Salvia officinalis L. Sage
Family: Labiatae
Description: “Shrubby, evergreen perennial with much-branched stem and wrinkled, velvety, pale grey-green leaves, about 5cm long. Spikes of violet to purple, pink or white flowers, 1cm long, appear in summer. H 60-0cm, S 1m.” (Bown, 1995)
Habitat: Worldwide, especially in warmer temperate regions, favouring dry, sunny hillsides and open ground.
Harvest: Leaves are picked for immediate use.
Parts used: LEAVES
Dosage: 1:5 2-8ml, FE 1-4ml, dried 5-15g daily;
Actions:
-ASTRINGENT,
-STIMULANT,
-CARMINATIVE (Priest and Priest, 1983);
-ANTISEPTIC,
-SPASMOLYTIC (Wren, 1988);
-Possibly oestrogenic.
-Anti-hydrotic [anti-sweating, decreases saliva] (AD);
Indications:
-Hot flushes, night sweats as symptoms of menopause, or other debilitating sweating,
-Nervous exhaustion and weakness,
-Headaches due to tension,
-Weakness in sexual organs due to anxiety or worry (Brooke, 1992);
-Upper respiratory tract infections, tonsillitis, sinusitis,
-Chest infections, asthma, glandular fever,
-Poor digestion,
-Period pains,
-To reduce milk-flow (AD);
External usage:
-As a gargle, for sore throats, tonsillitis;
-As a mouthwash for gingivitis, general mouth and gum problems;
Contra-indications: Pregnancy; Epilepsy; Children under 7yrs.
Key Constituents (Wren):
-Volatile oil, containing a- and b-thujone as major constits, about 50%, with camphor and others,
-Diterpene bitters,
-Flavonoids,
-Phenolic acids, including rosmarinic, caffeic and labiatic acids,
-Salviatannin, a condensed catechin.
Pharmacology: Rosmarinic acid is anti-inflammatory. Sage oil reported to be anti-microbial and antispasmodic in animals. (Wren)
Clinical trials: None found.
Toxicology: Non-toxic (Wren).
History: Salvia from Latin, “to be well”.
Traditional and Practitioner sources:
“Sage is also a kidney remedy; it is a diuretic and increases the flow of urine. It is antispasmodic and restorative to urinary tissue and can be used to great effect in water retention, sluggish kidneys, gout, rheumatism and cystitis. It is a strong antiseptic and can be used both internally and externally for infection and wounds.” Brooke (1992: 133)
“Carminative, stimulating astringent -especially suitable for weak, pale, atonic patients. Cold preparations check excessive perspiration from circulatory debility.
Individual indications:
-Gastric debility and flatulence.
-Night sweats.
-Sore, ulcerated throat -as a gargle with Tr Myrhh, or honey and raspberry vinegar.” Priest and Priest, p70.
