Medicinal properties of sage

Internal use

• Astringent and antiseptic: in gargles, sage calms sore throat and smoker's cough. It is also used in cases of gingivitis (sage has anti-inflammatory properties), pharyngitis, tonsillitis or canker sore.
• Febrifuge: it helps lower fever.
• Nerve tonic: stimulating the adrenal glands, sage is recommended in cases of depression, asthenia, dizziness and hypotension.
• Digestive: sage facilitates gastric digestion. It also helps to treat vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
• Hormonal stimulant: sage helps regulate menstrual cycles as well as calm period pain. It fights hot flashes at the time of menopause, as well as other disorders related to this period. Among the other gynecological conditions treated by sage, let us quote again the leucorrhea.
• Antiperspirant: sage is the most effective plant to fight against excessive sweating and to regulate it.

External use

Astringent and antiseptic: Fresh sage leaves can be used as first aid in the event of a bite or sting. Sage disinfects wounds and helps in healing.

Usual therapeutic indications

Oral and pharyngeal disorders, digestive disorders, regulation of perspiration, menopausal disorders and those related to the menstrual cycle.

Other therapeutic indications demonstrated

Fièvre, effet hypoglycémiant.

Use and dosage of sage

Dosage

• For sore throats, sage tea can be prepared and used as gargles up to five times a day. In this case, 1 to 3 g of dried leaves are to be infused in a cup of boiling water for ten minutes. Internally, the recommended dosage is three cups per day.
• To facilitate digestion, 2 ml of tincture should be swallowed with a glass of water twice a day.

Contraindications

Sage is contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women, in children, in cases of known allergy or epilepsy (not for use in food). It is formally contraindicated in the event of a history of hormone-dependent cancers.

Side effects

By respecting the doses, sage only very rarely causes side effects, which in this case result in nausea or vomiting. On the other hand, beyond 15 g per day, it is likely to cause palpitations, hot flashes, convulsions and dizziness.

Interactions with medicinal plants or supplements

No known interaction.

Drug interactions

Due to the amount of vitamin K contained in sage and its anticoagulant action, this plant should be used with caution in people undergoing anticoagulant medication. Sage is also likely to interact with medicines for anxiety (benzodiazepines), mental disorders (neuroleptics) and epilepsy.