Sage medicinal properties, composition, use and contraindications. Salvia officinalis is a herb for well-being and health. Use of sage - at home and traditional medicine

Update: October 2018

Salvia officinalis (salvia) is a useful plant from the Lamiaceae family, which has long been used in official and folk medicine. Clary sage is also beneficial and a source of essential oil. The aroma of sage cannot be forgotten, and the appearance of the plant evokes a pleasant aesthetic sensation.

The homeland of this beautiful subshrub is the Mediterranean. Accordingly, the first to use the plant for medicinal purposes were ancient Greek and Roman healers, and they used sage in the widest range. The name comes from the Greek - “health and well-being”.

Structure

The plant is a perennial, reaching a maximum height of 75 cm. The root is hard and branched. Numerous stems have a tetrahedral shape and are densely dotted with oblong leaves. The flowers are irregular in shape, purple or pinkish-white, and collected in inflorescences. The fruit remains in the calyx.

Flowering begins in the second year of the growing season and continues from late May to July. Sage is cultivated in heat-loving regions of Russia, Ukraine, Crimea, and for decorative purposes. The leaves have a strong odor. The upper parts of the plant and leaves, as well as the inflorescences of clary sage, have medicinal value.

Collection and preparation

Sage leaves can be harvested all summer, starting from the flowering period. They should be cut at a height of 10 cm from the ground, separated from the stems and laid in an even layer on paper. Drying can be carried out either openly in the shade or in a dryer at T 40 C. The raw materials retain their properties for 12 months. after preparation. It is best to store in glass jars out of direct sunlight.

Chemical composition

Sage leaves contain:

Valuable essential oil is most actively produced during the fruiting period and is most contained in flowers.

Medicinal properties and contraindications of sage

Sage leaves have:

astringent;
anti-inflammatory;
disinfectant;
antimicrobial, especially against staphylococci and streptococci;
tonic;
hemostatic effect.

The essential oil of the plant is equivalent in effectiveness to Vishnevsky ointment, since it has an antibacterial and wound-healing effect.

Sage preparations are indicated for:

Bleeding and inflammation of gum tissue and oral mucosa;
Catarrhal phenomena of the upper respiratory tract;
Stomach colic;
Diabetes mellitus;
Long-term non-healing wounds, burns, ulcers;
Radiculitis, sciatica and other diseases.

Contraindications and special instructions

You should not take sage in doses higher than recommended, or for more than 3 months continuously. Absolute contraindications to the use of sage preparations are:

individual intolerance;
acute nephritis;
severe, persistent cough;
pregnancy and lactation;
Treatment is also not recommended for children under 5 years of age.

Side effects

If the plant is intolerant, individual hypersensitivity reactions may develop. If the indicated dosages are exceeded and the use is very long, irritation of the mucous membranes is possible.

Pharmacological preparations of sage

In addition to dry plant materials, sage is available in the following dosage forms:

Lozenges and lozenges

They are kept in the mouth without swallowing until the tablet/lozenge is completely dissolved. Lollipops with sage extract are also produced, which alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory processes in the throat.

Sage solution and spray

Contains liquid plant extract. It is used to treat inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and pharynx for rinsing, irrigating, and lubricating inflamed areas.

Essential oil

Presented with natural essential oil of the plant. It is used as an anti-inflammatory and effective antiseptic for inflammatory pathologies of the oral cavity (inhalation and gargling with oil), for the treatment of burns (at the healing stage), to combat acne, and strengthen hair roots. As an aromatherapy and bath additive: to relieve nervous tension, eliminate headaches, improve memory. It is a natural deodorant and also repels insects. Cannot be used internally!

Included in syrups for the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system and pharynx: Broncholin-Sage, Larinal, Bronchosip, etc.
The plant extract is included in cosmetics (shampoos, creams, hair balms), toothpastes, and mouth rinses.

Folk recipes

The scope of use of sage in folk medicine is truly limitless. It is used to treat ENT pathologies (sore throat, laryngitis, etc.), inflammatory and purulent skin lesions, pulmonary tuberculosis, polyarthritis, edema, radiculitis, atherosclerosis, gynecological diseases, gastrointestinal tract pathologies, liver, infertility and much more. Here are the most effective recipes with the plant.

Sage tea

It has a pronounced anti-sweat effect that lasts for at least 2 hours. Recommended both for excessive sweating and for diseases accompanied by rapid sweating, for example, tuberculosis.
Helps speedy recovery from bronchitis, bronchial asthma, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and gall bladder.
Stops lactation if necessary.
Strengthens hair follicles, stops premature baldness.

1 tbsp. dried raw materials or 1 bag of pharmaceutical tea, pour 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes and drink a third of a glass three times a day before meals. The optimal duration of treatment is 2-3 weeks.

Sage tea

For external use:

Promotes rapid healing of non-healing wounds (washing wounds, applying lotions).
Eliminates thrush in children (mouth rinse).
Sage helps with toothache, as well as in the treatment of gumboil (rinsing).
Reduces the severity of inflammatory changes in sore throat (irrigation and gargling).
, strengthens the roots (rinse after washing with a light massage of the scalp).

