Sage (Salvia officinalis) has been used for centuries for its culinary and medicinal properties. Its scientific name is derived from the Latin word ‘salvere’ which means ‘to be saved’. It was one of the herbs used in the preparation of the Four Thieves Vinegar—a blend of herbs which was made to prevent the plague in ancient history.
Sage is an exceptional remedy for digestive discomfort and mental disorders such as depression and Alzheimer’s.(1,2,3,4) It is rich in antioxidants such as luteolin, apigenin, diosmetin, and important nutrients such as vitamin K.
For those who suffer from Alzheimer’s, sage could be beneficial in improving the memory and how information is processed in the brain. A research published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics concluded that sage extract could reduce agitation of patients.(5) A study published in the journal Pharmacological Biochemical Behavior found that a 50 microliter dose of sage essential oil improved immediate word recall.(6)
How To Take It
To prepare sage tea, add 1tbsp of dried sage leaves to a cup of boiling water and steep for 10-15 minutes. You could add honey and lemon for taste. Drink this tea twice daily to see an improvement. You can also buy sage supplements online and take them twice daily.
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References:
1. Walch S, Tinzoh L, Zimmerman B, Stuhlinger W, Lachenmeier D. Antioxidant capacity and polyphenolic composition as quality indicators for aqueous infusions of Salvia officinalis L. Front Pharmacol. 2011;2:29.
2. Khan A, Najeeb-ur- Rahman, Alkharfy K, Gilani A. Antidiarrheal andantispasmodic activities of Salvia officinalis are mediated through activation of K + channels. J Bangladesh Pharmacol Soc. 2011;6:111–6.
3. Perry NS, Bollen C, Perry EK, Ballard C. Salvia for dementia therapy: Review of pharmacologyical activity and pilot tolerability clinical trial. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003;75:651–9.
4. Imanshadi M, Hosseinzadeh H. The Pharmacological effects of Salvia species on the central nervous system. Phytother Res. 2006;20:427–37.
5. Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M. “Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial.”. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2003 Feb;28(1):53-9. Accessed October 13th 2013.
6. Tildesley NT, Kennedy DO, Perry EK, Ballard CG, Savelev S, Wesnes KA, Scholey AB. “Salvia lavandulaefolia (Spanish sage) enhances memory in healthy young volunteers.” Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003 Jun;75(3):669-74. Accessed October 13th 2013.
