Wednesday
16Dec2009
Sage
Dec 16, 2009 at 5:00
Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis
Family: Lamiaceae
Common Names: sage, culinary sage, common sage, broadleaf sage, salvia
There are over 900 species of “sage” and probably 1000 or more plants in total that are called “sage” even though not all of them actually fit into the Salvia genus. But when it comes to “real” sage, there’s only one—S. officinalis.
Now grown in backyard herb garden around the world, common sage is thought to be native to a small area of the Mediterranean coast, where it was widely used by ancient cultures that include the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians. To the Romans, it was even a holy herb. Its name, in fact, comes from the Latin word servo, or “to be saved”.
It may no longer be considered a sacred plant, but sage still enjoys wide use in both culinary arts and traditional healing. It was one of the herbs in the legendary Four Thieves vinegar that legend tells us helped folks ward off the plague during the seventeenth century. Updated versions of this recipe can still be found today in health food stores around the world.
Sage was most often considered an astringent herb and it was used for a variety of purposes. It was believed to reduce inflammation, cleanse wounds, shrink hemorrhoids, reduce bodily fluids and thin mucus.
S. officinalis was unknown to Native American people until it was brought here by European settlers. However, many Native American tribes knew other species of sage, including S. dorrii, which was widely used for headaches, sore throats and mouth ulcers. The Hopi burned and then inhaled it to treat epilepsy while the Kawaiisu believed it to be a powerful repellant for ghosts and spirits.
Ayurvedic practitioners see sage as a pungent, bitter and astringent herb. It is mainly used to reduce Kapha in the body but its exact use depends upon whether it’s taken hot or cold. When taken hot, it’s thought to be good for both Kapha and Vata conditions. Taken cold, however, it reduces excess Pitta.
Sage was unknown to tradition Chinese herbalists. In preparation for this article, we could find no reliable references to sage being used in traditional Chinese medicine until very recently.
Traditional herbal medicine tells us a charming—if somewhat fantastical—story about a group of 4 thieves who were caught robbing the dead bodies of recently deceased plague victims. During their trial, so the legend goes, the men were offered leniency in exchange for their secret to not catching the dreaded disease. One version of the legend tells us that men used a vinegar made with sage and other herbs; in another version it was an aromatic oil they drank to fortify themselves.
Today sage is used to treat digestive complaints and excessive sweating. It is also gargled for sore throats and mouth infections. Its Commission E monograph contraindicates its use during pregnancy or nursing.
Diabetes
A small 2009 article looked at the effect of sage tea on cholesterol and blood sugar. While the tea had no effect on blood sugar, it did lower total cholesterol levels in the small number of volunteers and increase antioxidant markers in the blood.
Ulcers & Gastrointestinal Infections
The bacterium H. pylori is now believed to be responsible for most stomach ulcers and its partner -in-crime, a bacterium known as C. jejuni is thought to be the cause of many intestinal infections. A 2009 study of more than 2 dozen herbal preparations found salvia to be among the most potent anti-microbials able to fight these infections.
Anti-Microbial Actions
Sage’s ability to kill harmful germs hasn’t been lost on aromatherapists. They often recommend it for use in sick rooms. And a 2009 study of sage oil found it effective against strains of bacteria, yeast and fungi—including several airborne strains.
References:
Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine.
Vogel, V. (1970). American Indian Medicine.
Frawley, D., Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs.
Moerman, D. (1998). Native American Ethnobotany.
Cam, S., et al. (2009). Sage tea drinking improves lipid profile and antioxidant defences in humans. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Cwikla, C., et al. (2009). Investigations into the antibacterial activities of phytotherapeutics against Helicobacter pylori and Campylobacter jejuni. Phytotherapy Research.
Bouaziz, M., et al. (2009). Disinfectant properties of essential oils from Salvia officinalis L. cultivated in Tunisia. Food and Chemical Toxicology.