For internal use:

Normalizes the acidity of gastric juice in gastritis with low acidity.
Helps with colitis, enterocolitis.
– sage not only facilitates the discharge of sputum, but also has an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect.

1 tbsp. dry leaves pour a glass of boiling water and leave for 1 hour, filter. Take half a glass orally three times a day before meals. To treat cough, it is recommended to mix the infusion with warm milk in a 1:1 ratio.

Decoction with sage

Accelerates recovery from bronchopulmonary pathology;
Helps cure exacerbations of gastrointestinal and liver diseases.
Normalizes blood sugar.
Reduces pain from radiculitis.

One tbsp. dry raw materials are poured with a glass of boiling water and boiled over very low heat for 10 minutes, after removing from the heat, leave for another half hour. Take 1 tbsp. three times a day.

Alcohol tincture of sage

Helps in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Improves brain activity, especially in elderly patients.

3 tbsp. dry herbs are infused for 1 month in half a liter of alcohol in a sunny place, tightly closed with a lid. Take 1 tbsp. before meals, with water.

Sage wine

Recommended for older people for general strengthening, improving the functioning of blood vessels and the brain. For 1 liter of table grapes, take 80 grams of dry plant material. The mixture is infused for 8 days and taken 20 ml per day after meals.

Inhalations with sage

Helps eliminate inflammatory processes in the throat and bronchi.
Helps cure infectious rhinitis.

A handful of dry herbs is poured with 2 glasses of water and boiled over low heat for about 5 minutes. The resulting broth is allowed to cool slightly, then inhaled over steam, covered with a towel, for about 5-7 minutes.

Sage herb for infertility

Entire books by traditional healers are devoted to treating infertility with the help of plants, which has a completely scientific explanation. The fact is that sage phytohormones are similar in structure to estrogens, female sex hormones, and therefore act in the body in a similar way (see also). But before treatment, you should consult with a gynecologist about the possibility and advisability of herbal medicine.

Treatment regimen

Herbal medicine is prescribed for 10 days in the first phase of the menstrual cycle on the first day after the end of the next menstruation, i.e. approximately from the 5th to the 15th day of the cycle. If menstruation is absent for a long period of time, then treatment can be started on any day - in this case, the first day of treatment will be considered the 5th day of the cycle.

Preparation

One tbsp. dry leaves of the plant or a pharmaceutical tea bag are brewed with a glass of boiling water, left for 15 minutes, filtered. This is a daily portion, which is divided into three doses during the day and drunk 20 minutes before meals. A fresh infusion is prepared every day.

Efficiency

After 1-3 cycles (1-3 course doses, respectively), you should go for an ultrasound and assess the condition of the ovaries, endometrium and other signs of readiness for pregnancy. You should not take sage for more than 3 months, but if necessary, re-treatment is carried out with a break of 1 month.

Sage in gynecology

Used to eliminate menopausal symptoms, it is especially effective when started at the earliest manifestations of menopause, even before the cessation of menstruation.

The plant is also effective in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome, accompanied by emotional instability, abdominal pain, etc.

It has beneficial properties for women who need to stop lactation, for which it is recommended to take tea or sage infusion 100 ml twice a day for 5-7 days, but usually the milk disappears already on the 3-4th day of intake.

At the same time, it is recommended to apply compresses to the mammary glands with sage oil (2-3 drops per 25 ml of vegetable oil) to prevent milk stagnation. Gauze is soaked in the resulting mixture of oils and applied to the chest for 1 hour, covered with cellophane. Once a day is enough.

The ancient luminaries of medicine considered the plant to be salvation from all diseases and even from material troubles;
During the plague, sage preparations helped to recover and recover;
Research is underway to develop sage-based drugs for the treatment of;
Sage extract is used in perfumery.

Thanks to its healing properties, the “sacred herb,” as Hippocrates called sage, has been known to mankind since ancient times. Treatises of miraculous recipes are dedicated to Salvia. Today, its use extends not only to traditional medicine, but also to traditional medicine, as well as cosmetology, aromatherapy and cooking.

Features of sage

Not all sage is suitable for therapeutic purposes. In medicine and cosmetology, only the medicinal form is used. It includes more than 500 varieties of perennial plants, including Spanish, mountain, nutmeg and Ethiopian salvia. Cultivation takes place under artificial conditions, since bog sage does not have a medicinal effect, and medicinal sage does not take root in the Russian climate.

The peculiarity of the “sacred grass” lies in its composition:

alkaloids;
vitamin PP, as well as P;
flavonoids;
acids such as chlorogenic, oleanolic and ursolic;
phytoncides;
cineole;
resins;
thujone;
tannins;
salven;
essential oils;
terpenes;
pinene;
borneol;
acetic, folic and formic acids;
aromatic resins;
linalool;
phytohormones.

The entire composition is unique and balanced so as to bring maximum benefit to a person.

Medicinal properties of sage

Both flowers and leaves of salvia have therapeutic effects. Based on them, solutions (Salvin) and tablets (Salvia) are produced.

