Health Benefits of Sage

Sage is known for its natural antiseptic, preservative and bacteria-killing abilities in meat. Volatile oils (distilled from the blossoms) contain the phenolic flavonoids apigenin, diosmetin, and luteolin, plus volatile oils such as rosmarinic acid, which can be easily absorbed into the body. Medicinally used for muscle aches, rheumatism, and aromatherapy, these oils also contain ketones, including A- and B-thujone, which enhance mental clarity and upgrade memory, as evidenced by clinical tests comparing tests scores with and without the use of sage. This knowledge has been extremely useful in treating cognitive decline and patients suffering from Alzheimer’s. It’s interesting that this herb has been prized for that purpose for over 1,000 years.

In fact, sage, made into a drink from the leaves, has been called the “thinker’s tea” and even helps ease depression.

Three-lobed sage contains the flavone salvigenin which may help prevent cardiovascular disease. Between the flavonoids, phenolic acids, and the enzymes superoxide dismutase and peroxidase, sage contains powerful antioxidant powers for neutralizing harmful free radicals, as well as compounds that fight inflammation, bronchial asthma, and atherosclerosis (a.k.a. hardening of the arteries).

A gram of sage as seen in the nutritional profile indicates the health benefits even a small amount provides. Vitamin K is the most prominent, with 43% of the daily recommended serving in the more practical serving of one tablespoon. Sage is also an excellent source of fiber, vitamin A, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, and B vitamins such as folic acid, thiamin, pyridoxine, and riboflavin in much higher doses than the recommended daily requirements, plus healthy amounts of vitamin C, vitamin E, thiamin, and copper.