SAGE
Tons of vitamins, Tons of Antioxidants. Sage packs 10% of your daily vitamin K needs. Sage also contains small amounts of magnesium, zinc, copper, vitamins A, C, and E. Sage has antimicrobial effects, which can neutralize microbes that promote dental plaque. E Sage Essential – oil was shown to kill and halt the spread of Candida albicans, a fungus that may also cause cavities. One review noted that sage may treat throat infections, dental abscesses, infected gums, and mouth ulcers. Sage can also be taken internally as a liquid, spray, lozenge, capsule, or tablet. Applying a cream containing common sage (Salvia officinalis) and rhubarb (Rheum officinale and Rheum palmatum) to cold sores may be about as effective as acyclovir (Zovirax) cream.
Sage is used for digestive problems, including loss of appetite, gas (flatulence), stomach pain (gastritis), diarrhea, bloating, and heartburn. Sage is applied directly to the skin for cold sores; gum disease (gingivitis); sore mouth, throat or tongue; and swollen, painful nasal passages. Some people inhale sage for asthma.
Heard of the Hot Flashes? A Description of the feeling women get during menopause, excessive sweating, irritability and you know the rest. Sage has long been used to fight the effects of the “Hot Flashes”.
Remedy against diabetes lowering Blood Sugar for both type 1 and type 2. Another study in mice with type 2 diabetes found that sage tea acts like metformin — a drug prescribed to manage blood sugar in people with the same disease. Taking common sage (Salvia officinalis) three times per day for 2 months seems to reduce “bad” low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol and blood fats called triglycerides, and increase “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, in people with high cholesterol.
People who regularly use sage as a spice seem to have a 54% lower chance of developing lung cancer compared to those who don’t use sage.
In one study, 39 participants with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease consumed either 60 drops (2 ml) of a sage extract supplement or a placebo daily for four months. A recent review of studies showed that species of sage could positively impact cognitive skills and protect against neurological disorders. A 2005 study showed that common sage improved memory and cognition (thinking ability). In addition, increased dosages were related to improvements in mood, and feeling alert, calm, and content. Taking extracts of two different sage species (Salvia officinalis and Salvia lavandulaefolia) for 4 months seems to improve learning, memory and information processing in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
It has a long history of use in Egypt, Rome, and Greek medicine, as well as within Native American healing traditions. As far as burning sage is concerned, dried sage is burned as a possible way to heal, protect, increase wisdom, and boost defense against disease. Burning sage, also known as smudging, involves literally burning the sage leaves and letting the smoke purify the air in your home. Poor air quality may be linked to various health conditions. In this way, burning sage is seen as a cost-effective way to purify the air (to an extent). This is because sage is thought to have antimicrobial properties that help kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that burning sage will create smoke, which can cause health problems for individuals who are prone to asthma and other respiratory conditions.
WARNING:
(NOT ALL SPECIES OF SAGE ARE THE SAME)
Taking sage during pregnancy is LIKELY UNSAFE because of the possibility of consuming thujone, a chemical found in some sage. Thujone can bring on a woman’s menstrual period, and this could cause a miscarriage. Avoid sage if you are breast-feeding, too. There is some evidence that thujone might reduce the mother’s milk supply.
Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia) might increase blood pressure in some people with high blood pressure, while common sage (Salvia officinalis) might lower blood pressure in people with blood pressure that is already low. Be sure to monitor your blood pressure.
One species of sage (Salvia officinalis) contains significant amounts of thujone, a chemical that can trigger seizures.
Brought to you by Better Herb News
Gary Davis