Therapeutic properties of the plant:

fights inflammatory processes;
removes excess fluid, having a positive effect on the genitourinary system;
stops heavy bleeding;
stimulates the excretion of bile, combating congestion in the gallbladder;
has astringent properties;
helps to dilute mucus in the bronchi, facilitating its better elimination (expectorant effect);
acts like antibiotics, destroying bacteria and microbes (including strepto- and staphylococci);
thanks to folic acid, it has a beneficial effect on hematopoiesis and the condition of blood vessels, preventing the development of atherosclerotic plaques;
eliminates fever (high body temperature);
has an antiseptic effect;
promotes wound healing by activating the process of cellular renewal simultaneously with disinfection, which is comparable to the effect of Vishnevsky ointment.

Benefits for women

Particular attention is paid to the healing power of sage in gynecology. The phytohormones in salvia, related to estrogen, are especially useful for women of reproductive age in order to become pregnant.

Use for infertility

The main factor in the inability to get pregnant is hormonal imbalance, leading to ovulation disorders. In its absence, the egg does not leave the ovary, and conception becomes impossible. This violation indicates that the female body produces too little estrogen.

Using sage in this case is the best solution to the problem. Under the influence of phytohormones, the female body stimulates the production of its own hormones, and they themselves compensate for estrogen deficiency. Thus, after a course of sage therapy, there is a chance to conceive a long-awaited child.

Use to stop lactation

Some nursing mothers produce milk for too long a period, when the baby needs to be weaned. The herb sage is used for this. It has a mild and gradual effect, which ensures that stopping feeding will not be stressful for either the baby or the mother.

During breastfeeding, sage is also used to prevent the development of mastitis, which occurs when there is too much milk and the baby does not have time to consume it. So, you can use sage infusion; it will not cause any harm to either the mother or the child. All it does is cause the body to produce the hormone prolactin in smaller quantities.

Sage is used during late menopause, when hormonal changes occur and a woman suffers from a sharp decrease in estrogen levels.

How to make your own sage infusion for infertility

You need to brew 1 tablespoon of dry salvia herb in a glass of boiling water. Infuse the broth in a warm place for a quarter of an hour, then strain. Cool and drink in three doses in one day.

Instructions for use:

The use of medicinal sage in the form of a decoction is acceptable until the 11th–12th day of the menstrual cycle. If conception does not occur and the hormone levels have not leveled out, which will be shown in laboratory tests, then the course must be extended for another 2 menstrual cycles.

It is important to observe the days of taking the infusion so that they are before ovulation. After this, the drug cannot be taken, otherwise during conception there will be a risk of miscarriage due to contractions of the uterus.

For what diseases is it useful and how to take it

Sage is found in many herbal preparations for preparing decoctions and infusions.

Indications:

diseases of the liver, stomach and gall bladder (cholecystitis, colitis and gastritis);
renal dysfunction;
low libido, infertility, symptomatic menopause;
rejuvenation of the body;
memory improvement;
strengthening protective functions;
lowering cholesterol and blood glucose levels;
with heavy sweating;
from staphylo- and streptococcal infections;
gum disease, as well as stomatitis;
bronchitis, colds, asthma;
tonsillitis, pharyngitis;
polyarthritis;
ulcers, damage to the integrity of the skin and burns;
radiculitis;
furunculosis;
fungal skin infections;
neurodermatitis, eczema, psoriasis;
hypertension;
early stage of diabetes mellitus;
alopecia (baldness);
infantile thrush;
damage to tooth enamel;
tuberculosis;
pyelonephritis;
long and painful menstruation;
cystitis;
neuroses;
pneumonia;
bloating, flatulence;
loss of appetite;
haemorrhoids.

Salvia flower essential oil is used to relieve stress, headaches and regulate mood. Also, it is used as a binding agent in the preparation of perfume compositions from unstable aromas.

To grow and strengthen hair, rinse with sage decoction.

The extract is used to treat juvenile acne and oily facial skin.

Compresses can eliminate dark circles around the eyes.

Decoction

To prepare a universal decoction, you need to take a glass of water and ½ spoon of dry sage leaves. Pour boiling water over the herb and let it brew for 15 minutes. It is better to cook it in enamel dishes. It is optimal to infuse the decoction in a thermos. Should be taken half an hour before meals.

Some tips for using the decoction:

If you need to treat wounds or burns, make lotions on areas of arthritis or areas of the body affected by rheumatism, then either a decoction or an infusion is used.
For skin diseases, rinsing is done.
Rheumatic bumps that form on the upper and lower extremities are treated like this - boil 100 g of dry sage in 6 liters. water for 10 minutes. Steam your hands or feet in this broth for 1 hour. Do this every day for 2 months.
An enema of sage decoction helps to cure hemorrhoids. It needs to be done daily for 1 week. During the course of treatment, drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited and a diet is indicated.
For diseases of the vagina, baths and douching are used.
Rinsing your hair helps combat hair loss, strengthens and makes your hair shiny. After the procedure, you need to wrap your head with a warm towel, remove it after 10 minutes and dry your hair.

