Salvia officinalis
(Sage)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Antibacterial, especially against Staph aureus
• Anti-hidrotic
• Antiseptic
• Antispasmodic
• Astringent
• Carminative - soothes mucous membranes
• Stimulates muscles of the uterus

Clinical Indications:

• Amenorrhea
• Aphthous stomatitis
• Dysmenorrhea
• Hot flashes associated with menopause (due to anti-hidrotic property)
• Dyspepsia
• Gingivitis
• Glossitis
• Laryngitis
• Pharyngitis
• Quincy
• Tonsillitis

Contraindications:

• Pregnancy due to the abortifacient and emmenagogue effects

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Limited data

Chemical Constituents:

• Diterpene bitters:
  
  Carnosolic acid
  Picrosalvin
• Estrogenic substances
• Flavonoids:
  
  6-methoxygenkwanin
  Genkwanin
  Hispidulin
  Luteolin
  Salvigenin
• Phenolic acids:
  
  Caffeic acid
  Labiatic acid
  Rosmarinic acid
• Salviatannin, a condensed catechin
• Volatile oil containing:
  
  a- and B-thujone (a-thujone contains toxic constituent)
  2-methyl-3-methylene-5-heptene
  Borneol
  Camphor
  Cineole

Toxicity:

• Toxic dose: Thujone 30 mg/kg body weight
• Overdose symptoms:
  
  Convulsions
  Dry mouth
  Local irritation
• Tea should only be taken for 1 - 2 weeks at a time

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).