Sage

Scientific Name(s): Salvia officinalis L.
Common Name(s): Broadleaf sage, Common sage, Culinary sage, Dalmatian sage, Garden sage, Golden sage, Kitchen sage, Meadow sage, Sage, True sage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 22, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Sage has been used in traditional medicine for its antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and antioxidant effects. It has been investigated for its potential in treating cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease, vasomotor symptoms, cancer, inflammation, and hyperlipidemia. However, no quality clinical trials are available to support these uses.

Dosing

Doses of 300 and 600 mg of dried sage leaf have been investigated in mood and cognitive performance studies. A standardized S. officinalis ethanolic extract at a dose of 333 mg was used in a study evaluating its effects on memory and attention in healthy older volunteers. A typical dosage has been described as 4 to 6 g/day of the sage leaf.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

S. officinalis is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. One study in pregnant Palestinian women found infrequent use of herbs, including sage, during pregnancy to be safe. Animal data suggest potential lactiferous effects. Until further information is available, sage should not be routinely recommended during pregnancy and lactation.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

In 2 clinical trials of healthy volunteers, no clinically significant adverse reactions were reported; however, in a study in patients with Alzheimer disease, adverse effects were similar to those reported with cholinesterase inhibitors. Cheilitis, stomatitis, dry mouth, and local irritation have been reported. Seizures have been reported in children, and contact dermatitis resulting from a topical preparation is noted in the literature.

Toxicology

No data.

Scientific Family

• Lamiaceae (mint)

Botany

Approximately 900 species and many varieties belong to the sage genus Salvia, including Salvia hispanica L. and Salvia miltiorrhiza. S. officinalis is a small, evergreen, perennial plant that is native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout much of the world. The plant can grow up to 1 m in height and has grayish leaves, short woody stems that branch extensively, and violet-blue flowers that bloom from June through September. S. officinalis should not be confused with red sage or desert brush sage, which are unrelated.Blumenthal 2000, Chevalier 1996, Leung 1980, Modabbernia 2013, Salvia 2009

History

The name Salvia derives from the Latin "salvere," meaning "to cure." Traditionally, sage and its oil have been used to treat a wide range of conditions. Ethanolic tinctures and decoctions have been used to treat inflammation of the oral cavity and GI tract, and sage has also been used as a tonic and antispasmodic.

Use of sage as a cognitive enhancer and treatment for cognitive decline dates back to the ancient Greeks.Kennedy 2011

The plant has been used topically as an antiseptic and astringent, as well as to manage excessive sweating. Sage tea has been ingested for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, diarrhea, gastritis, tonsillitis, and sore throat. The dried leaves have been smoked to treat asthma.

Dried sage leaf is used as a culinary spice and as a source of sage oil, which is obtained via steam di...