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Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis
Plant Family: Salvia
Common name: Broad-leaved White Sage, Common Sage, Garden Sage, Narrow-leaved White Sage, Red Sage, Salbei, Salvia salvatrix
Origin: Sage is an evergreen perennial originally growing from Spain along the Mediterranean coast up to and including the east side of the Atlantic, Croatia and Southern Europe.
History: Sage is named from the Latin salvare, 'to save'. This name was then corrupted to Sauija and Sauge (Fench) and Sawge (Old English)
A beautiful legend about Sage is that when Mary was fleeing from Herod no other plant would give her shelter but Sage. Virgin Mary told the Sage plant: 'From now to eternity you will be the favorite flower of mankind. I give you the power to heal man of all illness and save him from death as you have done for me.'
The Romans used Sage in their baths to ease :
- aching muscles
- sore, tired feet
The American Native Indian used Sage in Sweat Lodge ceremonies. This was called 'smudging'
A 13th century verse states: 'Why should a man die, whilst Sage grows in his garden?'
Tradition: Sage was
- a panacea for immortality
- burned at the altar or in a sacred space to consecrates the area
- burned in the home to remove impurities, banish evil, and to provide protection
- used for bringing prosperity
- used in healing amulets, incenses, and sachets
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Plant Constituents
Contains:
- estrogen
- phenolic acids
- flavenoids
- resin
- saponins
- silica
- tannins
- thujone
- volatile Oil
Usage
Medicinal Parts Used: Leaves, whole herb
Sage is used for:
Bacterial and Viral Conditions
- retro viruses, e.g. Herpes, HIV, etc.
- staphylococcus infections
Brain and Nervous System Conditions
- aids the memory
- cramps
- delerium associated with fevers
- depression
- disorders of the spinal cord
- eases mental exhaustion
- headaches (combined with Peppermint, Rosemary, and Wood Betony)
- nervous conditions
- nervous excitement, associated with brain or nerve diseases
- paralysis
- strengthens the powers of concentration
- trembling of limbs
- vertigo
- weak nerves
Cardiovascular Conditions
Female Conditions
- amenorrhea (irregular menstruation)
- decreasing milk flow in lactating women during weaning
- dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
- hemorrhage from the lungs or stomach
- leucorrhoea
- night sweats and hot flushes during menopause, combined with Horsetail and Valerian
- regulates the menstrual cycle
- reduces perspiration (because of its estrogenic properties)
- tonic after childbirth
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- abdominal troubles
- all stomach troubles
- diarrhea
- eliminates mucous congestion in the stomach
- enteritis
- flatulence (gas)
- gastritis
- increases the appetite
- rectifies intestinal troubles
- stimulates the digestive system
- weak stomach
Genitourinary Conditions
Glandular Conditions
Liver Conditions
- biliousness
- liver complaints
Respiratory Tract Conditions
- colds
- dispels phlegm from the respiratory organs and stomach
- eliminates mucous congestion in the respiratory passages and stomach
- influenza
Sage is a good gargle for:
- laryngitis
- sore throat
- tonsillitis
- ulcerated throat
Chewing the fresh leaves soothes:
Other
Sage is a good gargle for:
- inflammation of tooth pulp
- loose and bleeding teeth
- preventing excessive flow of saliva
- ulcerated or receding gums
- ulcerated gums and mouth
Externally: In a lotion, salve or wash, Sage is useful:
- as a hair rinse to remove dandruff
- for insect bites
- for itchy skin
- for skin eruptions
- for treating sores
- to stop bleeding in all cuts
Other Uses:
- condiment added to meat (breaks down the fat in meat)
- cosmetics
- hair dye
- tooth powder
Action:
- antibacterial [an agent that destroys bacteria; bactericide]
- antihydrotic [an agent that reduces or suppresses perspiration]
- antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
- antispasmodic [an agent that relieves or checks spasms or cramps]
- antiviral [an agent that destroys viruses]
- aphrodisiac [an agent for arousing or increasing sexual desire or potency]
- astringent [an agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges]
- carminative [an agent for easing griping pains, colic and expelling gas from the intestines]
- stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy]
- styptic [an agent that contracts tissues; astringent; specifically, a hemostatic agent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels]
- tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]
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Precautions
Caution:
- Avoid during pregnancy as it may have a stimulating effect on the muscle of the womb
- Extended or excessive use of Sage can cause symptoms of poisoning
Oil
- Sage Oil is a violent epileptiform convulsant
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