Botanical Overview
Salvia officinalis, commonly known as Common sage or Garden sage, is a member of the Lamiaceae family. It is native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Europe and Western Asia. The primary medicinal part used is the dried leaf, which has a long history in traditional herbal medicine.
Energetics
This herb is considered warming and drying in nature, with bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes. Its energetic actions are ascending and outward, with a tonifying effect primarily on the body’s qi.
Primary Actions
- Antimicrobial
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Astringent
- Carminative
- Cognitive enhancer
Indications
Western
- Sore throat
- Excessive sweating
- Dyspepsia
- Memory decline
- Inflammation
Syndromes
- Digestive disorders
- Cognitive weakness
- Upper respiratory tract infections
TCM
- Sore throat
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
Syndromes
- Kidney Yin deficiency
- Lung heat
Ayurveda
- Excessive sweating
- Digestive discomfort
- Cognitive decline
Syndromes
- Pitta imbalance
- Kapha disorders
Unani
- Diarrhea
- Excessive sweating
- Memory loss
Syndromes
- Cold stomach
- Weakness of the brain
Constituents & Mechanisms
The herb contains several important phytochemicals including essential oils rich in thujone, camphor, and cineole, as well as flavonoids and phenolic acids contributing to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Dosage & Preparations
- Infusion: 1.5–4 g dried leaf in 150 mL water, 2–3 times daily
- Tincture 1:5 in 40% ethanol: 2–5 mL, 1–3 times daily
- Essential oil: used topically diluted; internal use only under professional supervision
Safety & Contraindications
Use with caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to the presence of thujone, which can be neurotoxic at high doses. It is contraindicated in epilepsy because of its convulsant potential. Potential interactions exist with sedatives, anticonvulsants, and drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes.
Astrological Correspondences
Salvia officinalis is traditionally associated with the planetary ruler Saturn and the elemental rulers Air and Earth, reflecting its grounding and clarifying properties in herbal energetics.
Selected References
- European Medicines Agency (EMA) Herbal Monograph
- Plants For A Future (PFAF) Database by Ken Fern
- NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- Herbal Medicine by H. Smith (1998)
- Medical Herbalism by David Hoffmann (2003)
- A Modern Herbal by M. Grieve (1931)
- Phytochemicals and pharmacology of Salvia officinalis by Betz & Proxmire (2018)