There’s a reason why Simon and Garfunkul included sage as one of their herbs in their famous song, Scarborough Fair. The medicinal benefits of sage are many.
Used for centuries in herbal medicine, sage has been used to treat a variety of ailments and illnesses.
Sage is a beautiful herb to grow in your home garden. Its purple and green hues stand out in borders and beds. But this herb isn’t just grown for its looks alone. It can be used to flavor poultry, cleanse a home, and is one of the many herbs used as medicine.
In fact, it has numerous medicinal benefits that make it a valuable addition to any home remedy arsenal.
In this blog post, we’ll be exploring some of the amazing medicinal benefits of sage and why it’s an herb that should be included in your herbal medicine cabinet.
Helpful Products from Amazon for Using Sage
What is Sage?
Like most good things, sage is a native herb that comes from the Mediterranean region of the world. It is an evergreen shrub, which means it keeps its color even in the cold of winter. The plant can grow quite large, sometimes reaching three feet in height.
In fact, my sage has taken over the better part of one of my raised beds and needs to be pruned back yearly.
The one plant that I grow, produces enough sage for not only my family but for some friends and neighbors as well.
People absolutely love fresh or dried herbs as gifts!
The leaves of the sage plant are quite lovely. They are a grayish-green color with slight hues of purple.
They look beautiful in garden beds or hidden between various flowers as filler space in edible landscapes.
Its strong, pungent aroma makes it a natural form of pest control and a perfect companion plant for plants in the brassicas family such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale to name a few.
The leaves of the sage plant can be used dry or fresh for both culinary and medicinal purposes.
The benefits that sage offers are plentiful. From its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer-fighting properties, sage is a powerhouse of goodness!
Important vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and iron are all found in the leaves of the sage plant.
It’s no wonder that sage has been been used as a medicinal herb for centuries.
Its healing qualities have been used to treat things from the common cold and sore throats to menstrual cramps and indigestion.
In addition, it can be applied topically to treat cuts burns as well as irritated skin.
Currently, sage is being researched for its possible medicinal benefits on diseases like Alzheimer’s, asthma, depression, epilepsy, and diabetes.
Traditional Uses for Sage
Sage has been utilized for a variety of medical purposes throughout history and in different civilizations for thousands of years.
- In Egypt, used for fevers, colds and sterility.
- Greeks and Romans used it to treat mental illness, ulcers, and snakebite injuries.
- In traditional Chinese medicine, and it is believed to enhance digestion and lessen inflammation.
- In Ayurveda medicine, used to balance the three doshas and as an aphrodisiac.
- By the Native Americans to cleanse an area and fend off evil spirits. Also, it is utilized to cure a number of physical conditions like headaches and toothaches.
How to Grow Sage
Sage can be started indoors from seeds six weeks before the last frost date in your area. It is also an ideal candidate for winter sowing.
If you do not feel confident quite yet starting your own seeds, sage can be purchased from a local nursery.
Sage enjoys well-draining soil and does well in raised beds, or incorporated into a garden scape. It also does well planted in containers. Be sure to use a container with ample drainage and loose, organic soil.
How to Use Sage Medicinally
Whenever we are using herbs as a treatment for illness, we want to pay attention to the proper dosage.
Pregnant women and people with epilepsy should avoid drinking large amounts of sage tea, as it contains thujone, a chemical that can be toxic in large doses.
Sage is most frequently consumed as a tea. Many health food stores sell sage tinctures and tea bags.
Moreover, sage oil can be utilized to cure a variety of ailments.
Sage oil should only be administered topically, keeping it away from the eyes and mucous membranes.
In addition, breathing in the steam from a sage infusion may help with respiratory issues.
Before using any type of sage as a medication, anyone with pre-existing medical issues should consult their doctor.
How to Use Sage as a Tea
Instructions:
- Boil the water in a small saucepan.
- Place the sage leaves in a tea strainer or a small mesh bag.
- Once the water has boiled, remove it from the heat and pour it over the sage leaves.
- Let the tea steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove the tea strainer or bag and discard the sage leaves.
- If desired, add honey or lemon for flavor.
- Serve the sage tea hot or let it cool and serve it over ice.
How to Use Sage as a Gargle
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of dried sage leaves
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
- Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan.
- Add the dried sage leaves to the water and reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Let the sage leaves simmer in the water for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes.
- Strain the sage leaves from the tea and discard them.
- Add the apple cider vinegar to the tea and stir well.
- Allow the mixture to cool until it is comfortable to gargle with.
- Gargle with the mixture for about 30 seconds, then spit it out.
- Repeat the gargling process until you have used all of the tea mixture.
Precautions When Using Sage
Sage is safe to consume in small amounts, but like any herbal medication, it is important to seek the advice of a healthcare professional.
Consuming too much sage could result in the consumption of unsafe amounts of thujone, a neurotoxin located in the plant. It is recommended that those who suffer from epilepsy use caution when consuming sage tea.
Medical opinion should all be always be consulted before consuming any herbal remedy. Sage consumed in small amounts has been found to be safe, but as we said consulting a medical professional is recommended with any herbal remedy
Potential interactions with other drugs and dietary supplements are always a factor.
Sage should generally not be used during pregnancy as it could be harmful to both the mother and the fetus.
Finally, stop using sage and consult a licensed healthcare professional if you notice any negative effects after taking it.
Final Thoughts
Sage is a wonderful herb with many medicinal benefits.
It can be consumed freshly harvested from a garden or dried for use over the winter months,
Sage is a safe herb that makes a delicious, earthy tea.
With its unique flavor, versatility, and health benefits, sage is an excellent choice for adding some herbal power to your diet.
Let us know if you will be adding this herb in your medical herbal arsenal this year!
