Sage

Like thyme or rosemary, also sage (Salvia officinalis) It is a botanical treasure typical of the Mediterranean basin, and like those other Mediterranean aromatic plants, it stands out for its fresh, penetrating and somewhat camphoraceous fragrance. In phytotherapy it is highly appreciated for its properties and health benefits, especially as a digestive plant and as a plant for women.

It is believed that the name “sage” could derive from the Latin hello either Hailfor health, or I will savewhich in both cases alludes to its restorative benefits.

The sage plant we often find it in gardens, where it is used to form barriers or in rockeries. But the garden variety is not the one that is usually used as a remedy in phytotherapy, but the one that grows naturally in dry hills and open meadows, from the north of Morocco to the Dalmatian coast, or the one cultivated in nurseries and medicinal orchards. .

Country people know it well and have been using it for centuries to compose remedies and perfumes, to ward off insects or as a aromatic plant in the kitchen. It is also very popular to use sage to purify the house.

Sage properties

Sage is a woody bush with elongated or oval leaves, covered with a silky, grayish hair, and lilac flowers arranged in distant whorls. For medicinal purposes, a species that grows in the western part (Salvia lavandulifolia), typical of the Iberian Peninsula and Provence, like the one that grows in the eastern part, which presents morphological differences.

Of the almost five hundred species of sage that are known in the world, the majority in tropical zones, in Spain there are about 16 and numerous hybridizations.

For medicinal use, the leaves and flowering tops are harvested and used. In its composition we find essential oil, with thujone, camphor and borneol, phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins and bitter principles.

Among the properties of sage, its action stands out tonic and stimulant, antiseptic, estrogenic, antiperspirant, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic.

Health benefits

These properties of sage, due to the unique combination of its essential oil with its antioxidants and bitter principles, give it a wide variety of health benefits.

Regulates hormones. Sage has a moderate estrogenic activity that serves as a support to regulate the menstrual period and relieve discomfort such as spasmodic or muscle pain.Improves digestion. As a bitter plant, it is a digestive remedy, very useful to whet the appetite, especially after a period of weakness, and to improve digestion. It calms gastrointestinal spasms, prevents and relieves gas, improves stomach acidity and, together with astringent plants, it is useful in diarrhea.Reduces hot flashes and sweating. Its essential oil, rich in thujones, moderates the activity of the nerve endings that cause sweating. It is very useful in hypersweating, in menopause against hot flashes and in feverish states.Combat tiredness and weakness. It acts as a general physical and mental tonic, suitable in periods of weakness and asthenia, or as an invigorator after having overcome a viral infection.Soothe the pain. Thanks to its analgesic effect, it relieves joint pain, for which there is an old traditional remedy: poultices of sage leaves boiled with water and vinegar.Regulates sugar levels. A certain hypoglycemic effect is attributed to it, since it lowers the level of sugar in the blood and urine, which makes it advisable as a support in the natural treatment of diabetes.A great mouthwash. Sage is an exceptional ally for oral health, without a doubt one of the best plants for oral care. The infusion in rinse or gargling helps, due to its antiseptic properties, to cut throat infections, such as pharyngitis and tonsillitis, heal ulcers and sores in the mouth and improve gingivitis and bleeding gums. It also refreshes the mouth and fights bad breath and bad taste.Remedy for the skin. It is useful for the skin due to its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and repairing power. Contains bleeding and disinfects and heals superficial wounds. In addition, it is included in traditional remedies to tone and repair the skin.Strengthens hair and reduces dandruff. Combined with rosemary and thyme, it helps to strengthen it. It is applied as a lotion against dandruff, for which the essential oil is also used. in bath or massage.

In aromatherapy, Sage essential oil is used for weakness, arthritis, asthma, laryngitis, headaches, fever, nervous conditions, muscular discomfort and circulation problems, among other applications. applies in massage or in restorative sage baths.

Many of these benefits were already known since ancient times. Sage was widely used in the Ancient Egypt, for example in order to stimulate fertility. In GreeceIn the days of Dioscorides, it was used as an infusion to stop bleeding and heal wounds, provoke urine and stimulate menstruation. And in the Middle Agesthe school of Salerno, in Italy, proclaimed that of: “What can a man who has sage in his garden die of?”

How to use it in home remedies

Although the fresh leaves are often used in the kitchen, they are also used in phytotherapy dry plant is usedwhich is found in bulk or in simple or compound preparations.

It is also possible to find it in the form of alcoholic tincture, capsules and tablets, liquid extract and jars of pure essential oil.

Combined with other plants, sage can be used in its different presentations in a wide variety of herbal remedies.

Sage for menstruation

With sage we can prepare a Infusion to regulate menstruation.

To prepare it, mix sage, mugwort, santolina and lemon verbena in equal parts and separates a tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water. Then the mixture is boiled in the water for half a minute and allowed to settle.

Once rested for a few minutes, the infusion is strained and one or two cups are taken a day, the 9 days prior to the period.

Sage bath for irritated skin

We can prepare a sage bath with other plants that will not only be revitalizing but will help calm irritated skin. We can apply it with some compresses.

To do this, mix, in equal parts, sage, chamomile, calendula, plantain and mallow. One tablespoon per cup of water is separated, the plants are placed in a teapot or similar and water that has just been boiled is poured on top. Then it is left to rest for a few minutes and is filtered.

Compresses are soaked and applied to the skin.

For anxiety and as a stomach tonic

​In equal parts, sage, pennyroyal, lemon balm and peppermint. Infuse a tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water for 10 minutes and strain. Take a cup after meals, if you want with honey.

For throat irritation

two parts of sage for one of rosemary and another of thyme, all fresh. Boiling water is poured over three tablespoons of the mixture. Filter after 10 minutes and allow to cool. Gargle two or three times a day.

sage lotion for dandruff

are added 5 drops of sage essential oil to a teaspoon of almond oil. After washing the hair, it is applied with an energetic and circular massage.

contraindications

​Although sage is generally considered a safe plant, it is recommended avoid it in cases of allergy to this type of lipped plantsrich in essence.

Also pure essential oil taken by mouth is discouraged and, as a precaution, also its use in the pregnancythe lactationin case of kidney failure and if they follow estrogen treatments.