Sage: a description of its medicinal properties and possible contraindications for women and men, herbal infusions and other useful information about a natural healer

When it comes to proper and healthy food, vegetables and fruits are usually the first to come to mind. And few people remember medicinal herbs and spices in this regard. And they, by the way, also play a vital role in health. Take sage, for example. This is not just a fragrant seasoning for meat or delicious tea. The benefits of this plant were known in ancient times, but today they are forgotten by many.

general characteristics

The Latin name for sage translates to “stay healthy.” And this is no coincidence. Since ancient times, this plant has been used by herbalists and traditional healers to treat a wide variety of ailments.

Content:

• general characteristics
• History of origin and use
• Chemical composition and nutritional characteristics
• Beneficial features
• Use in folk medicine
• Application in cosmetology
• Use in cooking
• How to select and store

This is a spicy herb from the mint family. Its closest relatives are oregano, lavender, rosemary, thyme, and basil. Sage is recognized by its gray-green leaves and, during its flowering period in August, by its purple-white or white-pink flowers. But unlike many herbs, this plant has a pronounced smell not only of flowers, but also of leaves. This plant has a specific aroma, vaguely reminiscent of mint, but with bitter notes.

The amazing beneficial properties of sage have made it one of the main medicinal herbs in European and Chinese herbal medicine. This plant is common in many regions, but the most famous traditional “location” is the countries around the Mediterranean Sea. By the way, there are more than 900 species of sage in the world, but not all of them are eaten.

What does salvia officinalis look like?

In order to understand what sage looks like, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the botanical description of the plant. It has a woody, highly branched rhizome. In depth, the root system is densely fibrous. Look what the sage plant looks like in the photo.

Sage stems reach a height of 20 to 70 cm. The shoots of the plant are erect, tetrahedral, highly branched. The lower part of the stems is woody, the upper part is herbaceous.

Sage leaves are opposite, oblong, rounded or wedge-shaped, and have a gray-green color. The length of the leaf plate is from 3.5 to 8 cm, width is from 0.8 to 1.5 cm. The middle and lower stem leaves are petiolate, the upper ones are sessile. They are covered with small white hairs.

The branched inflorescences of sage consist of ten-flowered whorls. Sage flowers bloom from June to July. During this period, the plant is used for the production of bee products. Honey sage produces from 250 to 300 kg of honey per hectare.

The fruits are small round nuts, 2.5 mm in diameter. The seeds are dark brown in color and tetrahedral in shape. Sage bears fruit from August to September.

You learned what salvia officinalis looks like in the photo and a description of the plant when it blooms and bears fruit. Now let's tell you where the grass grows.

History of origin and use

Sage is native to Mediterranean countries and has been used in these regions for thousands of years. In addition, this herb has one of the longest history of use in medicine. The ancient Greeks and Romans highly valued the healing properties of sage. The Romans treated it as a sacred plant and even created a special ceremony around the collection of the herb. These cultures also used sage as a meat preservative. Ancient cooks believed that this herb slowed down the spoilage of food. And now this fact has received scientific confirmation. Researchers have found a large number of terpenes in sage, which, in fact, work as preservatives.

In addition, throughout history, sage has enjoyed the fame of a magical plant. Arab doctors in the 10th century considered it a plant of immortality; Europeans in the 14th century used the herb to protect against witchcraft. The Chinese also valued this plant. But in the east, sage was used primarily as a delicious tea.

Chemical composition and nutritional characteristics

Since this herb is generally not consumed in large quantities, it is difficult to consider it as a source of calories, carbohydrates, fat, protein or fiber. But sage can serve as a good source of other equally beneficial substances for the body.

This herb contains many essential oils, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds.
In total, these are more than 20 useful components, most of which have antioxidant properties. Sage is known for its amazing combination of essential oils containing ketane, alpha and beta thujone. Compounds such as cineole, borneol, chlorogenic, fumaric, caffeic and nicotinic acids were also found in the greenery of the plant. Nutritional value per 100 g of dry herb

Beneficial features

Sage has a long history of medicinal use. This herb is used to treat a wide variety of disorders, including mental disorders and disorders of the digestive organs. Some of the many beneficial properties have already found their scientific confirmation, others still remain exclusively traditional medicine recipes.

