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Gargling with sage

A strong sage tea to gargle with for a sore throat and an irritated mouth.

Traditional use

Time
15 minutes
Makes
1 day of gargling
Sage

Sage has grown in European herb gardens since antiquity. The European Medicines Agency recognises sage leaf as a traditional remedy for inflammation of the mouth and throat, used as a gargle or mouth rinse.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp dried sage leaf (2–3 g)
  • 100 ml boiling water

Step by step

  1. Pour the boiling water over the leaf.
  2. Cover, steep for 10 minutes, strain and let cool to lukewarm.
  3. Gargle with a mouthful a few times a day and spit it out.

Tips

  • A pinch of salt in the gargle is fine too.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 45

    Sage

    Salvia officinalis

    A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.