Sage home remedies

Sage is one of the beautiful flowering plant is a medicinal as well as ornamental plant. Its botanical name is Salvia officinalis. It is known for its remarkable home remedy and thus occupies both medicine cabinet and kitchen. In India, flowers of sage is offered to God and leaves are used for medicinal purposes. Plant contains camphor, cineole, flavonoids, thujone along with phenolic acids and tannins. 

Sage has several applications in herbal medicine-,

1. It is known to boost cognitive function
2. It promotes oral health by depleting growth of oral bacteria
3. At lower dosage it exhibits antispasmodic and anti-diarrheal properties
4. Helps to ease hot flashes during menopause
5. Helps to improve lipid profile in Type 2 diabetes
6. Sage is used for common cold, fever, coughs symptoms and to cure flu
7. It is known to heal sore throat because it is an astringent. It relaxes mucous membrane and reduces inflammation of throat, mouth and tonsils.
8. It is a mild hormonal stimulant and can be a remedy to promote regular menstruation.
9. Acts as a mild sedative and relaxes muscles
10. Good remedy for insect bites, rash type of skin conditions
11. It is also a remedy for gas related stomach pain and bloating
12. Sage is known to help to recover lost hair (in alopecia) and reduces grey hair by strengthening the hair root.

In kitchen sage is used in bread, tomato sauce, pesto, soup, corn bread, cheese, onion rings, apple dishes, biscuits etc.

Sage gargle and throat spray are two home remedies one can prepare at home.

Sage gargle:

1. Sage dry leaves – 1 Tbsp
2. Cayenne pepper – a pinch (optional)
3. Salt – 1 tsp
4. Apple cider vinegar – ½ cup
5. Goldenseal root powder – 1 tsp
6. Water – ½ cup

Preparation: Boil water and pour on to dried sage leaves. Let the leaves steep in the water for an hour. Strain and add other ingredients. Stir and dissolve the contents.

Use the liquid to gargle (1tsp 3-4 times a day). Gargle for a minute or two to get the benefit. Do not swallow the liquid, as it tastes bitter.

Throat spray:

1. Sage dry leaves – 3 Tbsp
2. Mint dry leaves powder – 1 tsp (or Peppermint essential oil – ½ tsp)
3. Honey – 1 Tbsp

Preparation:

Pour one cup hot, boiling water on sage leaves. Let it steep for half an hour.  Add mint powder or peppermint essential oil, continue steeping for another ten minutes. Add honey, mix well and store in in a spray bottle.

Spray directly in mouth and throat to get relief from cold, soar throat and pain.

Sage should not be used by nursing mother as it dries up the milk. It is also not good at higher amount (not more than 10 grams leaves) in medicines. It can cause indigestion and nausea at high levels.