Sage Health Benefits

Products

Sage is available as an open product and as a tea in sachets in pharmacies and drugstores. Sage extracts are commercially available in the form of tablets, sage pastilles, lozenges and drops, among others.

Stem plants

Sage is an evergreen plant of the labiates family (Lamiaceae) native to the Mediterranean region. In pharmacy, mainly the true sage L. and the three-lobed sage (= , Greek sage) are used.

Medicinal drug

The fresh or dried, the whole or cut leaves of or are used as medicinal raw material (sage leaves, Salviae folium). The leaves contain essential oils and have a spicy smell and taste.

Ingredients

The ingredients of sage leaves include terpenoids, labiate tannins, flavonoids and bitter compounds. Sage leaves contain sage essential oil (Salviae aetheroleum). It is the essential oil extracted from the leaves and stems by steam distillation. It exists as a colorless to slightly yellowish, mobile liquid. Sage oil is rich in thujone and contains camphor and cineole.

Effects

Sage is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, astringent, carminative, spasmolytic, antioxidant, and antiperspirant properties, among others.

Indications for use

Traditional indications include:

  • Inflammatory diseases of the mouth and throat, sore throat, bleeding gums.
  • Excessive sweating, sweating associated with menopause, flushing, night sweats.
  • Digestive problems.
  • External treatment of cold sores.
  • As a seasoning herb, for example, for saltimbocca.

Dosage

According to the package leaflet. The medicinal drug is prepared as an infusion. Tea: infuse for 5 to 10 minutes.

Contraindications

Sage is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity. Sage and sage extract should not be taken during pregnancy and lactation as a precautionary measure (source: e.g., ESCOP, EFSA). Caution should also be exercised in infants, young children, and those with epilepsy. Full precautions can be found in the Instructions for Use.

Interactions

Drug-drug interactions are possible with antiepileptic drugs and agents that interact with GABA.

Adverse effects

Possible adverse effects include hypersensitivity reactions and gastrointestinal discomfort. The thujone contained in the essential oil is toxic in high doses and may cause convulsions and rapid heartbeat, among other effects. In some preparations, the thujone content is therefore reduced to a minimum during manufacture (e.g., Vogel Menosan Salvia).