Botanical Index No. 889

Sage

salvia officinalis

Medicinal Actions

Antialzheimeran, Antiarthritic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticholinesterase, Antidiabetic, Antidiaphoretic, Antihydrotic, Antiinflammatory, Antilactagogue, Antioxidant, Antiperspirant, Antiproteolytic, Antiseptic, Antisialagogue, Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Astringent, Carminative, Choleretic, Convulsant, CNS Depressant, COX-2 Inhibitor, Deodorant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Estrogenic, Expectorant, Fungicide, Hypotensive, Immunostimulant, Intoxicant, Irritant, Laxative, Memorigenic, Myorelaxant, Secretagogue, Secretolytic, Sedative, Stomachic, Tonic, Colic

Primary Conditions Treated

Anaphrodisiac Aperitif Collyrium Demulcent Dentifrice Panacea Vermifuge Viristat Vulnerary Acne Alzheimer’s Alopecia Amenorrhea Angina Anorexia Aphtha Arthrosis Asthma Bacteria Bleeding Body Odor Bronchosis Bug Bite Cancer gum mouth Candida Canker Sore Catarrh Cold Constipation Cough Cramp Cystosis Debility Depression Dermatosis Diabetes Diarrhea Dysentery Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Dysphagia Dyspnea Dysuria Enterosis Escherichia Fatigue Fever Flu Fungus Gas Gastrosis Gingirrhagia Gingivosis Glossosis Halitosis Headache Hepatosis High Blood Pressure Hoarseness Hot Flash Hyperhydrosis Hyperlactation Hysteria Immunodepression Infection Infertility Inflammation Insomnia Laryngosis Lethargy Leukorrhea Malaria Measles Mucososis Mycosis Nephrosis Nervousness Neurosis Night Sweats Odontosis Ophthalmia Pain Perspiration Pharyngosis Phthisis Pulmonosis Rheumatism Rhinosis Salmonella Shigella Sore Sore Throat Spermatorrhea Splenosis Sprain Stomatosis Tonsilosis Toothache Tuberculosis Tumor Uterosis Uvulosis Virus Water Retention Worm Wound

General Dosage

4–6 g/day; 4–6 g herb; 2 tsp cut herb/cup water; 1–4 ml liquid herb extract; 1–4 g leaf, or in tea, 3 ×/day; 2–3 tsp leaf in hot tea; boil 100 g leaf/liter wine 2 minutes; 2–4 tbsp fresh leaf; 3–6 g dry leaf; 4.5 g dry leaf/2 ml alcohol/23 ml water; 1–4 ml liquid leaf extract 3 ×/day; 0.1–0.3 g EO.

Safety & Contraindications

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects — Class 2b, 2d. Not for long-term use. Do not exceed recommended dose. Alcoholic extracts contraindicated in pregnancy. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. Commission E reports for oral use of leaf, contraindications: pregnancy; adverse effects: prolonged use of EO/alcoholic extracts may produce epileptiform cramps. Other sources report leaf, as herbal tea, should not be used for prolonged period. “Contraindicated in pregnancy. May interfere with anticonvulsant and hypoglycemic therapies; may potentiate or synergize other sedatives. Human poisoning has followed ingestion of the convulsant EO for acne. In rats, sage oil is subclinically, clinically, and lethally convulsant at 300, 500, and 3200 mg/kg, respectively. CAN cautions that thujone and camphor in the volatile oil can be convulsant and toxic. LD50 = 2600 orl rat, LD50 = 5000 ind rbt. Taking more than 15 g or prolonged overuse can lead to thujone-induced convulsions, dizziness, hot flashes, and tachycardia. No more than 1 cup tea/day during pregnancy, max, for no more than 1 week.

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