The decoction can be used as tea to strengthen the immune system, improve brain function, and recharge with energy.

Infusion

It differs from a decoction in that it is infused longer, for 1-2 hours. For one part of boiling water, take 1/10th of dried raw materials and ⅕ of fresh leaves.

The infusion is used to get rid of gas formation and for bronchial diseases as an expectorant.

For ENT diseases, it is useful to rinse your mouth.

For gastritis, as well as colitis, use 100 ml of infusion daily. Should be taken before meals.

To treat pneumonia, the remedy should be prepared not with water, but with milk. If you are not allergic, you can additionally eat honey as a bite. The dosage regimen is universal - 100 ml x 3 times / day.

In case of lung diseases, to facilitate the discharge of sputum, sage is brewed not in water, but in milk.

Essential oil

Produced by steam distilling salvia petals. Also, based on them, sage hydrosol is prepared, which has a pleasant color and aroma. It is used not only in cosmetology and aromatherapy, but also in folk medicine. The oil is used to restore changes in the functioning of the vocal cords, strengthening the immune system in the off-season, to eliminate spasms.

Inhaling the aroma of sage essential oil can normalize heart function and stop vasoconstriction, which often happens in hypertensive patients and people whose work involves intense mental stress. It is useful for asthmatics and those who are prone to nervous overload.

Contraindications

Despite all the variety of benefits that nature has generously endowed with sage, it can be harmful.

The plant should not be used by people who have reduced thyroid function. Contraindications are the acute phase of kidney disease, polycystic disease, endometriosis, fibroids, pregnancy in any trimester.

Salvia officinalis cures many diseases. How to treat with sage?

Salvia officinalis

Sage was used by the ancient Greeks to treat various diseases.

There are more than 500 subspecies of sage, but only sage is medicinal, and the one that grows everywhere in the meadows has weak medicinal properties.

Sage: medicinal properties

For treatment, not the entire plant is used, but only the upper part of the stems with flowers and leaves.
Treatment with sage

Liver
Kidneys
Stomach
Helps well with colds: bronchitis, sore throat
And even relieves asthma attacks
Sage preparations are used for female diseases
Radiculitis, neuritis
Also, by applying sage lotions, skin diseases such as ulcers, boils, burns, and wounds are cured.

Sage contains essential oils - about 3%, resinous and bitter substances - 5-6%, tannins - 4%, flavonoids, phytohormones, vitamins.

How to use sage to treat the throat, gums, to remove bile, and as warm compresses?

A decoction of sage leaves and flowers gargling a sore throat and gums, washing diseased areas of the skin externally, and douching for female diseases.

Decoction recipe:

1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of ground herbs with water (1 glass), set to cook in a water bath for 15 minutes.
Then remove, strain through a sieve, add boiled water to a full glass.
Use immediately, and if there is any left, keep in a cool place for no more than 12 hours. Warm up before rinsing.

Sage tea drink to enhance the secretion of bile. It also helps with flatulence. You need to drink the infusion before meals (20 minutes before), 4 times a day, ¼ of a glass.

Infusion recipe:

1 tbsp. spoon of chopped sage leaves and flowers fill in boiling water (one glass), cover and leave for 30 minutes.

Sage oil very concentrated and only suitable for external use. Application of oil:

. To spread the aroma in the building, the oil is dripped into a special pendant or lamp (1-2 drops), 3 drops are enough to take.
sore gums and throat. Add sage oil (4 drops) and soda (1 teaspoon) to warm water (one glass). Rinse your gums and throat with this solution 3-4 times a day.
Prevention. In autumn and winter, when there are flu epidemics, rooms are aromatized; 3 drops are enough for a room of 15 m2.
Warming compresses for application to sore joints, sprains and injuries. Add 10 drops of oil to 100 ml of water, wet gauze, squeeze it out and apply to the sore spot. Apply cellophane on top of the gauze, and then wrap it in a warm blanket for 3 hours.
Sage oil hair wraps(hair grows faster after wraps). Take 4 tbsp. spoons of olive and 5 drops of sage oil, rub into the roots of the hair, wrap with film and then with a towel for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair with shampoo and rinse with sage decoction.

Sage oil

Sage tea drink to prevent colds, boost immunity, and improve memory.

Important: You should not drink more than one glass of sage tea per day.

Tea recipe.

Dried sage leaves and flowers (1 teaspoon) fill in boiling water (one glass) and drink it hot.

Sage tea

Sage powder often added as a seasoning to food. It tastes bitter and, taking it, improves the condition of the stomach with gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice.

Properties of sage for men and women with baldness

Treatment of baldness in men with sage

Sage decoction, if you apply lotions from it and wash your hair with the decoction, it helps men with baldness. How does this happen?

Thanks to a decoction of sage, hair follicles are strengthened, thereby slowing down or stopping the process of baldness.

Another purely male disease is treated by sage along with other herbs - vesiculitis (inflammation of the seminal vesicles near the prostate).

