Sage: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
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Scientific name(s)
Salvia officinalis
Family or group:
Plants
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Alzheimer's Disease ✪✪✪✪✪
The oral intake of common and Spanish sage extracts appears to improve cognitive functions in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease when used for a period of up to 4 months. Formulations used: - Spanish sage essential oil (Salvia lavandulifolia) containing borneol, camphene, camphor, 1,8-cineole, and a-terpineol: 50 µL. - Hydro-alcoholic extract: Sage Off. extract was prepared at 1:1 in 45% alcohol. In other words, 1 kg of dried herb (leaf) for 1 L of alcohol.
Posologie
Orally: leaf
50 microliter
essential oil, hydro-alcoholic extract
Cognitive Performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research conducted on healthy adults shows that a single dose of Spanish sage essential oil of 25 to 50 µL before cognitive tests improves attention and alertness compared to placebo. Other clinical research conducted on healthy older adults shows that a single dose of 333 mg of common sage extract improves attention accuracy compared to placebo. Used in aromatherapy, both the common sage and Spanish sage essential oils improve alertness. However, neither species improves attention speed or accuracy.
Posologie
Orally: leaf
333 mg
essential oil, dry extract
An Extract of Salvia (Sage) With Anticholinesterase Properties Improves Memory and Attention in Healthy Older Volunteers
Differential Effects of the Aromas of Salvia Species on Memory and Mood
Positive Modulation of Mood and Cognitive Performance Following Administration of Acute Doses of Salvia Lavandulaefolia Essential Oil to Healthy Young Volunteers
Memory ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research conducted on healthy older adults shows that a single dose of 333 mg of common sage extract improves secondary memory compared to placebo. Single doses of 25-50 mcL Spanish sage essential oil seem to improve young adults' memory in a dose-dependent manner. The essential oils of common sage appear more effective than Spanish sage. Neither species improves memory speed or working memory when used in aromatherapy.
Posologie
Orally: leaf
333 mg
essential oil, dry extract
Monoterpenoid Extract of Sage (Salvia Lavandulaefolia) With Cholinesterase Inhibiting Properties Improves Cognitive Performance and Mood in Healthy Adults
An Extract of Salvia (Sage) With Anticholinesterase Properties Improves Memory and Attention in Healthy Older Volunteers
Differential Effects of the Aromas of Salvia Species on Memory and Mood
Positive Modulation of Mood and Cognitive Performance Following Administration of Acute Doses of Salvia Lavandulaefolia Essential Oil to Healthy Young Volunteers
Emotional Balance ✪✪✪✪✪
According to a clinical study conducted on healthy young people, mood was consistently improved, with self-assessed increases in "alertness," "calmness," and "contentment" after a 50 µL dose. These results provide further evidence that Salvia is capable of mood and cognition modulation in healthy young adults.
Posologie
Orally: leaf
25 - 50 microliter
essential oil
Differential Effects of the Aromas of Salvia Species on Memory and Mood
Positive Modulation of Mood and Cognitive Performance Following Administration of Acute Doses of Salvia Lavandulaefolia Essential Oil to Healthy Young Volunteers
Dyslipidemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research in adults with hypercholesterolemia shows that taking a common sage leaf extract 500 mg, standardized to quercetin 2.16%, three times a day for 2 months reduces total cholesterol and triglycerides levels, and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels compared to placebo. Additionally, preliminary clinical research in adults with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia shows that taking a common sage leaf extract at a rate of 500 mg three times a day for three months reduces total cholesterol by 17%, LDL cholesterol by 36%, and triglycerides by 56%, and increases HDL cholesterol by 28% compared to placebo.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
500 - 1500 mg
dry extract
Improved Glycemic Control and Lipid Profile in Hyperlipidemic Type 2 Diabetic Patients Consuming Salvia Officinalis L. Leaf Extract: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Menopause ✪✪✪✪✪
Open preliminary research conducted on menopausal women shows that taking a specific common sage extract without thujones at a rate of 280 mg per day for 56 days reduces the daily frequency of hot flashes by 40% and decreases its intensity compared to baseline. The validity of these results is limited by the absence of a control group.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
280 mg
dry extract
Herpes ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research shows that the topical application of a cream containing either sage alone or sage with rhubarb heals herpes labialis lesions in 7.6 days or 6.7 days, respectively, compared to a healing time of 6.3 days with acyclovir cream. The combination of sage and rhubarb also improves healing time and reduces pain compared to sage alone.
Posologie
Topical: leaf
cream
Synergies
Pharyngitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research conducted on patients with acute viral pharyngitis shows that inhaling three sprays of a specific common sage extract spray at 15% reduces throat pain intensity in 2 hours compared to placebo. Further preliminary clinical research on patients with sore throat due to pharyngitis or acute tonsillitis shows that applying a combined spray product containing common sage and echinacea every 2 hours up to 10 times a day for 5 consecutive days improves symptoms as effectively as a chlorhexidine-lidocaine spray.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
Spray
Synergies
Echinacea/sage or chlorhexidine/lidocaine for treating acute sore throats: a randomized double-blind trial
Digestive Disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
The EMA recognizes the use of sage as a traditional herbal medicine for the relief of mild dyspeptic complaints such as heartburn and bloating.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
320 mg
dry extract
Perspiration ✪✪✪✪✪
The EMA recognizes the use of sage as a traditional herbal medicine for the relief of excessive sweating.
