Naturopathy

sage

Synonyms in a broader sense

Latin name: Salvia officialis

genus: Mint family

Common names: Noble sage, medicinal sage, garden sage, king sage, selve, Schuwen, Salbine, Salver, Salbikraut, Saphei, Zaffee and Salwie.

English: legend

General

The medicinal plant sage has been used for many health problems in the past.
The leaves and young shoot tips come as seasoning and as medicine in the Naturopathy for use. The sage thrives particularly well on calcareous, dry and warm slopes. The harvest and the collection time of the sage is from May to July.
The great medicinal properties of sage are due to its ingredients. This have an antiseptic effect (germicidal) and astringent.
The sage has a typical active ingredient that is said to have antibiotic power. It is a Bitter substance with the label Salvin.

history

In ancient Rome enjoyed the Medicinal plant Sage already great reputation. The Latin term "salvare" means to heal (sage salvia). In the sixth century came the plant with Benedictine monks across the Alps to Central Europe. Since became the sage Cultivated in monastery gardens.
Charlemagne recommended the spice to be grown in the gardens. Since the medieval times is the sage a popular kitchen spice and a Medicinal herb.
Originally native to the Mediterranean, sage is planted all over Europe and North America.

The plant

The Medicinal plant sage from the mint family is a knee-high, approximately 80 cm high, branched shrub with gray-green, felty, elliptical leaves with a notched edge.
in the Early summer the sage flowers in light blue, blue-violet, pink and white colors. The lower parts of the sage bush are usually braided. Dry and calcareous soils are his home.
In contrast to the false sage (ornamental shrub), only the young leaves persist on the upper side of the leaf in real sage.
The medicinal sage is also similar to our meadow sage, which however is of no importance due to the lack of essential oils.
The medicinal sage comes from the Mediterranean countries and is grown in our cultures. Sage leaves are considered fresh or dried seasoning or as medicine used.

Components and ingredients used

To medical use come the fresh and dried leaves of sage. The healing ingredients of the medicinal plant sage are the essential oils with the main ingredients Thujone, lineol and camphor, as well as tannins and triterpenes. The healing power of the sage leaves also unfolds its effect through its own typical active ingredient Salvin, a bitter substance. The cut sage leaves should be stored in a cool, dry place protected from light. Plastic containers should not be used for this.

Therapy and areas of application

The essential oils have an antimicrobial effect, the triterpene ursolic acid have an anti-inflammatory effect, and the tannins pull the sore skin together (= astringent).

The medicinal use of sage is particularly recommended for:

Excessive sweating: tannins inhibit sweat production, and sage is one of the most successful anti-perspirants. Foot baths with sage can help with sweaty feet or reduce night sweats due to menopausal symptoms.
for gastrointestinal complaints as well as loss of appetite, flatulence, diarrhea and intestinal inflammation: in smaller quantities, sage leaves also contain bitter substances that stimulate the appetite and gastrointestinal activity.
Inflammation of the skin
as a rinse aid and gargle for bleeding gums, inflammation of the oral mucosa and throat and for laryngitis (laryngitis)
Nervous disorders (anxiety disorders) and cramps in the muscles: in addition to valerian and St. John's wort, sage is recommended for calming; some studies prove the positive effects of sage.

Before using the medicinal plant sage, you should always consult a doctor.

Dosage forms

For the Making a sage tea you need cut sage leaves. The water must not be too hot, otherwise the essential oils and their active ingredients would evaporate.
Finished medicinal products you get as Dragees, drops or gels in the pharmacy. Recommended Daily dose of sage are 4 g to 6 g of sage leaves or 0.1 to 0.3 g of essential oil.
To one Health tea 1g to 1.5g sage leaves (cut) are needed to treat gastrointestinal complaints. These are poured over with 150 ml of hot water and strained after 10 minutes. You drink the tea half an hour before meals. A sage tea for gargling is made with 2.5 g of sage leaves (2 teaspoons) and 100 ml of hot water.
Inflamed areas of the mucous membrane can be treated with an undiluted alcoholic extract of sage several times a day.
To Prevention of sore throat are also Sage drops available at the pharmacy.
Also be Juices and creams as already mentioned if there is excessive perspiration offered in the pharmacy.

Combination with other medicinal plants

You can gargle and rinse with sage in equal parts Chamomile flowers Mix.Take 2 heaped teaspoons of this mixture, pour ¼ l of boiling water over it, let it steep for 15 minutes and strain it off.

Side effects

The essential oil of sage contains thujone a neurotoxin that possesses the property in high concentrations excessive palpitations, cramps, dizziness and nausea respectively.
Overdoses should avoided (more than 15 g of sage leaves per day).
However, no side effects are to be expected with the normal use of sage.
When preparing gargle solutions or teas, almost no thujone is released.
Finished medicinal products from alcoholic sage extracts must adhere to a certain upper limit due to the thujone content. This is why it is particularly important when using the essential oil Attention required.
Also used as a spice it does not cause any harm.
During the pregnancy should be sage leaves not internally be applied. By taking the sage while breastfeeding, the Reduced milk production become. Ointment solutions applied externally are usually harmless.