Decoction recipe:

Let's take dry herbs: 2 parts sage, 3 parts poplar buds, 5 parts burdock roots, mix and pour into a dry jar.
We make the decoction like this: 1 tsp. spoon of herbal mixture pour into a thermos, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave for 10 hours and take ¼ of a glass 3 times a day.

For greater effect, you can use this decoction every other day. microenemas, 15 times.

Properties of sage for women during infertility and menopause

Sage has phytohormones that help cure gynecological diseases:

Sage infusion helps reduce:

Hot flashes at the onset of menopause, profuse sweating and nervousness.
Drinking an infusion of sage will reduce bleeding during heavy menstruation.
The decoction reduces lactation in nursing mothers. You need to remember this when you want to wean your baby.
Even more ancient Egyptians used the presence of the same phytohormones that act like estrogens to treat infertility. There can be many reasons for infertility, but ovulation disorders are more common.
Sage helps the synthesis of estrogen and also replenishes their lack in the blood.

Before you start treatment infertility infusion of sage, a woman needs to study, using observations of the temperature in the rectum and ultrasound, when the egg reaches its largest size.

You need to take the sage infusion every day, from the 3-4th day of your period until the time when the egg is the largest.

Important. In the first days of the menstrual cycle, you should not drink sage infusion, as it has a hemostatic effect.

After the egg reaches its largest size, that is, ovulation, drinking sage infusion is contraindicated, since it keeps the uterus in good shape and can prevent the embryo from attaching to the uterine cavity.

Treatment of infertility in women with sage

For infertility and other female diseases, this infusion is used:

Pour chopped sage leaves (1 tbsp) into boiling water (1 cup), close, leave for about 15 minutes, drink 4 times a day, 1/3 of a glass.

Important. If, after the first course of treatment with sage infusion, pregnancy does not occur, you can continue treatment, but not more than 3 courses, and then contact your doctor.

Women douche with a decoction of sage and make sitz baths when thrush, inflammation of the vaginal mucosa, cervical erosion. It is advisable to carry out these procedures 2 times a day. They give positive results.

Important: the optimal temperature of the decoction for the procedures is 38°C.

Benefits and uses of sage for eye inflammation: recipe

Treatment of the initial stage of inflammatory processes of the eyes and swelling under the eyes

For redness and the initial stage of inflammation of the eyes, an infusion of sage has proven itself well. The eyes are washed with warm fresh infusion.
Sage infusion removes puffiness under the eyes.

Infusion recipe.

Dried sage leaves (1 teaspoon) fill in half a glass of boiling water, close and leave for about 30 minutes.
We filter the infusion and pour it into 2 containers: in one there is a warm infusion, in the other there is a cold one.

We wet cotton swabs first in a cold infusion and apply them to the eyelids, then in a warm one, and so on 5-6 times for each infusion. The procedure is done at night.

Sage for gums: recipe for use

For sore gums and throat, sage decoction is an excellent remedy.

phytoncide salvin (plant antibiotic) fights bacteria
natural resins that create an invisible film on sore gums and prevent contact with bacteria
astringents with analgesic properties
deodorizing substances responsible for fresh breath

Gargling the throat and gums with sage decoction

Rinse with sage infusion will help with (inflammation of the oral mucosa), gingivitis(inflammation of the gums), inflammation after unsuccessful tooth extraction, redness of the gums after wearing dentures.

Rinse with decoction up to 6 times a day.

Toothpaste with sage “Forest Balm” helps with gum inflammation

To treat gums, a special toothpaste with sage “Forest Balm” is now sold, which improves blood circulation and accelerates metabolism in the gums and oral cavity.

Sage for coughs: recipes

Milk with sage

A good cough remedy is milk with sage.

Recipe.

Heating 1 glass of milk in a saucepan, add to it honey (1 teaspoon), cinnamon (0.5 teaspoon), ¼ teaspoon each of turmeric and sage powder, mix and drink warm sage milk, 1 glass 3 times a day, and so on for 2 days.

Important. Milk with sage and spices irritates the stomach, so you should not drink it on an empty stomach, but 30-40 minutes after a meal.

Helps with severe cough lozenges with sage. They are dissolved in the mouth between rinses, and the essential oils found in sage soothe the throat.

Sage tea

If the cough lasts for a long time, then you need to drink sage tea.

Recipe.

2 tbsp. tablespoons dried sage herb fill in 1 cup boiling water, cover and leave for half an hour.
We use it as tea leaves. We drink sage tea with honey.

Sage for colds: properties, application

Inhalations for colds

Sage is included in the chest tea, it is used to treat lung diseases, and even with pulmonary tuberculosis, an improvement occurs from the infusion of sage.

For better effect for bronchitis, instead of boiling water sage is brewed with boiling milk. You should drink it hot, maybe with honey, half a glass 3 times a day.
At bronchitis, laryngitis, sore throat, gargle with warm sage decoction, and in order to recover faster, they also drink a glass of decoction at night.
Also when colds good help inhalation. They are carried out with sage oil, adding 1 drop to hot water poured into an inhaler, and breathing this steam. If there is no sage oil, inhalation can be made from a decoction. Inhalations can also be done over a regular saucepan, covered with a towel. Inhalations soothe coughs and soften the tissues of a sore throat.

