Potential Benefits of Sage and Sage Oil

The Salvia genus includes the plants used to make sage essential oil. Salvia pratensis (clary sage), Salvia lavandulifolia (Spanish sage), and Salvia officinalis are the most popular strains used for oil (common sage). Salvia derives from the Latin verb salvare, which means to save or cure, and officinalis also means medicinal. Sage is one of the oldest medicinal plants, and its etymology suggests its healing properties ^[1].

Sage essential oil and preparations are used to treat inflammations and infections of the mucous membranes of the throat and mouth (stomatitis, gingivitis, and pharyngitis). The essential oil is used internally to treat dyspeptic symptoms and excessive sweating ^[2].  

Active Ingredients in Sage

Salvia plants are high in polyphenol chemicals, with over 150 polyphenols discovered, including phenolic acids and flavonoids. Caffeic acid and its derivatives, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acids, and other phenolic chemicals are among them. Lutein, apigenin, hispidulin, and quercetin are the most common flavonoids.

Essential Sage Oil

The leaves of the Salvia officinalis herb, popularly known as Common Sage or True Sage, are steam distilled to produce Sage Essential Oil. For its cleansing, cognitive improvement and nerve tonic properties, it is also known as “master herb.”

Sage Essential Oil is acknowledged for its ability to stimulate and enlighten the mind while also having a balanced, elevating, relaxing, and strengthening effect on the senses, which can help to alleviate negative moods. It has been shown to increase alertness, improve memory, and relieve digestive, respiratory discomforts ^[3]. 

When used medicinally, Sage Essential Oil has been shown to relieve muscular and joint discomfort, treat bacterial infections and spasms, clear toxins, relieve digestive complaints, and calm skin diseases including dermatitis and Athlete’s Foot. Sage oil has also been used to help control and stabilize menstrual cycles and symptoms ^[4].

Potential Health Benefits of Sage Oil

Supporting Memory:

Sage oil has cognitive- and memory-enhancing effects. A study revealed that S. officinalis improves cognitive performance in both healthy people and people who have dementia or cognitive impairment. Sage essential oil has been found in recent research to be useful for memory and cognition. Sage oils’ antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics may also assist to prevent dementia from progressing further ^[5].

A 2017 review  suggested that Sage plants appear to be associated to improved memory, increased alertness, and potential Alzheimer’s-fighting properties. Substances in sage can influence biological mechanisms associated with cognition. The anti-depressant and anti-stress properties of clary sage were also mentioned in the same review.

Anti-Stress Properties

Applying or inhaling sage oil has been found in numerous trials to lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety. The olfactory system, which is a brain mechanism that brings out emotion and memories, is triggered by smell. In aromatherapy, the aroma of sage oil can inspire sense of calmness, moderation, and well-being.

Anti-microbial Activity:

Sage essential oil and ethanolic extract have high bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Staphylococcus (the bacteria that causes staph infection) cultured from infected wounds was treated with sage essential oil in a study.

 The oil possesses anti-staphylococcus characteristics, which means it can treat a staph infection, according to the findings. Other research has found that sage essential oil may be useful against pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella typhi, and Bacillus subtilis.

The anti-bacterial and anti-microbial qualities of sage oil have been shown to eliminate toxins, offering relief from minor skin abrasions and injuries like bruises, cuts, burns, and irritation while also preventing them from infection.

Anti-spasmodic Activity

The anti-spasmodic action of sage oil efficiently tackles spasms such as coughs, chest and stomach pain, and cramps. Its cleaning agent property encourages the body to expel toxins through perspiration, while its laxative property enhances excretory activities, alleviating discomforts like constipation. Its carminative properties help to alleviate stomach issues.

Relief Menstrual Symptoms

Hot flashes and night sweats are frequent in women going through menopause. For all the women out there, sage-based oils and creams can help relieve menstruation cramps. Simply apply it to your abdomen and massage it in between cycles.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The two most common symptoms that emerge as a result of tissue damage are inflammation and discomfort. The chemicals favonoids and terpenes are most likely responsible for the herb’s anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties.

Anti-Oxidant Properties

Sage’s antioxidant effects have been extensively examined, and they have been linked to the existence of rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid. Antioxidants are essential in protecting the body from oxidative stress and free radical-induced damage, which are the root causes of many chronic diseases.

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References

Esmaeilizadeh, A. G. (2017, October 17). Pharmacological properties of Salvia officinalis and its components. Retrieved from NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5634728/

Lopresti, A. L. (2016, November 25). Salvia (Sage): A Review of its Potential Cognitive-Enhancing and Protective Effects. Retrieved from NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5318325/

M. S. Abu-Darwish. Cabral. V. Ferreira. (2013, October). Essential Oil of Common Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) from Jordan: Assessment of Safety in Mammalian Cells and Its Antifungal and Anti-Inflammatory Potential. Retrieved from NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3809930/

Staff, W. (2020, October 22). Are There Health Benefits to Using Sage Oil? Retrieved from NOURISH by WebMed: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-sage-oil#2

Whelan, C. (2017, June 20). 5 Benefits of Clary Sage Oil. Retrieved from HealthLine: https://www.healthline.com/health/clary-sage