Family: Lamiaceae
Common Names: sage, culinary sage, common sage, broadleaf sage, salvia
There are over 900 species of “sage” and probably 1000 or more plants in total that are called “sage” even though not all of them actually fit into the Salvia genus. But when it comes to “real” sage, there’s only one—S. officinalis.
Now grown in backyard herb garden around the world, common sage is thought to be native to a small area of the Mediterranean coast, where it was widely used by ancient cultures that include the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians. To the Romans, it was even a holy herb. Its name, in fact, comes from the Latin word servo, or “to be saved”.
It may no longer be considered a sacred plant, but sage still enjoys wide use in both culinary arts and traditional healing. It was one of the herbs in the legendary Four Thieves vinegar that legend tells us helped folks ward off the plague during the seventeenth century. Updated versions of this recipe can still be found today in health food stores around the world.
Traditional Medical Uses for Sage
Sage was most often considered an astringent herb and it was used for a variety of purposes. It was believed to reduce inflammation, cleanse wounds, shrink hemorrhoids, reduce bodily fluids and thin mucus.
Sage in Native American Healing
S. officinalis was unknown to Native American people until it was brought here by European settlers. However, many Native American tribes knew other species of sage, including S. dorrii, which was widely used for headaches, sore throats and mouth ulcers. The Hopi burned and then inhaled it to treat epilepsy while the Kawaiisu believed it to be a powerful repellant for ghosts and spirits.
Sage in Ayurveda
Ayurvedic practitioners see sage as a pungent, bitter and astringent herb. It is mainly used to reduce Kapha in the body but its exact use depends upon whether it’s taken hot or cold. When taken hot, it’s thought to be good for both Kapha and Vata conditions. Taken cold, however, it reduces excess Pitta.
Sage in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Sage was unknown to tradition Chinese herbalists. In preparation for this article, we could find no reliable references to sage being used in traditional Chinese medicine until very recently.
Sage in Traditional European Herbalism
Traditional herbal medicine tells us a charming—if somewhat fantastical—story about a group of 4 thieves who were caught robbing the dead bodies of recently deceased plague victims. During their trial, so the legend goes, the men were offered leniency in exchange for their secret to not catching the dreaded disease. One version of the legend tells us that men used a vinegar made with sage and other herbs; in another version it was an aromatic oil they drank to fortify themselves.
Sage in Modern Herbalism
Today sage is used to treat digestive complaints and excessive sweating. It is also gargled for sore throats and mouth infections. Its Commission E monograph contraindicates its use during pregnancy or nursing.
Serious Medical Studies on Sage
Diabetes
A small 2009 article looked at the effect of sage tea on cholesterol and blood sugar. While the tea had no effect on blood sugar, it did lower total cholesterol levels in the small number of volunteers and increase antioxidant markers in the blood.
Ulcers & Gastrointestinal Infections
The bacterium H. pylori is now believed to be responsible for most stomach ulcers and its partner -in-crime, a bacterium known as C. jejuni is thought to be the cause of many intestinal infections. A 2009 study of more than 2 dozen herbal preparations found salvia to be among the most potent anti-microbials able to fight these infections.
Anti-Microbial Actions
Sage’s ability to kill harmful germs hasn’t been lost on aromatherapists. They often recommend it for use in sick rooms. And a 2009 study of sage oil found it effective against strains of bacteria, yeast and fungi—including several airborne strains.
References:
Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine.
Vogel, V. (1970). American Indian Medicine.
Frawley, D., Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs.
Moerman, D. (1998). Native American Ethnobotany.
Cam, S., et al. (2009). Sage tea drinking improves lipid profile and antioxidant defences in humans. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Cwikla, C., et al. (2009). Investigations into the antibacterial activities of phytotherapeutics against Helicobacter pylori and Campylobacter jejuni. Phytotherapy Research.
Bouaziz, M., et al. (2009). Disinfectant properties of essential oils from Salvia officinalis L. cultivated in Tunisia. Food and Chemical Toxicology.