Contraindications for the use of sage

Sage is contraindicated during pregnancy

There are medicines (decoction, infusion, tea) from sage and contraindications, and there are quite a lot of them:

Prohibited during pregnancy.
Do not use for nursing mothers.
It should not be used if there is an increased level of estrogen in the body, this usually happens with the following diseases: endometriosis (inflammation of the uterus), breast tumors and after excision of breast and uterine cancer.
Do not use for hypertensive patients.
Drink with caution if you have low blood pressure.
Limit for thyroid diseases.
Limit in case of kidney inflammation, acute form.
Do not drink if you have a strong suffocating cough - it may even worsen.
Prohibited for serious nervous diseases and epilepsy.

Important. Medicine from sage, when used for a long time, more than 3 months, can cause poisoning in the body, since the components of sage tend to accumulate.

Sage is used to treat many diseases. In addition to the above diseases, which are cured by infusions and decoctions of sage, it has the following amazing properties:

strong anti-aging
has a beneficial effect on the nervous system
treatment of kidneys due to diuretic action
reduction of dental pain
disinfecting effect followed by treatment of fungal diseases on the skin and psoriasis
improves memory
helps to concentrate attention
helps with heavy sweating

The healing properties of sage have been known for a long time, thanks to which today this plant is widely used in both folk and official medicine. The first mentions of sage are found in the treatises of ancient healers, who attributed to it a medicinal effect against almost all diseases. Moreover, thousands of years ago it was believed that sage not only helps with bodily ailments, but also helps improve material well-being. That is, they equated sage to the philosopher's stone.
In fact, this medicinal plant has nothing to do with money, but it helps cope perfectly with a number of diseases.

Sage originates from the Mediterranean coast of Europe, from where it has spread throughout the world. Sage grows in temperate and subtropical latitudes. To the north of them the plant does not take root, since at low temperatures without sufficient snow cover it freezes out. Sage tolerates drought quite steadily, but an excess of moisture is destructive for it.

Interestingly, this plant grows not only in the wild. Sage has been cultivated quite successfully and is currently grown for medicinal purposes. In particular, salvia officinalis is grown on an industrial scale in Russia and Ukraine, in the countries of ex-Yugoslavia, on the Mediterranean coast, in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The composition of sage is very interesting from a chemical point of view, which is why it is in demand in medicine. The leaves of the plant are two percent composed of essential oil, which includes camphor, cineole, D-α-pinene, α- and β-thujone, D-borneol. In addition, sage leaves contain tannins, alkaloids, some acids, sodium, potassium, calcium, vitamins A, C, E, K, fiber and flavonoids.

From the point of view of useful substances, sage fruits are also interesting. Almost a quarter of them are composed of fatty oil, the basis of which is linoleic acid.
The medical raw materials of Salvia officinalis are the leaves and flowering top. On average, up to three plant harvests can be harvested per year. If the area with sage is small, then the raw materials are collected by hand; on an industrial scale, the plant is mowed. Next, the leaves and inflorescences are dried in dark rooms and packaged for storage and processing.

Medical uses of Salvia officinalis

Modern medicine accepts the following actions of sage:

disinfectant,
anti-inflammatory,
astringent,
hemostatic,
emollient,
diuretic,
antiseptic,
antipyretic.

As you can see, with such an impressive list, it can be used for almost any disease. Let's consider them in separate groups in the form of a table:

Diseases	Effect of sage
Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, ulcers, diarrhea, colic, intestinal spasms).	Increased secretory function of the stomach, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Respiratory tract diseases (bronchitis, catarrh, sore throat, pneumonia).	Sage essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. Used as an element of complex therapy.
Traumatic pathologies (burns, frostbite, ulcers, festering injuries).	Antiseptic effect of essential oil.
Dental pathologies (, gingivitis).	Sage helps reduce bleeding gums and has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. Gargling with sage decoction is widely used in official medicine.
Diseases of the genitourinary system (adnexitis, endocervicitis, ovarian dysfunction, infertility).	In addition to diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects, sage contains a number of female hormones that increase libido and have a rejuvenating effect on the woman’s body.

Medical forms of Salvia officinalis

In pharmacies, sage can be found in four forms: dry plant material for brewing tea or infusion, essential oil, lozenges and spray. With the exception of dry plant materials, all pharmaceutical forms of sage are used to combat diseases of the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract. And only tea or a decoction of dry leaves is used to treat other pathologies.

In addition, sage is quite often an integral part of combination preparations. In particular, it can be found in such popular drugs as Bronchosip, Larinal, Broncholin-Sage and others.

Sage is also a popular component of a number of cosmetic products. It is used in the production of toothpastes and mouth rinses, as well as hair care products: creams, shampoos, balms. The use of sage helps strengthen the hair roots, making them more resistant to external influences.

Traditional medicine recipes using sage

In folk medicine, salvia officinalis is quite popular and there are about a dozen recipes for its use to treat various pathologies. Let's take a closer look at them.

