- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Mediterranean region and the Middle East; Salvia officinalis
Europe · Herb · № 45
Salvia officinalis
Herb · Europe
Sage
Salvia officinalis
A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.
Safety notes
Sage contains thujone, which can be toxic in large amounts. It may be unsafe during pregnancy; ask for advice if you take medicines.
Cautions by tradition (5)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Not in pregnancy or epilepsy.
- Western herbalism: Short-term only, not with epilepsy, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Herbs for viral infections: Not with diabetes, high blood pressure or epilepsy.
- Natural skin and hair care: Do not use sage oil internally; not during pregnancy or with epilepsy.
- Western herbs in Chinese medicine: Not during breastfeeding, as it reduces milk production. Not in medicinal doses during pregnancy or with epilepsy (thujone).
Preparation
Fresh or dried in dishes, or as tea.
Use in traditions
Common sage and Spanish sage are Mediterranean shrubs long used as kitchen herbs and household remedies.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Carminative, antispasmodic, astringent, heals mucous membranes, antiseptic, reduces sweating, inhibits saliva and milk production, stimulates the uterus, antibiotic, lowers blood sugar, promotes bile flow.
Preparation and amount
Tea as a general tonic and liver stimulant; to reduce milk production when weaning; for night sweats and menopausal complaints; weak tea as a gargle for sore throat and tonsillitis and as a mouthwash for mouth ulcers and gingivitis; tincture for night sweats; cream on grazes and insect bites; hair rinse for dandruff and grey hair; dan shen for menstrual pain and angina.
Caution: Not in pregnancy or epilepsy.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Stimulating, tonic, carminative, induces sweating, bitter, astringent; balances body fluids (night sweats, hot flushes, fever), for gas and bloating, mouth ulcers, gum problems and sore throat, blood clots and varicose veins, calms anxiety.
Preparation and amount
Tea: 1 tsp per cup, 8–10 min covered, 3 cups a day (also as a gargle); tincture 1 dropperful 1–3 times a day; 1–3 drops of essential oil in 30 ml carrier oil on the abdomen or chest.
Caution: Short-term only, not with epilepsy, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Herbs for viral infections
Attributed effects
Inhibits viruses (tannins, flavonoids); especially for flu and herpes simplex; further for stomach pain, menopausal complaints, bloating, memory loss, excessive saliva.
Preparation and amount
Capsule, cream or as a herb in food; tea (1 tsp ground or fresh sage in boiling water); tonic (a handful of leaves with 1 litre of boiling water, steep overnight); 1–2.5 g 3 times a day.
Caution: Not with diabetes, high blood pressure or epilepsy.
Natural skin and hair care
Attributed effects
Astringent and mildly antiseptic; long used as a gargle and tea for sore throats.
Preparation and amount
Internal: sage leaf in a tea for a starting cold. External: sage oil in an oil for blemished skin and ground sage in a footbath (see the recipes).
Caution: Do not use sage oil internally; not during pregnancy or with epilepsy.
Western herbs in Chinese medicine
- Nature and taste
- pungent, slightly bitter, slightly cool
- Meridians
- lung, liver, large intestine
Attributed effects
Cools heat and disperses wind: sore throat and pain after long talking, also with a dry throat or dry lungs; the astringent action retains fluids. Dries dampness and curbs excessive sweating (night sweats, spontaneous sweating, sweating from damp heat). Dries damp heat in the lower abdomen. Traditionally used to dry up breast milk when stopping breastfeeding. Related species: white sage (Salvia apiana) dries dampness more strongly, also in fungal infections, and is used with nettle root and saw palmetto for prostate complaints from damp heat. White sage is also a ceremonial smoke plant of indigenous peoples in Southern California: bundled, dried leaves are burnt to 'purify' the air. Black sage (S. mellifera) is cooler and better for wind-heat with sore throat and for inflamed joints (then with the stem). The name Salvia comes from the Latin salvere, 'to heal'.
Preparation and amount
3–6 g as a short decoction or infusion, or 2–5 ml tincture (fresh plant is suitable). Harvest in late spring or early summer, before flowering; well-dried leaf smells aromatic, is grey-green and has no stems. Drunk warm, sage is diaphoretic; drunk cool it actually curbs sweating. As a rinse it tastes familiar.
Combinations
- With yerba mansa and goldenseal for damp heat in the lower body (itching or burning in the genital area, discharge, haemorrhoids, dysentery, scanty burning urine)
- With myrrh as a gargle for a sore throat with ulcers
- Temporarily 20–60 drops of fresh tincture alongside the formula yu ping feng san for sweating from qi deficiency with frequently recurring colds, stopping as soon as the sweating is over
Caution: Not during breastfeeding, as it reduces milk production. Not in medicinal doses during pregnancy or with epilepsy (thujone).
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Wisdom and intuition, divination, long life, protects home and family (burning/smudging), purification, protection, wisdom, health, healing, psychic awareness.
Herbal magic and rituals
Attributed effects
In herbal magic associated with wisdom, long life and protecting the home.
Preparation and amount
Salvia comes from the Latin salvare, 'to save'. A medieval saying asked why anyone should die who has sage in his garden. Sage grew in every monastery garden. Burning white sage (Salvia apiana) is a ceremonial practice of Indigenous peoples in California; that is a different species.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Attributed effects
The tea settles a sour stomach, aids digestion and can calm anxiety; gargle for colds and sore throat.
Preparation and amount
Tea; sage gargle (1 tbsp dried sage to ½ cup boiling water, steep 7 min, gargle 1 tbsp for 1 minute, do not swallow); tonic tea; oil for clear decisions and protection oil; protection pouch.