A good Herb to Know -Sage

"For a long time, sage (Salvia) species have been used in traditional medicine for the relief of pain, protecting the body against oxidative stress, free radical damages, angiogenesis, inflammation, bacterial and virus infection, etc., Several studies suggest that sage species can be considered for drug development because of their reported pharmacology and therapeutic activities in many countries of Asia and Middle East, especially China and India. These studies suggest that Salvia species, in addition to treating minor common illnesses, might potentially provide novel natural treatments for the relief or cure of many serious and life-threatening diseases such as depression, dementia, obesity, diabetes, lupus, heart disease, and cancer. This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the botanical, chemical, and pharmacological aspects of sage (Saliva)."
From National Library of Medicine

Sage is an aromatic, complex plant with “virtues almost too numerous to mention” this has been said by many Herbalists regardless of their philosophy, throughout the ages.
Supposedly in medieval times there was a saying “Why should a man die whilst Sage grows in his garden” - I know the answer to that one...because he didn’t use it.

Most commonly, it is used in cooking to help with the digestion of fats. Sage definitely qualifies as a “bitter.” Bitters stimulate the Gallbladder to release bile to help with the digestion of fats, and while fats have a bad reputation, good fats are very much needed. But that's a different topic.

Sage is also unique in helping to balance fluids in the body. If you consume it hot, it is stimulating to increase salivation, sweating and internal secretion. Taken cold, it reduces sweating and fluid production. Sage is famous for stopping lactation. So if you’re nursing, you might want to avoid Sage unless you’re ready to stop.

Sage has a long history of use for gum and throat problems as rinses and gargles, swollen glands, and hoarseness. It is almost a specific for sore throats. 
Sage is also used for fevers (it induces sweating, bringing pathogens to the surface rather than driving them deeper into the system). It can preserve the nervous system when under assault by pathogens. A lot of things go on in the body in reaction to disease, and this is an excellent example of how herbs protect, adjust and strengthen the body during this fight, rather than just killing off the intruder as well as all the beneficial microorganisms which are our immune system. 

Sage helps with convulsions and shaking, which it also causes with excessive and prolonged use (limit to about three weeks and take two weeks off). This is called a homeopathic proving (It cures what it causes) so you want to use it moderately and take breaks in using it. All this, I deduct, makes it so useful for intermittent fevers we so often get with the flu. The alternating chills with fever that make us shiver.

Much like the more famous Red Sage root, Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), used in Chinese medicine, European Garden Sage ( S. Officinalis) has the same capacity to thin blood and remove coagulated blood. It reduces clotting in the blood vessels without releasing dangerous clots that would cause heart attacks, strokes, or thrombosis (Matthew Wood, Eva Graf). This I find important to know.
Needless to say, I have some of the Dan Shen root as well. I do like to make new friends with herbs, and I have to get to know them myself.

The gift of nature. You can often find close to you what you need, when you need it. 

Sage is reputed to help restore hair, and I imagine that might depend on the reason hair was lost. It is also claimed that it restores hair color. This too might depend on the reason, but it makes sense, considering the many things Sage does to restore and protect health. For hair, external use is suggested. I would recommend internal as well as external, since Sage also influences the endocrine system, and balances hormones, which could well contribute to hair loss. As a side note to improved hair, Nettles and Birch leaves are greatly beneficial as rinses as well. Both of these herbs also profoundly affect fluid balance.

Fun fact, when you really need Sage the skin takes on the appearance of Sage leaves. For skin, this means dry, and Sage can restore the fluid balance. Ironically, in excess, Sage is very drying. So you also want to watch for that as a sign that you might have enjoyed Sage too much.

Herbs are often used in combination, a formula, where herbs support one or more main herbs in action and others balance them out, and yet others might negate undesired actions. Like a good team. Formulas can hence be taken for longer. They are ideally personalized to your constitution and specific needs at the time.
How much Sage should you use? Typically, a pinch of the fresh or dried leaves (more fresh and less dried) infused in a cup of hot water makes a nice tea, or as a tincture from fresh or dried leaves, 3 - 30 drops 1-3x/day. Tinctures are easy to make by filling a jar with herb (somewhat packed) and pouring Vodka or Brandy over it, letting it sit with occasional shaking for a minimum of 2 weeks. This is called the “folk method” of tincturing, which works very well. 

Personally, I prefer to mix my own menstruum (extraction liquid) with Graves (95% alcohol, since 100% does not exist naturally) and distilled water, so I can adjust the alcohol: water ratio to the herb I want to tincture. Generally, I like 50:50, while Vodka has 40% alcohol to 60% water. This might sound a little technical, but it really is very simple. I don’t even strain the herbs out because the tincture only gets stronger over time. Decant some tincture in a dropper bottle and dilute with a little more distilled water if you like to make it more palatable, and use as needed. This is an extremely convenient way to take herbs. You can also put the drops in some beverage, so you don’t even taste them. Compared to tinctures you can buy, this is also extremely inexpensive, of better quality, and you know what’s in your medicine. Just be aware, once you start this, you might find yourself wanting a herbal medicine cabinet. That is a good thing. If you do, I’ve got more ideas of what you can do to fill that.


Disclaimer, As always, don’t take my word for any of this, do your own research and if you have any medical conditions or take medication (yes, even herbs) do talk to your Doctor. If s/he doesn’t want to hear about herbs or says “yeah, yeah, it can’t hurt” find another doctor. If you are on blood thinners already, especially Warfarin, there is a good chance most herbs could pose a problem. “All natural” does not mean always harmless, especially in interaction with chemical drugs. But I’m also not saying “you should not self medicate” as many disclaimers say. If you’ve been to all the doctors, they say you’re fine, but you’re not, I support exploring other options intelligently. Learn and try. If Anything makes you worse, stop. If it makes you feel better, keep doing it. You are in your body, learn to monitor it and listen to it. It’s simple, it is only something we’ve been taught to forget.

And science is really catching up, there is SO much information out there now, accessible for everyone, scientifically backed, and medically approved, there is no reason to not make it part of one's health protocol and home apothecary.

Have fun, but educate yourself, and more is never better. The right dosage of the right thing is what causes the best results.