Salvia officinalis                          Common name:  Sage

Family: Lamiaceae

Part used: Aerial

Constituents:  Volatile oil (1-2%) (thujone), Diterpene & Triterpenes, Phenolic compounds including rosmarinic acid, Tannins, Resin, oestrogenic substances, camphor salvene & pinene

Actions: Astringent, Antiseptic, Antimicrobial, Anti-catarrhal, Estrogenic, Reduces sweating, Carminative

Medical uses: A classic remedy for inflammations of the mouth, throat and tonsils. It is good for: gingivitis, glossitis, mouth ulcers, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis. It is a valuable carminative used in dyspepsia. Phytoestrogenic compounds may have use in teh treatment of hot flashes. As a compress it promotes the healing of wounds.

Pharmacology:

• Phenolic glycosides such as rosmarinic have strong antioxidant & anti-inflammatory properties
• Thujone in the volatile oil has an antiseptic and antibiotic action. In vitro, sage oil has been shown to be effective against both gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli and Salmonella species, and against filamentous fungi and yeasts such as Candida albicans. 

Pharmacy:  Infusion: 1 tsp/cup of boiling water. Fresh and dry liquid extract 10-40 drops 1-4 times per day.

Contraindications: During pregnancy because of its emmenagogue and abortifacient effect.  Lactation due to the possibility of reduced milk flow.

Toxicity: Do not use in high doses or for long term because of the mutagen thujone

Interactions: None known.