Introduction

Sage is a popular culinary, medicinal herb and has been cultivated since ancient times. The scientific name of the sage is Salvia officinalis belongs to the Lamiaceae family another member of this family is oregano. It is a perennial evergreen subshrub, with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers. Traditionally sage leaves were used with wine mouthwash to relieve toothache (in England). Sage was used orally for gastrointestinal problems and excessive perspiration. Also applied for inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat (in Germany). Tea made of sage is also used to treat colds and coughs, and as an antidiarrheal, (Cherokee Native Americans). Other than this sage is used for many health benefits as an antiseptic, anti-scabies, antisyphilitic, and antiinflammatory. This herb is used against skin and eye diseases, and also in pleurisy local anesthetic for the skin and hair tonic.

Common name

Salvation Plant, Common sage, Sage, salvia, garden sage, common sage, or culinary sage

Geographical distribution

Sage is native to southern Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Mediterranean, but is now cultivated worldwide.

The main constitutes of Sage

Sage is used for health benefits because of its components like alkaloids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, glycosidic derivatives (e.g., cardiac glycosides, flavonoids glycosides, saponins), phenolic compounds (e.g., coumarins, flavonoids, tannins), polyacetylenes, steroids, terpenes/terpenoids (e.g., monoterpenoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids), and waxes

Nutritional value of Sage

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), oats contain a relatively high amount of protein, fat, crude fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, Vitamins A,  B6, C, K, and folate (1).

Sage health benefits

The herb sage is used for health benefits like it keeps diabetes and obesity under check and preventing oral problems.

1. Improve cognitive functions

Phenolic acids, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid in sage acts as an antidepressant and possess anxiolytic-like activity (2). Therefore, intake of sage enhances ‘head and brain’ function (e.g. alertness, contentedness, and calmness), improves memory, quickens the senses, and delays age-associated cognitive declines such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and aggression (3).

2. Anti-aging and anti-wrinkle properties

Sclareol found in sage inhibits various photoaging phenomena in human fibroblasts and enhances cellular proliferation, blocks UVB-induced cell death, and alleviates facial wrinkle formation (4). Moreover, daily intake of sage inhibits the activity of aging-related enzymes, reduces epidermal thickness, and helps restore skin elasticity thus slowing the wrinkling process. Therefore, sage acts as a protective sunscreen against UV radiation and prevents damage to the skin tone (5).

3. Sage keeps your gums and teeth healthy

The sage extract containing mouthwash fights against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida glabrata in dental plaque which is responsible for inflammations of the oral cavity and gingivitis (6, 7).

4. Help to treat hot flushes and excessive sweating during menopause

Fresh sage leaf consumption normalizes neuronal thermoregulation and reduces mental impairment during menopause (8). Hence useful for the treatment of menopause, and hot flashes as well as alleviating associated menopausal symptoms (9).

5. Reduces the Severity of the Premenstrual Syndrome

Intake of sage capsules for 2 months reduces the severity of the psychological and physical symptoms of PMS such as acne, tender breasts, bloating, feeling tired, irritability, and mood changes (10).

6. Anti-inflammatory properties of sage

It contains high ursolic acid and rosmarinic acid which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent that reduces oxidative stress and inflammation thus helpful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases (11, 12). Sage leaves also contain aerosol acid which blocks the sensation of pain at the site of inflammation (13).

7. Manage diabetes and obesity

Consumption of sage leaves reduces body weight gain by inhibiting lipid droplet accumulation, reduces lipid storage in adipocytes, and reduces inflammation (14). Sage also improves glucose tolerance and reduces plasma insulin levels thus treating diabetes (15).

Furthermore sage contains rosmarinic acid which prevents diabetes-induced acquisition and memory deficits by inhibiting hyperglycemia, and lipid peroxidation as well as enhancing antioxidant defense systems (16).

8. Treat wound

Sage leaves contain a high amount of flavonoid and phenolic content and antioxidant capacity which increase the percentage of wound contraction, re-epithelialization process, new vessel formation, and fibroblast distribution thus improving the wound healing process (17).

9. Treat cancer

Sage is a rich source of phenolic compounds mainly rosmarinic acid which induces apoptosis and inhibits cell proliferation thus treating colorectal, lymphoma, and leukemic cancer cells (18, 19).

10. Lower cholesterol level

Intake of Saga tea enhances antioxidant defenses, decreases plasma LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels as well as increases plasma HDL cholesterol levels (20).

11. Antioxidant properties of Sage

The rich amount of polyphenols such as flavone glycosides and rosmarinic acid derivatives that exhibit antioxidant activity scavenge harmful radicals from the body thus protecting from harmful diseases (21).

12. Treat the protozoan disease

Leishmaniasis is an endemic disease caused by a trypanosometed protozoan that is transmitted by small biting sandflies (Phlebotomusspp) however sage shows a wonderful effect on inhibition of the Leishmania major growth because it contains flavones and flavonols which known for their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and the presence of thujone known mainly for their regenerating and healing properties (22).

13. Treat neuropathic pain

Rosmarinic and Caffeic acids obtained from sage show anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity thus continuous daily administration of sage and its major compounds attenuated neuropathic pain by increasing the sensitivity and reaction time to pain (23).

Side effects of Sage

A research study suggested that on average between 3 and 6 cups of sage tea could be daily consumed without any adverse effects (24). However, prolonged use or overdose of sage oil (more than 15 g of the leaves) shows some side effects such as vomiting, salivation, tachycardia, vertigo, hot flushes, allergic reactions, tongue swallowing, cyanosis, and even convulsion may occur (25).

1. Decrease the fertility

The lower amount of sage did not show any disorder or side effect in the reproductive system, but its high dose is toxic and induces apoptosis, and cell death, reduces progesterone concentration, and affects ovarian cells which are very important for reproduction (26).

2. Toxic to newborns and child

The presence of camphor, thujone, and terpene ketones induces toxic effects on the fetus and newborn (27). Sage oil exposure may cause tonic-clonic seizures thus precaution should be needed in pregnancy lactation and especially in children who are particularly susceptible (28).