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Medicinal Plant: Sage
| By goGreen | April 21, 2012 |  |
Family • Lamiaceae
Sage
Salvia officinalis
SCARLET SAGE
Common Names | |
| Common sage | Meadow sage |
| Garden sage | Dalmatian sage |
| True sage | Spanish sage |
| Scarlet sage | |
Botany
A perennial shrub with wiry and squared stems. Leaves are opposite. grayish green, softly hairy or velvety. long stalked with round-toothed margins. Flowers are axillary, in whorls of 4 to 8, tubular, purple, blue or white.
Distribution
Recently introduced; cultivated in the Bagiuo area.
Chemical constituents and characteristics
Anhidrotic.
Oils are antiseptic, antibacterial, astringent and irritant.
Some important volatile constituents are a-thujone, b-thujone, 1,8-cineole and b-caryophyllene.
Contains terpene, camphor and salvene.
Parts utilized
Leaves.
Uses
Folkloric
Becuase of it antiseptic and astringent properties, used for sore throats, mouth irritations, cuts and bruises.
Used for snake bites.
Used for drying up perspiration.
Some studies claim it lowers blood sugars in diabetics.
Culinary
Lemony and pleasantly bitter.
Young leaves eaten fresh in salads.
Used for omelets, soups and poultry stuffing.
An enhancing condiment for lamb, fish, duck, goose, artichoke. cheese, beans.
Cosmetic
infusions used to color the hair silver or gray.
Used as an astringent after-shave.
Used for making culinary wreaths.
Studies
• Studies have shown sage slows down the release of enzymes that break down the neurotransmitter, acetylcholie; and inhibition of this enzyme can improve mood with maintaining optimal levels of acetylcholine. A study using 300 to 600 mg of sage leaf extract showed some benefit in alertness and calmness. An alternative to the capsules, a decoction of tsp dried sage in 1 cup of water (Do not use if pregnant).
• Alzheimer’s Disease: A study of SO extract in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease showed significant benefits in cognition possibly through cholinesterase inhibition. Mild agitation side effects noted in the placebo group may suggest an additional advantage for use in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Antibacterial: Study of Salvia officinalis essential oil and its fractions showed significant antibacterial effect against S aureus and B subtilis.
• Acute Pharyngitis: Study showed a 15% sage spray to be a safe and convenient treatment for patients with acute pharyngitis, with a relief superior to placebo.
• Cholinesterase Inhibiting Property: Study confirms the cholinesterase inhibiting property of S officinalis and improved mood and cognitive performance following single-dose use in healthy young participants.
• Antioxidant: Tunisian study of oils produced from the aerial parts of SO showed it to possess strong antioxidant properties.
• Liver antioxidant: An inv-vivo study of a traditional sage water infusion in mice and rats dhoerf bioactivities and improvement in liver antioxidant potential.
• Antimutagenic: Study demonstrated the antimutagenic activity of volatile sage terpenes, suggesting further antimutagenesis and anticarcinogenesis studies.
• Metformin-like effect: Study effects on fasting glucose and its metformin-like effects on rat hepatocyctes suggest sage may be a useful food supplement for T2D.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Capsules, dried leaves.
Source: Philippine Medicinal Plants
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