesterol (known as “bad cholesterol”) has been lowered by at least 12%.
- HDL cholesterol (known as “good cholesterol”) has increased by up to 20%.
- Triglycerides were reduced by at least 18%.
However, this effect was not seen in other studies. According to the researchers, this was supposed to be related to the activation of the PPAR gamma (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor; receptors activated by peroxisome proliferators), which improves blood sugar levels, but this effect was not noticed when taking sage or sage extract.
See also: How to boost your metabolism?
Sage and the brain
A review of studies shows that substances in sage may influence biological mechanisms related to cognition. It is more specifically rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid, which are types of phenolic acid that are responsible for improving alertness and cognitive abilities in mice. These compounds can act as antioxidants that support the defense mechanisms of the brain cells.
Moreover, studies have shown that these substances improve memory, possibly due to their properties that inhibit the breakdown of the chemical messenger acetylcholine (ACh), which plays a role in memory. Acetylcholine levels appear to decline in Alzheimer’s disease. In one study published in 2003 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 39 participants with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease consumed 60 drops (2 ml) of sage extract or a placebo daily for four months. They found that people taking the sage extract fared better on tests measuring memory, problem solving, reasoning, and other cognitive abilities. Two years later, a study published in Physiology & Behavior showed that in healthy adults, low-dose sage also improves memory. In turn, higher doses also raised mood and increased alertness, calmness and contentment.
Sage and bone health
As already mentioned, sage is a source of many vitamins and minerals. It contains a high level of vitamin K, which is not commonly found in food. Vitamin K is crucial for the proper development of bone density and ensuring bone integrity as you age, so it may be a good idea to add it to your daily diet.
See also: Measurement of bone density – densitometry
Sage – anti-inflammatory effects
A 2009 study published in the European Journal of Medical Research found that sage and echinacea extract, when used as an oral spray, was as effective in treating acute sore throat as the combination of chlorhexidine and lidocaine, drugs commonly used in oral anesthetics . These types of properties are also effective in relieving the pain associated with tonsillitis or accelerating the healing of herpes when applied as an ointment.
Another study this time published in Advances in Dermatology and Allergology in 2013 found that sage, or rather sage oil, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, soothing mild skin inflammations such as sunburn and folliculitis.
See also: Echinacea is not for children
Sage and lowering blood sugar
Researchers are also interested in sage for its blood sugar lowering effects. Animal studies, and more specifically rats, showed that sage extract reduced blood glucose levels in rats with type 1 diabetes by activating a specific receptor. The action of the receptor removes excess free fatty acids in the blood, which in turn improves insulin sensitivity. Positive results were also obtained in studies in mice with type 2 diabetes, where sage tea showed similar effects to metformin, which is a drug used to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
In another study, sage leaf extract in humans was shown to lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity by acting similar to rosiglitazone, another diabetes medicine. Still, this topic requires further research to be able to talk about sage as a drug for diabetes.
Sage and Oral Health
Another interesting property of sage is its antibacterial activity, which can neutralize plaque-causing microbes. Research results are promising as researchers have proven that sage-based mouthwash is effective at killing bacteria Streptococcus mutanscausing tooth decay. The essential oil based on sage also showed a destructive effect and inhibited the spread of the yeast fungus, i.e. Candida albicans, affecting the formation of cavities in our teeth.
What’s more, in one review of studies, researchers concluded that sage has the effect of treating throat infections, tooth abscesses, infected gums, and mouth ulcers. However, again, it should be realized that there is still too little evidence to recommend sage in these conditions.
Sage and digestion
The abundance of the anti-inflammatory rosmarinic acid in sage helps relieve pain and inflammation in various parts of the body, especially the stomach. Not only is it effective in preventing stomach cramps, it can also help treat conditions such as diarrhea, gastritis, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, etc. In animal studies, sage has been shown to contain compounds that can relieve diarrhea by relaxing the intestines. It also facilitates the absorption of nutrients from food, so including this herb in your diet can help with the digestive processes.
See also: Abdominal bloating is not the result of diet alone. What diseases can herald?
Other uses of sage
Sage is also used in the kitchen as ground or whole as an addition to dishes. Sage enhances the flavor so you don’t have to add salt or extra calories to your food. The herb often goes well with poultry and pork.
You can find sage in the composition of DuoLife ProImmuno – a dietary supplement for viral infections and inflammations.
- Buy sage leaves and try them out in your diet
It is best to consult a doctor or pharmacist when taking herbal preparations, because the selection of an appropriate herbal preparation requires as much knowledge as in the case of a chemical preparation. It should be remembered that these types of preparations may interact with the medications taken, posing a threat to our health. Some herbal preparations can have a very strong effect, therefore all recommendations and restrictions provided by the manufacturer should be followed. Pregnant women and nursing mothers must exercise particular caution when using them.
Sage – contraindications and side effects
Although it may seem that the action of herbs is so gentle that it does not cause any negative effects, there are nevertheless contraindications when sage should not be used. An example is the regular intake of antidepressants that act on the nervous system. Sage can also reduce the effectiveness of anticonvulsants if used in excess, including phenobarbital, primidone, valproic acid, neurontin, tegretol, and phenytoin.
Sage should not be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding as it limits lactation. Sage may reduce the effect of anticoagulants.
Attention is also paid to avoiding excessive use of sage when taking medications for diabetesas your blood sugar may drop, which could make you feel hypoglycaemia. Use sage with caution in people with impaired kidney function.
Too much sage in the diet or supplements can disrupt the natural harmony of the body, so when used in excess, sage can cause side effects, especially if taken in high doses for a long time – it can then be toxic. This is due to the fact that some species of sage, including medical sage (Salvia officinalis), a chemical called thujone, too much of which can cause seizures and damage your liver and nervous system.
If sage is used on the skin, it is assumed to be safe for up to a week. The use of sage oil in aromatherapy should also be safe, but remember that sage oil, like any other essential oil, should not be taken orally because it is toxic. If sage oil is used on the skin, it should be diluted beforehand, otherwise it may cause irritation and rash.
Tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, including herbal remedies such as sage, to be fully aware of potential interactions and risks.