Nutrition

The Numerous and Effective Health Benefits of Sage

The health benefits of Sage are widespread and effective. Find out why you should make this herb part of your nutrition.

Health Benefits of Sage

Sage is a traditional herbal medicine, which has been used for at least 3,000 years. The herb is so popular that it’s become a common name for several different plants in the family Lamiaceae.

Sage can be dried and used as an herbal tea or in cooking, and this article will also focus on the health benefits of sage extracts, oils and other forms of concentrated sage that may have health benefits as well as the dried herb itself.

Sage Contains High Levels of Antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that prevent or slow the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a process by which free radicals damage cells, leading to a wide variety of health problems including cancer and heart disease.

Benefits of sage tea
©Paulina H

Antioxidants act as molecular chaperones for free radicals, preventing them from damaging healthy cells.

Sage contains high levels of antioxidants compared to many other herbs and spices, making it an excellent choice for cooking or adding to your daily diet. Sage also contains carvacrol (a type of phenol) as well as rosmarinic acid, both natural compounds that act as powerful antioxidants that can help fight free radical damage.

Sage has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

When your body detects an infection, injury or irritation, it sends out white blood cells to fight off the invaders. This is called inflammation and it’s a normal response that helps you heal.

Herbs in shop
©Bundo Kim

Inflammation can also happen when there is no apparent cause; this is called chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been linked to many diseases including cancer, arthritis and heart disease.

Sage has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for colds and flu due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Sage may Help Reduce Blood Sugar Levels in People with Diabetes

Sage may also help reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Sage has been used as a treatment for diabetes since the time of Hippocrates, who prescribed it to treat excessive thirst and frequent urination.

Sage bundle
©Rene Kiffin

In one clinical trial, 135 patients with type 2 diabetes were given either sage capsules or placebo capsules every day for three months. The results showed that those who took sage had significantly lower blood sugar levels than those who did not take sage. Another study found that taking 3 grams per day of powdered dried leaves reduced fasting morning glucose levels by about 8%.

Sage is Good for the Brain

Sage is also good for the brain. Its antioxidant properties help to maintain healthy nerve cells, which can be helpful in preventing conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Sage contains flavonoids, making it a great addition to your diet if you’re looking to improve your memory and mental clarity, particularly when paired with blueberries or blackberries.

Sage also contains rosmarinic acid, an antioxidant found in many plants that has anti-inflammatory properties that prevent oxidation of healthy cells in the body.

Sage may be Good for the Skin

Aside from its many other health benefits, sage can also be used as an astringent.

This means that it has a tightening effect on the skin that helps reduce the appearance of pores and scars. It may also help reduce wrinkles and stretch marks.

Health Benefits of Sage for Dogs

Sage can be found growing wild in many areas of the world, including Europe, Asia and America. Sage has a number of health benefits for humans including its ability to help with digestion and arthritis pain. This herb may also be beneficial for dogs suffering from these conditions as well.

However, it is important to understand that not all herbs are safe for pets and dogs should never eat sage unless they have been given the go ahead by their veterinarian or animal expert at home.

Health Benefits of Sage Honey

Sage honey has a sweet, warm flavour that pairs well with savoury dishes.

It’s a natural sweetener that’s been used for centuries as an alternative to sugar. Honey is good for your skin because it has anti-inflammatory properties, so you’ll look younger and fresher after using it regularly.

Sage honey is also helpful in reducing blood sugar levels in people with diabetes since its main ingredient—honey—has low glycemic index (GI).

Health Benefits of Sage Oil

Sage oil is extracted from the leaves of the plant and has been used for centuries in cooking, as well as in skin care products and aromatherapy.

Flatlay of tea
©Paulina H

It has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sage oil can also be used to make sage tea, which may help with a sore throat; it can also be applied topically to soothe skin irritations or muscle pain.

Health Benefits of Sage Tea

Sage tea is a great option if you’re looking to start incorporating sage in your diet but aren’t sure where to begin. It’s easy to make, tastes great and can be made hot or cold. Sage tea is also an excellent choice for people who want to try sage and don’t like the taste of it raw in food.

Sage tea is best made with dried herbs rather than fresh ones; it’s important that there be some drying time between harvest and brewing so that moisture doesn’t cause moulding or spoilage problems in your brews.

Health Benefits of Sage Extract

The health benefits of sage extract include its ability to treat a variety of infections, including bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infections.

Sage extract has been successfully used to effectively treat infections caused by Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. It is also believed that sage extract may help fight the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which can cause skin boils and abscesses.

Studies have shown that this herb has antifungal properties as well; one such study suggests it might be effective in treating fungal infections commonly associated with tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor).

Is Sage Good for the Immune System?

Sage has been shown to have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. It may be used in the treatment of colds, flu and other infections.

As well as being a natural remedy for bacterial infections such as acne, sage can also help treat skin conditions such as psoriasis.

Does Sage Have Healing Properties?

Sage has been used for centuries as a healing herb. It was often prescribed by herbalists, and it was believed to reduce inflammation and fever, calm the mind, and soothe the digestive system. In fact, sage is still used today to treat colds and sore throats.

Sage may also have anti-bacterial properties that can be useful in treating acne or other skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Sage essential oil is being investigated for its potential use in treating both acne (due to its ability to kill bacteria) and psoriasis (because of its anti-inflammatory properties).

Herbs on the table
©Annie Spratt

A study published in 2014 found that people with type 2 diabetes who consumed sage leaf extract daily had lower blood sugar levels than those who took a placebo over 6 weeks — even though they did not change their diet during this time period.

How Much Sage Should You Take Daily?

The recommended daily dose is 1 to 2 teaspoons of sage per day. That’s about 5 to 10 grams, which is a little less than a third of a teaspoon.

You can use this amount in your tea or you can add it to your food if you’d rather not drink the tea.

When adding it to your food, be sure that the sage doesn’t overpower the flavours of other ingredients. If you’re brewing sage tea and want to know how much is in a glass, here are some conversions:

  • A cup contains 60 milliliters (2 fluid ounces).
  • A tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons or 15 milliliters (10 drops).

Sage has Many Potential Health Benefits

Sage is a good source of antioxidants and polyphenols, which help protect the body from damage that can cause inflammation. Sage also contains rosmarinic acid, an important antioxidant flavonoid that has been shown to improve memory and brain function in older adults.

Sage also has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Sage oil has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema because it has astringent properties that tighten pores and reduce sebum production (the oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands).

A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that applying sage oil topically reduced excessive wound healing time after surgery in rats by regulating inflammatory responses caused by surgery or trauma.

Conclusion

Sage is a popular herb that has many health benefits. Sage is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce inflammation in the body and brain. In addition to being good for the brain, sage may also help regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity.

Sage also contains antioxidants which can help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals that lead to aging skin as well as other conditions such as cancer or heart disease.

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