Sage Herb Picture
Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis
The many varieties of common sage are all shrub-like herbs with rough, wrinkled leaves. Sage is a perennial herb with gray-green, pebble like, textured leaves in a long, oval shape. It grows wild in the Mediterranean regions like Britain, Europe, Spain, Turkey, USA. Sage is also widely cultivated for its culinary and medicinal properties.
Sage Benefits
New research suggests that sage may restore mental function and improve memory. The herb acts on the cortex of the brain thereby eliminating mental exhaustion and improving concentration.
Sage Tea
Preparation of sage tea: It can be prepared by pouring a cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried sage leaves with lid on. It should be infused for few minutes before straining and sweetening with honey, if desired. In case of fresh leaves, a tablespoon of chopped sage leaves can be used and the tea be prepared similarly.
Sage Tea Benefits: Sage tea is beneficial in coping with stress. It is astringent, sedative and expels gas; it clears the respiratory tract, makes a good gargle for sore throats and helps overcome colds.
Sage is useful for night sweats as it reduces sweating. It also reduces milk flow in nursing mothers prior to weaning, prevents the formation of kidney stones by dissolving residues of uric acid, and regularizes menstruation. An infusion of sage can be applied to the scalp to reduce dandruff.
Precautions: In high doses, sage can overstimulate and should be avoided by anyone who suffers from epilepsy. It should also be avoided in early pregnancy.