The first thing you need to know about sage: this herb has a pronounced antioxidant ability. It helps protect cells from the effects of free radicals.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent

Rosmarinic acid contained in sage is easily absorbed by the body from the gastrointestinal tract. Once in the body, it reduces inflammatory reactions. In addition, rosmarinic acid acts on the body as an antioxidant. Therefore, consuming sage as a seasoning is beneficial for people with a variety of inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and gum disease. The effectiveness of the herb for bronchial asthma and atherosclerosis has also been proven.

By the way, the antioxidant abilities of sage have not gone unnoticed by chefs. They add herb leaves to oils to extend their shelf life and avoid rancidity.

Improves brain function

If you want to improve your memory, then add a little sage to your favorite soups, stews or casseroles. Research conducted in 2003 confirmed what traditional herbalists have known for a long time: sage is an excellent memory booster.

British researchers have confirmed that sage extract improves cognitive abilities, and medicines containing the dried root of the herb are beneficial for Alzheimer's disease. Even in ancient China, this plant was used to treat cerebrovascular diseases.

Reduces glucose and cholesterol levels

For 3 months, 40 experimental participants received sage leaf extract daily. At the end of the time allotted for the experiment, it turned out that everyone’s levels of total and “bad” cholesterol had significantly decreased, and the levels of glucose in the blood taken for analysis on an empty stomach also noticeably dropped. Another study involved 80 people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Compared to the control group, glucose levels significantly decreased in the experimental participants while consuming sage.

Researchers have concluded that sage leaves may be beneficial in preventing type 2 diabetes, as well as reducing the lipid profile in the body.

Eliminates excessive sweating

Scientific research conducted by German scientists has proven the effectiveness of sage in the fight against excessive sweating. The experiment showed that taking an extract of this herb helps reduce sweating activity by almost 2 times. In addition, this product eliminates unpleasant body odor.

Improves the functioning of the digestive system

Sage is useful for treating certain gastrointestinal disorders and dispersion. Tea made from this herb is an excellent carminative. The plant extract relieves symptoms of indigestion, stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes, improves intestinal motility and pancreatic function.

Contraindications

Sage has a wide range of uses, but it can have both positive and negative sides.

The active substances it contains can cause irritation or more serious reactions in the body, especially those prone to allergies.

Therefore, sage should be used with caution in the following cases:

• If the body’s reaction to the drugs contained in sage is unknown. Since many of them are allergens, its use should be accompanied by a skin test, and even in the case of a negative allergy result, the use of sage should be started with small doses.
• For women during pregnancy and lactation. Tarragon contained in sage is a female sex hormone and can cause cramps in pregnant women and cessation of lactation in nursing women.
• For people with increased metabolism and a tendency to become addicted to medications. Many substances included in sage are highly addictive, that is, they cause addiction. Therefore, such people should in no case exceed the dosage or use procedures associated with the use of sage for more than 2-3 months.
• Children under 12 years old. For this age group, it is recommended to use plant decoctions only externally and only in the absence of allergic reactions.
• It is prohibited to use any salvia preparations for epilepsy and a number of other neurological diseases.
• It is forbidden to use salvia during severe coughing attacks and exacerbations of kidney inflammation.

VIDEO: SAGE. GROWING AND CARE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Use in folk medicine

This medicinal plant was known to the ancient Egyptians. Long-standing records indicate that the pyramid builders used this herb to promote fertility. And ancient Greek doctors used a water decoction of sage to stop bleeding caused by peptic ulcers. They also recommended diluting the herb juice in warm water and drinking it when coughing or hoarseness. Externally, sage has been used to relieve swelling, stop bleeding from wounds, and reduce pain from sprains.

Sage tea is no less popular in folk medicine. They drank it for coughs and used it as a gargle for sore throats and other throat diseases. Herbalists recommended drinking tea from this herb for rheumatism, excessive menstrual bleeding, and to stop lactation. And of course, in many countries, sage is famous for strengthening the nervous system and improving memory.

At all times, tea and infusion from sage have been known as a remedy against fever, as well as a sedative for excessive agitation. The herb exhibits its medicinal properties best if the healing drinks are drunk in small portions, but often. This rule also applies to the treatment of stomach diseases. The Chinese, for example, advised drinking a small mug of freshly brewed tea several times during the day, considering it useful for almost all disorders in the body.

A water infusion of sage is also considered useful for typhoid fever, hepatitis, kidney disease, pulmonary and stomach bleeding, sore throat and colds. It also has a beneficial effect on the body during paralysis, joint pain, and lethargy.

