Sage is a plant that has been used for an extremely long time by humans because of its medicinal properties . Its use is also culinary, but also helps to regulate certain daily ailments. It is called sage officinalis , but also Tea from Provence or Greece or sacred grass. Sage is classified in the labiate family and the fresh leaves can be used as an infusion, tincture or essential oil.
Sage has been used as a medicinal plant since Antiquity . Its Latin name is Salvia and means to heal. The Romans used it as a treatment for infertility . It has been cultivated since the 13th century as an aromatic and medicinal plant. Francis I also ordered the use of sage in arquebus water which healed wounds after a fight with an arquebus. It then became a traditional remedy to fight against many pathologies. Today, the European Medicines Agency recognizes the medicinal properties of sage to fight against:
Sage is a plant measuring a maximum of 80 cm in height. It grows in dry and sunny regions and especially around the Mediterranean basin . Its leaves are light green and oval and woolly. They are harvested during the summer season. Sage can also be recognized by its purple or blue flowers arranged in spikes. For herbal medicine, sage leaves are used.
Sage essential oil is composed of:
When someone has sore throat , she can use sage infusion to make 3 to 5 gargles a day. For the preparation, it is necessary to infuse in a cup of boiling water, three leaves of dried sage for ten minutes.
To aid digestion , 2 ml of sage tincture should be put in a glass of water and taken twice a day.
Sage is still used to combat problems associated with menopause like hot flashes . It is also known to fight against perspiration excessive.
It can be used to rinse the mouth in case of gingivitis, tonsillitis or appearance of canker sores , because it has inflammatory properties.
Sage is still known to be a nerve tonic and can be taken during:
This plant is also a hypoglycemic and helps fight fever . It has antiseptic and astringent properties to serve as first aid in case of insect bites or to disinfect wounds, but also to help healing.
A sage infusion is prepared with one to three leaves of dried leaves for 250 ml of boiling water. It must be infused for ten minutes before consumption. A maximum of three cups will be taken regardless of the targeted pathology.
The European Medicines Agency indicates that it is recommended not to use sage for more than fifteen days for internal use and eight days for external use. At the same time, it is strongly advised to consult your doctor in the event of an unidentified medical problem.
Sage should not be used when a woman is pregnant or that a person suffers from epilepsy , because the essential oil contains thujone which is a neurotoxic and abortifacient substance. It is also contraindicated in breastfeeding women, children, in case of allergy and strictly prohibited if a person has had hormone-dependent cancer (breast, prostate, etc.).
There are few adverse effects with sage, but if a person consumes more than 15g per day, they may experience hot flashes, heart palpitations, dizziness, or seizures.
There are no known interactions between sage and herbal remedies or supplements. On the other hand, sage contains vitamin K which gives it a strong anticoagulant power . It is therefore necessary to be very careful about taking blood thinners with the consumption of sage. It can also interact with certain anxiolytics such as benzodiazepines or with neuroleptics .
If symptoms persist while taking sage, do not hesitate to seek immediate medical attention .
