Learn the Herbs: Sage

You’ve likely heard about sage before. You may even have some on hand, in your kitchen’s spice collection. However, its range of applications is not limited to cooking.
Sage is scientifically known as Salvia officinalis. It is a member of the mint family, and is closely related to rosemary.

Since ancient times, sage has been used for a large number of purposes, ranging from snake bites to protection from evil spirits. Some uses have remained planted in the history books, but many have proven their effectiveness in the modern world.

Sage is full of useful nutrients. It contains A, C, E, K and B6 vitamins, as well as iron, manganese, magnesium, copper and zinc. Furthermore, it is a source of beneficial elements  like chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, rutin and ellagic acid, which all positively impact the body.

Brain enhancer

Sage is well loved for its positive effect on the nervous system. It boasts the ability to support memory, as well as increase focus and concentration. Thanks to the high level of antioxidants, sage helps to defend the brain. Moreover, it appears to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, which takes part in the transmission of nervous excitement in the central nervous system. 

Research has shown that in adults, sage not only increases memory, but also boosts mood, calmness, alertness, and contentedness.

Inflammation blocker

Sage is known for its anti-inflammatory abilities. A study conducted in 2013 showed that sage oil also has an antibacterial effect, thus being effective at relieving mild inflammatory conditions of the skin, such as sunburn. Also, it seems to be effective for soothing inflammation of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal inflammation.

Cholesterol balancer

Sage has demonstrated its effectiveness for normalizing high cholesterol and blood sugar levels. There was a study in which 40 people with high cholesterol and diabetes took sage leaf extract for 3 months. At the end of the study, it was found that the participants experienced lower glucose and cholesterol levels.