What Are the Benefits of Sage? What Is Sage Good For?

Medicinal and aromatic plants have been widely used throughout history for disease prevention and treatment. The use of these plants is not limited to medical purposes; they have been utilized in various sectors as well. Sage is a valuable medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The scientific name of sage is Salvia Officinalis L., and there are 900 species of it worldwide. Our country, being rich in this plant, contains 87 species. The name "sage" comes from the Latin word "Salveo," which means to heal or restore. Due to its chemical components, sage is frequently used for therapeutic purposes in treatment. Sage is a highly effective plant that not only fights bacterial and fungal infections but is also beneficial in reducing tumors in cancer diseases. Recent studies have also shown that the plant exhibits antioxidant activity. There are various methods of application for sage in folk medicine, with the most common being brewed tea. The method of using sage varies depending on the existing illness. Adaçayı içerdiği kimyasal bileşenlerden ötürü tedavide terapötik amaçla oldukça sık kullanılmaktadır. Adaçayı bakteri enfeksiyonlarına, mantar enfeksiyonlarına karşı etkili olmanın yanında kanser hastalıklarında tümörlerin küçültülmesinde dahi faydalı olan oldukça etkili bir bitkidir. Son yapılan çalışmalarda bitkinin antioksidan aktivite gösterdiği de ortaya konmuştur. Adaçayının halk arasında oldukça çeşitli uygulanış biçimleri bulunmaktadır. En yaygın kullanım şekli ise demleme usulü yapılan çaydır. Adaçayının kullanılış şekli mevcut hastalığa göre değişiklik göstermektedir.

How to Use Sage?

Sage has a wide variety of uses. Depending on these uses, the method of consumption may vary. It can be consumed either dried or fresh. The various methods of using sage include:

Gargling/Oral Rinse: If sage is to be used for mouth sores, canker sores, sore throat, or pharyngitis, it is prepared as a mouthwash. For this, 3 teaspoons of dried sage leaves are added to 2 cups of water and boiled. After boiling, the leaves are left to steep for a while and then strained. This infusion is used as a gargle at regular intervals throughout the day.

Sage Vinegar: If sage is to be stored for long periods without spoiling, it can be turned into vinegar. The flowering parts of the sage plant are used for this process. Sage flowers are added to a jar with grape vinegar and left in a warm place or under sunlight for 2 weeks. If kept in sunlight, it should be shaken at regular intervals. After 2 weeks, it is strained, and the sage vinegar is ready for use.

Sitz Bath: For painful conditions in the anal area, such as anal fistula or hemorrhoids, sage water is prepared for use in a sitz bath. For this, two handfuls of sage leaves are soaked in cold water overnight. The next day, this water is heated until just boiling and then removed from heat. The hot water is left to cool for about 5 minutes and then strained before use.

Making Tea: If sage is to be used for balancing sugar levels, alleviating menopause and premenstrual syndrome symptoms, or regulating the digestive system, it can be prepared as tea and consumed throughout the day. The classic boiling and steeping method is used for this.

Infusion Method: Another tea preparation method, infusion involves pouring boiling water over dried sage instead of boiling it, and letting it steep for 5-10 minutes. It is then strained and consumed. The sage infusion can be used both for drinking and for applying to hair to maintain its color.

What Is Sage Used For?

Sage is one of the medicinal plants that have been widely used from past to present. Although it is mostly used for medicinal purposes, it is also utilized as a spice and flavoring agent. Additionally, sage is used in landscaping, the cosmetic industry, dye, and food industries. Other benefits of sage include:

• Used in the perfume industry and soap production due to its aromatic scent,
• Acts as a repellent against insects and flies,
• Exhibits antibacterial effects,
• Added as a preservative to deli products such as meat and chicken to extend shelf life,
• Relieves sore throat,
• Accelerates the healing of mouth ulcers,
• Shows antimicrobial effects in tonsillitis,
• Speeds up recovery in gum inflammations,
• Revitalizes the liver,
• Regulates the digestive system,
• Included in deodorant formulations for its ability to prevent sweating and eliminate body odor,
• Positively affects the release of estrogen hormones, helping to ease changes during the pre-menopausal and menopausal periods,
• Reduces excessive salivation in Parkinson's patients,
• Helps alleviate gas in the intestines,
• Assists in balancing blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes,
• Helps relieve upper respiratory issues such as sore throat, mouth sores, gum infections, and nasal congestion and discharge.

How to Brew Sage Tea?

What Are the Dangers of Sage?

Sage is a widely used plant due to its broad range of applications. When consumed in the right amounts and frequency, sage provides benefits to many systems, from the digestive system to the respiratory system. However, there is a common misconception in society that herbal products do not have any harmful effects. In reality, prolonged and frequent use of plants can lead to unwanted effects due to the toxic substances they contain. Therefore, the unconscious consumption of plants and herbal products should be restricted.

As with all plants, exceeding the therapeutic dose limits of sage can lead to toxicity and associated harmful effects. The harmful effects caused by sage include:

• Blood pressure imbalances, often resulting in elevated blood pressure due to high doses and frequency of use,
• Convulsions resembling epilepsy,
• Disruption of balance,
• Increased heart rate,
• Dizziness,
• Hot flashes,
• Skin rashes and itching related to allergic reactions,
• Widespread muscle contractions in the body.

It is believed that the factors causing these harmful effects in sage are the components thujone and camphor present in the plant.

Who Should Avoid Using Sage?

Studies have reported that sage consumption does not lead to very serious side effects or issues. However, high doses can cause toxicity and adverse effects. The most well-known of these adverse effects is convulsions. The convulsive effect occurs due to the direct impact of the chemical components in sage on the nervous system. This side effect restricts the use of sage in patients with epilepsy. Additionally, camphor, thujone, and terpene ketones found in sage are toxic components. Therefore, they can cause serious toxic effects on fetuses and newborns. Consequently, both pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid consuming sage. Moreover, due to insufficient studies, the use of sage in children under 18 years of age is not deemed appropriate.

The harmful effects of sage usually occur due to overdose associated with excessive consumption. However, in individuals with chronic diseases who are taking medications, even a small amount of sage can lead to serious problems due to drug interactions. Sage interacts with many groups of medications, but it mainly interacts with antidiabetic drugs, anticonvulsants, and sedative medications. As a result of these interactions, the concentration of these drugs in the bloodstream can increase or decrease, which may adversely affect the treatment of chronic diseases. Therefore, individuals with chronic medication use should not consume sage unwittingly without the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.