In German herbal medicine, this herb is known as one of the best medicines for a sore throat. In addition, not only decoctions, but also infusions, herbal extracts, and essential oils are used for medicinal purposes. And thanks to the phenolic substances, the essential oil of this plant is useful for the treatment of E. coli, salmonella, and is also a powerful medicine against Staphylococcus aureus. Due to the presence of tannins in its chemical composition, sage is useful for treating diarrhea, including in children. Herbalists also recommend it as a medicine against candidiasis and, it must be said, scientific research has found a rational explanation for this.

Many herbalists recommend using sage inhalations for asthma attacks or severe coughs. And there are explanations for this too. The essential oils of this herb relax smooth muscles, thereby calming cough. You can enhance the antitussive effect of sage by mixing it with buckwheat honey, which is also known as a cough suppressant. By the way, this kind of inhalation is useful as an expectorant and a cure for infectious diseases.

For indigestion, impaired intestinal motility, bloating, bile flow disorders or pancreatic dysfunction, it is also useful to drink bitter sage tea. And for women during menopause, the plant is useful for alleviating their general condition.

Treatment with sage: the best recipes

Sage decoction

This dosage form is used for external use and various types of rinses in the treatment of diseases of the mouth and throat, female genital organs, as well as in the treatment of skin diseases and cosmetology.

Recipe

To prepare a classic sage decoction, you need to pour 1 tablespoon of ground dried raw materials or 2-3 stems from a bunch with 1 glass of water, place in a water bath and heat for 15 minutes. Remove the broth, cool, strain through a tea strainer or 2 layers of gauze. Add boiled water to the volume of 1 cup (during the cooking process, the amount of broth decreases). It is best to use a freshly prepared decoction, but if absolutely necessary, you can store it in the refrigerator for no more than 12 hours. The decoction must be warmed to body temperature before use.

Sage decoction in dentistry

Sage is a powerful remedy for fighting oral infections. It operates in four directions:

• Due to its powerful phytoncide (plant antibiotic), salvina kills pathogenic bacteria;
• Deodorizes, gives fresh breath;
• Due to the resins, it creates an invisible thin film on the oral mucosa, which prevents contact with microbes;
• The astringents in its composition have an analgesic effect.

For gingivitis, stomatitis, mucosal ulcers, 2-3 days after tooth extraction, for abrasions due to improper wearing of dentures, it is necessary to rinse your mouth with sage decoction up to 6 times a day.

Sage decoction for throat diseases

For inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, sore throats, colds, and laryngitis, gargling with a warm sage decoction helps a lot. To achieve a quick effect, the procedure must be carried out 5-6 times a day. Rinsing can be replaced by sucking special herbal lozenges based on sage. The pleasant taste and high concentration of nutrients will help you quickly cope with the manifestations of the disease.

Sage decoction in gynecology

For inflammation of the vaginal mucosa, infectious erosion of the cervix, and thrush, douching with sage decoction is indicated. They can be replaced with sitz baths.

You need to douche the vagina or take baths 2 times a day. It is important to remember that the temperature of the sage decoction should be about 38 C.

Sage decoction for skin diseases

For neurodermatitis, psoriasis, burns, frostbite, it is necessary to wash the affected areas of the skin with sage decoction 3-4 times a day. The product relieves itching and swelling well and promotes rapid healing.

In case of acne, fungal skin infections, purulent wounds, washing should be replaced with blotting to avoid the spread of infection to healthy areas. This is done as follows: moisten a cotton pad generously in sage decoction, squeeze lightly, and apply the decoction to the affected skin using blotting movements. Let dry. Take a new disk and do the same thing a second time. Treat the entire affected surface in this manner.

Sage decoction in the fight against dandruff and hair loss

To eliminate dandruff and stimulate hair growth, you need to wash your hair with shampoo and rinse your hair generously with sage decoction and squeeze it out with your hands. Wrap your head in an old towel (the broth has coloring properties) for 10 minutes. Remove the towel and let your hair dry naturally without using a hair dryer.

Infusion of sage leaves

Sage infusion is used internally for flatulence, as a choleretic agent, to facilitate the discharge of sputum during bronchitis.

The medicine is prepared as follows: pour 1 level tablespoon of crushed leaves or 2-3 stems from a bunch with 250 ml of boiling water, close the lid tightly and leave for 30 minutes.

For flatulence and intestinal spasms, take 1/4 cup 20 minutes before meals, 4 times a day. The course of treatment is 1 week.