Inhalations

For inhalations with sage, take a tablespoon of dry plant material, fill it with half a liter of water and boil over low heat for five minutes. The resulting decoction is left covered for several minutes and used for steam inhalation. You need to breathe in the steam of the sage infusion for no more than five minutes. As with other steam inhalations, care must be taken to avoid burning the mucous membranes. Most often, inhalations with sage are used for infectious rhinitis, as well as inflammatory processes in the bronchi and throat.

Douching

To prepare a solution for douching, take three tablespoons of dried sage leaves and brew them with a liter of boiling water. The broth is boiled for ten minutes and allowed to cool to a temperature comfortable for use. Douching with the resulting decoction is carried out twice a day for 10-15 days.
Douching with sage decoction is recommended for cervical erosion, cervicitis, and various gynecological inflammations.

Gargling

Using a decoction of sage leaves for rinsing is one of the most effective and common ways to use this plant. In addition, rinsing is quite actively used in official medical protocols for the treatment of a number of diseases.

To prepare a decoction for rinsing, use the traditional scheme: two or three tablespoons of dry sage leaves are brewed with a liter of water and the resulting liquid is allowed to brew. Rinse your mouth and throat with a decoction at a comfortable temperature five times a day. This procedure is recommended for stomatitis, gum inflammation, and also as restorative therapy after tooth extraction. In addition, gargling with sage is effective for sore throat, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and other throat diseases. In some cases, only the use of sage can remove all the painful symptoms of the above pathologies.

External application

Sage decoction is effective for a number of skin diseases. It is used for compresses. In particular, the use of this plant is recommended for neurodermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, as well as traumatic skin lesions (burns, frostbite, purulent wounds).

In addition, various home remedies containing sage are also popular for treating skin problems. You can fight acne by spot applying essential oil, a tonic (half a glass of boiling water, a tablespoon of dry sage leaves and half a glass of apple cider vinegar) will help against oily skin, and a mask (a tablespoon of full-fat yogurt and oatmeal, and two drops of essential oil) will help against dry skin. sage oil).

Sage contraindications

Despite the fact that the scope of application of sage is quite wide, certain precautions must be observed when using it:

Firstly, sage is quite allergenic and before taking it you need to do a skin test and start using it with small dosages.
Secondly, sage is contraindicated for women during pregnancy and lactation, as it can cause cramps and also reduce milk production.
Thirdly, sage can become addictive, so you should not violate the recommended dosage, nor should you use drugs based on it for more than three months in a row.

Salvia officinalis has been used in folk medicine since ancient times. The healing properties of the plant are described in the works of healers of Ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome. The legendary physician Hippocrates called Sage a “sacred herb” and advised its use for general strengthening and rejuvenation of the body, as well as the treatment of a number of diseases.

The homeland of this herb is the Mediterranean, from where Sage came to other regions with trade caravans.

Note:Salvia officinalis should not be confused with Meadow sage, which grows almost everywhere in our country. Only the first type is characterized by healing properties, since it contains a significantly higher content of biologically active substances.

Salvia officinalis is a herbaceous cross-pollinated perennial plant or subshrub belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The height of the straight branched stems, woody at the base, reaches 70 cm. The leaves are gray-green, densely pubescent, oblong in shape. Flowers with purple corollas are collected in inflorescences. Flowering time is June-July, and the fruits ripen in late summer - early autumn.

This herb is not found in the wild on the territory of the Russian Federation, but is cultivated almost everywhere. The grass is an excellent honey plant.

Salvia officinalis leaves, as well as grass tops with inflorescences, are prepared as medicinal raw materials, which are dried in well-ventilated attics or under a canopy. The plant substrate is stored in bags in rooms with low humidity levels.

The leaves, as well as the inflorescences of the plant contain a large amount of aromatic essential oil. Organic acids (formic and acetic), pinene, bioflavonoids, tannins, camphor, vitamins B1, and tannins, paradiphenol, salvin phytoncide and the terpenoid compound linalool were found in Sage. The seeds contain a lot of fatty oil and proteins, and coumarin was found in the roots of the unique plant.

Beneficial features

For what diseases is Sage indicated?

Medicines based on Salvia officinalis are indicated for the following diseases and pathological conditions:

various diseases of the digestive tract;
pathologies of the kidneys and urinary tract (in particular - and);
viral infections (as a general tonic to enhance immunity);
spicy and ;
neuritis;
diabetes;
polyarthritis;
radiculitis;
inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity (,);
bronchial (to relieve attacks);
a number of dermatological diseases (including mycoses);
chronic fatigue;
hysteria;
increased sweating.

Note:Externally, Sage preparations are prescribed for the speedy healing of wounds, thermal wounds, and ulcers.

Sage contains a high concentration of plant analogues of estrogens, so it is used for disorders characteristic of menopause in women (nervousness and hot flashes). The hemostatic effect helps reduce blood loss during heavy and prolonged menstruation.

A decoction of Sage herb is used to prepare sitz baths for.

Sage is part of gastric preparations that help fight flatulence, improve motility of the digestive tract, improve appetite and stimulate the secretion and discharge of bile.