Posologie
Oral, topical: leaf
80 - 160 mg
dry extract
Stomatitis ✪✪✪✪✪
The EMA recommends the use of sage as a traditional herbal medicine for relieving inflammation in the mouth or throat. ESCOP recognizes the use of common sage in treating inflammation and infections of the mouth and throat such as stomatitis, gingivitis, or pharyngitis, and for relieving excessive sweating, in treatment lasting two to four weeks.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
250 mg
gel
Dermatoses ✪✪✪✪✪
The EMA recognizes the use of sage as a traditional herbal medicine for the relief of minor skin inflammations.
Posologie
Topical: leaf
2.5 g
lotion
Properties
Hormonal Metabolism
Sage stimulates the response of prolactin (lactation hormone) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in menopausal women. However, it does not affect levels of other hormones such as estradiol (sex hormone), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Usages associés
Neurological
Sage's potential to improve memory and cognitive performance has been attributed to its anticholinesterase activity. It potentially increases acetylcholine levels, a neurotransmitter involved in memory and learning processes. Linalool, alpha-terpineol, 1,8-cineole, alpha-pinene, and caryophyllene epoxide have anticholinesterase activity.
Usages associés
Antibacterial
Sage extracts and its constituents have shown antibacterial activity against various Staphylococcus species, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella enteritidis, and Shigella sonnei. Sage carnosol has been demonstrated to potentiate the antimicrobial activity of aminoglycosides against vancomycin-resistant enterococci. It has also been shown that sage inhibits the growth of Helicobacter pylori and Campylobacter jejuni in vitro. Conversely, evidence regarding the antibacterial effects of sage on oral bacteria is mixed.
Antioxidant
Thanks to its constituents: rosmarinic acid, carvacrol, luteolin, carnosic acid, alpha- and beta-pinene, and 1,8-cineole, sage has shown antioxidant effects in vitro.
Anti-inflammatory
In vitro and animal studies have shown that sage possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Sage ursolic acid contributes to these effects. Sage works by inhibiting nitric oxide synthesis, and some components, like alpha-pinene and geraniol, reduce inflammation in fatty leukocytes. Other constituents, such as carnosic acid and carnosol, inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, thus mitigating inflammatory responses.
Usages associés
Estrogenic Action
Dose-dependent estrogen activity has been demonstrated in an ethanolic extract (which appeared concentrated in the water-soluble fraction) of the S. lavandulaefolia species. The essential oil and its component, the monoterpenoid geraniol (< 1% of the essential oil), have also shown estrogenic activity. The potential estrogenic activity of the essential oil extracts and components of S. lavandulaefolia requires further research.
Hepato-protective
Animal research shows that sage consumption can increase liver glutathione-S-transferase activity and protect against lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion. Other animal studies show that sage extract can protect the liver against azathioprine-induced acute damage (medication).
Safety dosage
Adult from 18 years: 280 mg - 320 mg (dry extract)
- Dry extract: 320 mg per day to be taken in 3 to 4 doses. - Herbal tea: 1 to 2.5 g of the crushed herbal substance in 150 ml of boiling water, infused 3 times a day. - Liquid extract (DER 1:3.5-5): 0.5 ml in water 3 times a day. - Liquid extract (DER 1:4-6): 0.43 ml 3 times a day. - Tincture: 2-3 ml 3 times a day. - Liquid extract (DER 1:1) 250 mg of gel containing 20% liquid extract for oromucosal use. Apply to affected areas and gently massage up to 5 times a day. Warning: The compound thujone is potentially neurotoxic, so chemotypes low in thujone should be preferred.
Interactions
Médicaments
Benzodiazepines: moderate interaction
Products containing common sage could interact with certain medications prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders (benzodiazepines), as well as certain medications for psychiatric disorders (neuroleptics) and epilepsy. People undergoing such treatments should consult their physician before using sage for therapeutic purposes.
Anticonvulsants: moderate interaction
Products containing common sage could interact with certain medications prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders (benzodiazepines), as well as certain medications for psychiatric disorders (neuroleptics) and epilepsy. People undergoing such treatments should consult their physician before using sage for therapeutic purposes.
Anticholinergics: moderate interaction
In vitro evidence suggests that common sage (Salvia officinalis) and Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia) may inhibit acetylcholinesterase and could increase acetylcholine levels. Theoretically, the concurrent use of anticholinergic drugs and common sage (Salvia officinalis) or Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia) could decrease the effectiveness of the sage or the anticholinergic agent.
Estrogens: weak interaction
In vitro evidence suggests that geraniol, a constituent of Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia), exerts estrogenic activity. Theoretically, excessive doses of sage could interfere with hormone therapy due to the estrogenic effects of geraniol.
Central nervous system depressants: weak interaction
Some constituents of sage have a central nervous system depressant activity. Theoretically, concomitant use of medications with sedative properties could lead to additive effects and side effects.
Cholinesterase inhibitors: moderate interaction
Concurrent use of common sage (Salvia officinalis) or Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia) with other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors could have additive effects and increase the risk of cholinergic side effects. AChE inhibitors and cholinergic medications include donepezil as an example.
Precautions
Child up to 18 years: avoid
Insufficient data.
Contraindications
Pregnant women: prohibited
Sage is reported to have abortive properties. Its use during pregnancy is therefore not recommended.
Breastfeeding women: prohibited
Sage is thought to reduce lactation.
Epilepsy: prohibited
Sage (Salvia officinalis) contains significant amounts of thujone, a convulsant. Avoid using sage in quantities exceeding those found in foods.
Hormone-sensitive conditions: prohibited
Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia) appears to have estrogenic effects. Women with hormone-sensitive disorders should avoid excessive use of Spanish sage. Such conditions include breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers, as well as endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
