Sage

Sage comes from the Latin word meaning to heal and is used in both medicinal and culinary preparations. Sage (Salvia oficinalis) is native to the Mediterranean region, with its oils consisting of compounds such as flavonoids, terpenoids with important anticancer, antimicrobial and free radical scavenging properties (2). Camphor (20%) is the main essential oil, with its capacity increasing as the leaves expand (3). Moreover, Sage contains polyphenolic compounds such as carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid with antioxidants activities (4).

Sage can enhance memory and brain health

Many species of sage have been used for a range of treatments such as memory problems, depression, digestive, and circulation disturbances. Sage is known for its antioxidant content, and its ability to enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and quicken the senses (1).

In a clinical study of Alzheimer patients, a daily consumption of sixty drops of sage extract for four months demonstrated great improvements in cognitive functions with no adverse effects (5).

Healthy young adults have shown improvement in alertness, contentedness, calmness, and cognition after the administration of S. officinalis extracts (6). Even, by being exposed to the aroma of Sage can contribute to positive cognition and mood-enhancement (7)

Sage consumption for menopause

Menopause is a stage of life that all women experience in middle age, with it beginning in the age range of 45 to 55. Menopause is associated with a variety of physical and mental changes, as the ovaries secrete fewer female hormones, especially oestrogen. Menopausal symptoms include vasomotor changes, palpitations, anxiety and insomnia, osteoporosis, changes in the genital and urinary system and depression. Hot flashes and night sweats tend to be the most common, especially during night. Sage consumption has been demonstrated to reduce sweating during menopause and hot flashes (9).

Infused sage can reduce menstrual symptoms five days prior and five days during menstruation

A clinical study by Kalvani and colleagues demonstrated that Sage infusion is an effective remedy for menstrual pain. Fifty girls with dysmenorrhea received a sage infusion five days prior menstruation and five days during menstruation. Severity of pain, bleeding and dysmenorrhea duration were reduced, especially one hour after consumption (10).

1. Perry EK, Pickering AT, Wang WW, Houghton PJ, Perry NS. Medicinal plants and Alzheimer’s disease: from ethnobotany to phytotherapy. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1999;51(5):527–534. 

2. Hussain A, Anwar F, Iqbal T, Bhatti I. Antioxidant attributes of four Lamiaceae essential oils. Pak J Bot. 2011;43:1315–21.

3. Avato P, Fortunato I, Ruta C, D’ Elia R. Glandular hairs and essential oils in micro propagated plants of Salvia officinalis L. Plant Sci. 2005;169:29–36.

4. Baranauskiene R, Dambrauskiene E, Venskutonis P. Influence of harvesting time on the yield and chemical composition of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) Foodbalt. 2011:105–9

5. Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M. Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2003;28(1):53–9.

6. Kennedy DO, Pace S, Haskell C, Okello EJ, Milne A, Scholey AB. Effects of cholinesterase inhibiting sage (Salvia officinalis) on mood, anxiety and performance on a psychological stressor battery. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2006;31(4):845–52

7. Moss L, Rouse M, Wesnes KA, Moss M. Differential effects of the aromas of Salvia species on memory and mood. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2010;25(5):388–96

8. Bommer S., Klein P., Suter A. First time proof of sage’s tolerability and efficacy in menopausal women with hot flushes. Advances in Therapy. 2011;28(6):490–500. 

9. kalvandi R, Alimohammadi Sh, Pashmakin Z, Rajabi M. Ehe effective of medicinal plants of Melissa officinalis and Saliva officinalis on primary dysmenorrhea. Avicenna J Clin Med 2014; 21: 105-111.