Part of the plant used for medicinal purposes: sage leaves (Salviae folium)
Other names: common sage, garden sage, golden sage, kitchen sage, true sage, culinary sage, Dalmatian sage, and broadleaf sage.
Description and harvesting
Sage is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). It grows in warm, sunny areas, but can also be planted in pots in apartments. It is a bit sensitive to cold and wind. It is recommended to transplant it in the garden every three years, otherwise it tends to die off. Small shoots and leaves are picked before flowering.
Constituents and medicinal use
Sage essential oil contains thujone, cineole, camphor and borneol. Thujone is toxic, but it is not released into water which is why it is entirely safe to use sage for tea. However, thujone is released into alcohol, so the internal use of sage tinctures is not recommended. Do not add it to homemade bitters! The side effects of thujone are nausea, vomiting, stomach and intestinal cramps, kidney damage, tremor and cramps.
Sage is used in various uses for healing purposes. It effectively manages gas and has antiseptic properties. It inhibits the reproduction of viruses and has bactericidal and fungicidal properties. Traditionally, it is used to treat digestive disorders, dyspepsia. The bitter substances in sage, such as carnosol, stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, which facilitates digestion. By lowering the functioning of the sweat glands, especially in the postmenopausal period, it is effective in the management of excessive sweating. To this end, it is added to tea blends for menopause symptoms. The tannins that it contains, such as rosemary acid, and especially the essential oil give it its anti-inflammatory properties; this is why it is used to treat oral cavity inflammation and pharyngitis, in the form of gargling. Sage also includes flavones and their glycosides, such as salvigenin. In cuisine, sage is added to fatty dishes as a spice.
Monk Simon Ašič’s product containing sage:
Sources:
1. Priročnik za nabiranje zdravilnih zelišč. Domača lekarna patra Simona Ašiča. Celjska Mohorjeva družba, Celje, 2014.
2. Galle-Toplak Katja. Zdravilne rastline na Slovenskem. Založba Mladinska knjiga, Ljubljana, 2002. 212-213.
3. Kreft S. Sodobna fitoterapija. Slovensko farmacevtsko društvo, Ljubljana, 2013. 262-264.
4. Assessment report on Salvia officinalis L., folium and Salvia officinalis L., aetheroleum. 2 Februar 2016 EMA/HMPC/150801/2015. European Medicines Agencies.
5. Karlin M. Slovenska imena naših zdravilnih rastlin. Priloga Farmacevtskega vestnika, št.1-3/XV. 20.
