Sage
(Salvia officinalis)
Energetics: Warming. Drying.
Taste: Pungent. Bitter.
Tissue States: Laxity. Dampness/Stagnation.
Systems Affected: Brain. Nervous system. Digestive system. Respiratory system.
Parts Used: Leaves
Key Components: Camphor. Thujone. Cineole. Flavonoids. Phenolic acids (rosemarinic acid). Tannins. Bitters. Volatile oils.
Preparations & dosage: Infusion: Essential oil: Tincture. Tooth powder. Food.
Actions:
Foundational: Aromatic. Astringent. Bitter. Stimulant.
Primary: Diaphoretic. Carminative. Expectorant. Blood moving.
Secondary: Antiseptic. Antispasmodic. Antibacterial. Antimicrobial.
Uses:
Moving stagnation in the digestive system. Helps the body to more easily digest fatty meats. As a bitter tonic for the liver it can also help lower cholesterol.
For the mouth and throat: Any kind of damp, swollen, lax condition. Tightening lax gums. Ulcers. Toothaches. Cold sores. Canker sores. Sore throats that feel damp & cloggy. Laryngitis. Tonsillitis. Tissues that are lax and have lost their tone. The antimicrobial properties, at the same time, can help to address any infection there may be.
As a Blood mover: Stagnant conditions of the blood such as blood clots and varicose veins.
Sore throats that feel damp & cloggy. Tissues that are lax and have lost their tone.
Headaches (equal parts Sage, rosemary, peppermint, wood betony).
Type 2 diabetes.
Hot flashes.
High cholesterol.
Used for conditions of excess fluid secretion: Sweating including night sweats, slow milk production, diarrhea, cold, flu and sinus congestion. Bladder infections.
Alzheimer's: By inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter that supports both memory and cognitive function. It has even been shown to help with these important brain functions in healthy people as well. It can also help improve the mood of both young and old. Also said to help keep one more alert. See studies done on this amazing herb for memory and cognitive function below. (I wonder if it can help chelate metal from the brain...)
Combines well with:
Identifying:
Growing:
Harvesting:
Contraindications: Nursing mothers should avoid unless they want to dry up their milk supply. David Hoffman recommends no more than 15g sage per dose due to the thujone content. Can cause indigestion on some people.
Sources:
The Way of Herbs: Michael Tierra. Pg 35, 37, 80
Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: Rosemary Gladstar. Pg 86-89
Studies:
Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12605619
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