In case of lung diseases, to facilitate the discharge of sputum, sage is brewed not with water, but with hot milk in the same proportions. Drink half a glass hot 3 times a day. If desired, you can add honey.

Sage oil

Ready-made essential oil can be purchased at pharmacies or specialized departments selling medicinal plants. It is almost colorless or yellowish, with a unique cooling, bitter aroma, somewhat reminiscent of ambergris.

Due to the high concentration of active substances, it is used only for external use:

• Aromatherapy;
• Oil hair wraps;
• Gargling and mouthwash;
• Cold lotions and compresses.

Aromatherapists claim that inhaling the essential oil from this medicinal plant relieves stress, normalizes the emotional background, helps a person give up unnecessary habits and discover new horizons.

Beneficial properties of sage essential oil:

• For aromatherapy, you can use aroma pendants, aroma lamps, aroma baths, or aromatize rooms. To use in an aroma pendant, just add 1 drop of sage essential oil. In an aroma lamp you can increase the concentration to 2 drops. When taking aroma baths, 10 drops of oil are enough for a full bath;
• To prevent flu and colds in the autumn-winter period, you can aromatize rooms using such healing essential oil. To do this, you need to add 3 drops for every 15 square meters of the room;
• Oil wraps for hair with sage essential oil enhance hair growth and nourish the roots. Add 5 drops of oil to 4 tablespoons of olive oil, rub into the roots of your hair, cover your head with cellophane, and wrap a towel on top. Keep for 30 minutes. Wash your hair with shampoo. Rinse with sage decoction;
• To rinse the throat and mouth, add 4 drops of essential oil and 1 teaspoon of soda to 1 glass of warm water and mix. Rinse 3-4 times a day;
• For warming compresses for injuries, sprains, joint pain, add 10 drops of sage oil to 100 ml of water. Moisten a piece of gauze in the resulting solution, squeeze lightly, apply to the painful area, cover with cling film on top so as to completely cover the wet fabric. Cover with a woolen scarf or handkerchief. Keep for at least 3 hours.

Sage tea

You can brew this medicinal herb in the same way as regular tea. To do this, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried leaves or 1 twig from a bunch. Drink hot. This tea improves immunity well. Regular consumption of sage tea helps strengthen concentration, improve memory, and increases performance.

But it is not recommended to drink more than 1 glass of tea per day.

Application in cosmetology

Sage has several benefits for skin and hair. Thanks to essential oils and other beneficial components, this herb has a beneficial effect on the skin of the body and face.

Thanks to the antioxidants contained in sage, it is useful in preventing early wrinkles and age spots. Essential oils regulate the production of subcutaneous fat (useful for oily skin), and also activate blood circulation, thereby improving complexion. To do this, it is useful to apply a mask of chopped fresh herbs to your face. Due to its antibacterial properties, cosmetics containing sage extract are useful for treating skin problems, including acne, psoriasis, eczema, and inflammation.

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Sage extract is no less healing for hair. Since ancient times, decoctions of this herb have been used as a remedy against hair loss. In addition, the essential oil of the herb has been proven to contain substances found to be effective in the treatment of male pattern baldness. To speed up hair growth, it is recommended to mix 3-4 drops of essential oils of sage, rosemary and mint with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. This product must be rubbed into the scalp twice a day. By the way, the combination of sage and rosemary is considered one of the best against hair loss. The substances contained in these herbs nourish the hair follicles.

To make your hair shine, it is useful to rinse it with a decoction of sage leaves. Take 1 tablespoon of dry leaves per glass of boiling water. The same remedy is suitable for treating dandruff. By the way, a rich decoction can be used as a natural hair dye - it gives the hair a dark, shiny color (the stronger the decoction, the darker the hair becomes).

Sage for conceiving a child

Due to the content of phytohormones, sage is used in the treatment of female diseases. Its ability to help conception was known to the doctors of ancient Egypt.

What is the secret of such an amazing action? The fact is that the phytohormones of Salvia officinalis in their action resemble the female sex hormones estrogens.

The mechanism of action of sage for infertility

Female infertility has many causes, but the most common of them is ovulation disorders. If the egg does not leave the ovary, then fertilization will be impossible, which means pregnancy will not occur.

