Monograph #12

Sage

By Daibhaid A. O'Broder

Common Name —

Dalmatian, Garden Sage, Meadow Sage, Scarlet Sage, Tree Sage

Genus —

Salvia officinalis

Source —

The active components from this version of salvia officinalis are extracted. It is a perennial plant with violet-blue flowers that was originally native to South Europe but fortunately has come to be cultivated in North America. Varieties such as Pineapple, Red-Rooted, and Clary Sage are produced in Asia as well.

Chemical Components —

Caffeic, carnosol, chlorogenic, ellagic, ferulic, garlic, rosemarinic, tannins, picrosalvin, and salvin are included in this plant. A total of 1% to 2.8% of the plant is composed of volatile oils, and 30 to 50% of that oil is composed of either alpha or beta-thujones.

 

Parts Used —

Practically all parts are used, the rootstock, leaf, flowers, seeds and all.

Description —

Sage is a flowering evergreen with gray-green, textured leaves, and mauve-blue flowers in summer. Other varieties may have red-edges, oval leaves with scarlet autumnal leaves or lobed green leaves with purple-blue flowers.

Actions —

The oils and extract have been shown to have an antispasmodic activity in the guinea piaileum, hypotensive activity in cats, and CNS depressant activities in mice (Todorov et al., 1984). The herb's antimicrobial activity in vitro is attributed to the alpha and beta-thujones component. The antimicrobial action was evident for the following organisms: Eschericha coli, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella species, Klebsiella ozanea, Bacillius subtilis, and various fungi species (Meier et al., 1994). One study showed a hypoglycemic effect from ingestion as well. (Cabo et al. 1985).

Common Forms —

It is commonly found in:

Spice and Extract forms.

Reported Uses —

Astringents, antioxidants, and antispasmodics are all reported usages of Sage. It has also been shown to be therapeutic for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, diarrhea, gastritis, sore throats, gingivitis, and galatorrhea.

Sage has been used for many years as a food flavoring and fragrance in soaps and perfumes.

Dosage —

For sore throat, 1 to 4 gs leafs as a gargle three times daily as needed.

For menstrual disorders, 1 to 4 ml leaf extract (1:1 in 45% alcohol) as needed three times daily.

Adverse Reactions —

Interactions —

Anticonvulsants: lowered seizure threshold. Avoid concomitant uses.

Disulfram: disulfram reaction if herbal product contains alcohol. Do not use together.

Insulin, other antidiabetic agents: antagonized glycemic control, necessitating adjustment of therapy. Monitor blood glucose closely.

Contraindications —

Avoid use in pregnant patients because the herb may cause spontaneous abortion. Use cautiously in-patients prone to hypoglycemia (such as diabetics). Also use cautiously in-patients receiving anti-convulsants because loss of seizure control may occur.

Special Considerations —

Analysis —

There is little clinical information available to recommend sage as a medicament as this time. Animal and toxicity data suggest that consumption of sage may cause a lessening of control in seizure activity in-patients with seizure activity.

Magickal Uses —

According to tradition, those who eat the sage become strong in wisdom and years. It has also been used to attract money. Not to mention the many uses that Native Americans have found for it. Most often the Native Americans use it in smudging sticks to draw good will into an area.

References —

Links to visit —

 

Copyright ©2000 O'Broder, AOID Publishing, All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction of this monograph in any form without specific permission of the author is a definitive violation of this Copyright.