The plant can strengthen general immunity, increase mental activity and physical endurance.

Note:The pleasant-smelling essential oil of Sage is used in aromatherapy to relieve fatigue and relieve psycho-emotional stress.In cosmetology, decoctions are prescribed to combat dandruff and to reduce oily skin.

Contraindications to the use of Sage

Salvia officinalis preparations should not be taken in case of acute inflammation of the kidneys (decreased production of thyroid hormones), as well as in case of individual hypersensitivity to the active substances.

Since the medicinal herb has estrogenic properties, it is strictly contraindicated in women diagnosed with polycystic disease, fibroids or.

Another contraindication to taking Sage medications is pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Salvia officinalis contains a large number of active phytohormones, which in their nature of action are close to female sex hormones. Biologically active compounds in the herb compensate for the lack of estrogen and stimulate the process of their production. Thanks to this, the plant can help with problems caused by disturbances in the ovulation process.

In order for conception to occur, it is recommended to take a water infusion of Sage, starting from the 3-4th day of menstruation until the moment when the egg is expected to reach its largest size. In particular, with a regular 28-day cycle, taking the drug should be completed on days 11-12. After ovulation, Salvia preparations cannot be taken, as they increase the tone of the muscles of the uterus and fallopian tubes and can interfere with the attachment of a fertilized egg.

Sage infusion recipe for infertility

Take 1 tbsp. l. dried and thoroughly crushed leaves of the plant and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Infuse in a well-sealed container for 15 minutes, then cool and strain. Drink a third of a glass 4 times a day.

If conception has not occurred, then it is advisable to take the Sage infusion according to the previous regimen for another 1-2 cycles. This course of infertility treatment can be carried out no more than 3 times per year.

Infusions and decoctions of Salvia officinalis are strictly contraindicated for pregnant women, since stimulation of uterine tone can cause spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) or premature birth. It should also be taken into account that the active substances of the medicinal herb reduce the biosynthesis of progesterone, which is necessary during pregnancy.

For the same reason, you should not take Sage during breastfeeding, although it is completely safe for infants.

If for some reason you need to stop lactation, then the herb infusion will help reduce the level of synthesis of the hormone prolactin, as a result of which the production of breast milk will gradually decrease.

Important:Sage helps fight mastitis and congestion in the mammary gland.

Recipe for Sage tea to reduce lactation

Take 1 tsp. chopped dry herb (or 1 whole stalk with inflorescence) and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Leave for 10 minutes, cool, strain and take a third of a glass 3 times a day.

Recipe for Salvia officinalis decoction for rinsing and external use

This decoction is used to make lotions, baths and douches for gynecological and skin diseases, as well as diseases of the throat and oral mucosa

Take 1 tbsp. l. crushed dry leaves or 2-3 stems with inflorescences, pour 200 ml of water and place in a water bath for 15-20 minutes. Cool the finished broth, strain and add boiled water to the original volume.

Sage decoction is used for rinsing for dental diseases (gingivitis and stomatitis), as well as for rubbing gums with removable dentures and for inflammation of the socket after tooth extraction. For rinsing, 200 ml of the drug is used. Frequency of application – 5-6 times a day.

For laryngitis, sore throat and sore throat due to acute respiratory infections, rinsing with a decoction 4-5 times a day is recommended. The anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties of the herb allow you to quickly relieve the symptoms of the disease.

Douching and sitz baths with a decoction are indicated for vaginitis and cervical erosion. It is recommended to carry out the procedures 2 times a day. The optimal temperature of the drug is about 38°C.

For wounds and frostbite of the skin, as well as for the treatment of fungal diseases, neurodermatitis and psoriasis, the affected areas should be washed with a decoction 4 times a day. Sage will help reduce swelling and relieve itching. In addition, the grass promotes rapid tissue regeneration. If the wound is festering, then instead of washing it is advisable to use blotting using clean gauze soaked in the broth.

For seborrhea, dandruff and alopecia (hair loss), you should rinse your hair with the broth after washing.

Recipe for infusion for oral administration for bloating, to improve bile flow and treat bronchitis

Take 1 tbsp. l. crushed dry inflorescences or leaves of the plant, pour 250 ml of boiling water and leave in a tightly closed container for half an hour.

In case of impaired intestinal motility and flatulence, drink a quarter glass 4 times a day half an hour before meals. A course of treatment is indicated; Course duration – 7 days.

As a mucolytic and expectorant for bronchitis, it is advisable to prepare an infusion using milk instead of water. Take 100 ml hot three times a day.

In pharmacy chains you can purchase alcoholic tinctures of Sage, as well as preparations containing an extract of this medicinal herb (Salvin).

Sage for children

For children of preschool and high school age, baths with Sage decoction are recommended as a general tonic (additionally, it is recommended to add sea salt). You can make lotions with a decoction to heal wounds, treat burns and reduce swelling from bruises.

Children of the older age group should drink water infusions mixed with milk and honey or do inhalations when coughing. If you are allergic to honey, you can replace it with butter.

Plisov Vladimir, herbalist