The ovulation process is regulated by female sex hormones. Under the influence of a sharp increase in the level of estrogen and luteinizing hormone approximately in the middle of the menstrual cycle, the follicle in the ovary bursts, and the mature egg comes out to meet the sperm. But there are conditions when natural estrogens are not enough. In this case, the follicle does not receive the proper signal, and the egg does not ovulate.

Sage phytohormones, firstly, stimulate the synthesis of their own estrogens, and secondly, due to their hormone-like action, they compensate for the lack of estrogen levels in the blood. In this case, the follicle receives the necessary signal, bursts and the egg successfully ovulates.

How to take sage correctly for infertility?

If the true cause of infertility is ovulation disorder due to low estrogen levels, then you can try to stimulate the egg by taking sage infusion.

In order to obtain the desired effect, it is first necessary, based on ultrasound or basal temperature, to determine on what day of the cycle the egg reaches its maximum size. After this, you can create a schedule for taking sage. The infusion is taken from the 3-4th day of menstruation until the day when the size of the egg reaches its maximum. For example, with a 28-day cycle, taking sage should start on the 4th day of menstruation, and end on 11-12; for 21 days - on days 4 and 9-10, respectively; with a 32-day cycle - start on day 4, end on 16-17.

It is not advisable to use sage infusion in the first days of menstruation because of its hemostatic effect, which can disrupt the natural process of cleansing the uterine cavity. Taking this medicine after ovulation is strictly contraindicated, as it stimulates smooth muscles and causes hypertonicity of the uterus, which can adversely affect fertilization and attachment of the embryo to the walls of the organ.

Preparation of infusion and dosage

A sage infusion for the treatment of infertility is prepared as follows: pour 1 tablespoon of finely ground leaves into 1 glass of boiling water. If you have sage not in a box, but in a bunch along with the stems, then take 1-2 stems (usually it has both leaves and flowers) and also pour boiling water over it. Close tightly with a lid or saucer and leave for 10-15 minutes. Take 1/3 cup 4 times a day.

If pregnancy does not occur in this cycle, then continue to drink according to the scheme for 2 more cycles so that the total number reaches 3. If all three attempts were unsuccessful, then you should consult a gynecologist for a more detailed examination and identify the causes of infertility. Treatment courses with sage can be repeated no more than 3 times a year.

Sage during pregnancy

It is forbidden to take sage during pregnancy at any stage, as it causes an increase in uterine tone. This can lead to miscarriage in the first months and placental abruption in the third trimester. In addition, the plant reduces the production of the hormone progesterone, which is necessary to maintain pregnancy.

Use in cooking

Sage can be eaten fresh or dried. It goes well with tomato sauce, omelettes, and frittatas. Italians add this spice to pizza. Sage also serves as a good addition to salads, baked chicken, fish, and pork. Thanks to its specific aroma, sage goes well with seafood. But this spice should be added at the end of cooking, so the herb will retain more of its beneficial properties.

Sage is not just a spice, widely used in various national cuisines. This medicinal plant has a powerful effect on the body. Sage is one of the best remedies with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Tea from this plant can truly replace a huge amount of “chemistry” that is more familiar to us. It is not for nothing that several thousand years ago the Chinese drank tea from it as a remedy against aging and heart disease.

How to select and store

Whenever possible, it is better to choose fresh sage greens over dried herbs, as they have better flavor. Fresh leaves have a rich green-gray color. For tea or preparation, it is better to take leaves without dark or yellow spots.

Fresh greens can be stored in the refrigerator, wrapped in a damp paper towel and placed in a plastic container or glass of water. Dried sage is stored away from moisture and direct sunlight.

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How to collect salvia officinalis

Those who decide to prepare a medicinal plant on their own are interested in the question of when to collect sage to dry for the winter. It is equally important to know how to properly dry and store the herb so that it does not lose its beneficial properties.

The collection and preparation of sage of the first year of life is carried out in September. From the second year, leaves and flowers are collected throughout the growing season.

The roots of the plant are harvested twice a year - in late spring and early autumn. At this time, medicinal raw materials contain the maximum amount of biologically active substances. Roots are dug only from mature plants older than 2 years.

Medicinal raw materials are laid out in an even thin layer and dried under canopies. Drying temperature - from 45 to 50 degrees. The yield of finished raw materials ranges from 25 to 35%.

The finished raw materials are stored in fabric or paper bags separately from other medicinal plants. The shelf life of a dry plant is up to 2 years.

You have learned how and when to harvest sage. Now let's talk about ways to use medicinal raw materials.