Sage

Botanical Name:                   Salvia officinalis
Synonym:                              Garden sage, Dalmatian sage
Botanical Family:                  Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Country of Origin:                 Balkans
Plant Part:                             Dried leaves
Extraction Method:               Steam distillation
Characteristics:                    Sharp, herbaceous
Properties:                             
Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypertensive, laxative, stomachic, tonic
Chemical Constituents:       
α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene, myrcene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, α-thujone, β-thujone, camphor, linalool, bornyl acetate, borneol
 
Indications:
 
Mind & Spirit:                       
           
Calms the nerves
Relieves tiredness, depression and grief.
 
Body:             
Digestive stimulant
Regulates menstrual cycle
Relieves aches and pains of rheumatism
Treats menopausal problems
Helps formation of scar tissue
Effective with sores, dermatitis, psoriasis and ulcers 
Raises low blood pressure
Tonic to liver and kidneys
Effective against water retention, bacterial infections, mouth ulcers and glandular disorders.
 
Contraindications:                Use with extreme care.  Not to be used during pregnancy.  Can provoke convulsions or epileptic fits.  Toxic to the central nervous system in large doses.
Note:                                      Top
Odour Intensity:                     Un-referred
Blends well with:                   
Bay, bergamot, cajeput, clary sage, eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, lavender, orange, peppermint, pine, rose, rosemary, tea tree
 
Traditions:                 
The Chinese believed sage cured sterility.  The Romans saw it as a miracle plant.  The Latin root word “salvare” means to heal or to save.  It was an ingredient of many nerve tonics during the Middle Ages and the herb was used to clean gums and whiten teeth.  Sage was also used in folk medicine as herbal infusions, gargles and compresses for mouth/throat infections and to heal wounds and clear headaches.