Sage

For centuries common Sage, a familiar herb of the kitchen garden has been highly regarded as a therapeutic and traditional medicine. It has been used as a general tonic useful for weak and exhausted states, it also tones the nervous system and lifts the spirits of those who smell the delightful aroma.

Sage originated from the northern shores of the Mediterranean and has been cultivated for use for hundreds of years. It is a hardy, fragrant herb that is refreshing in herbal teas.

The key therapeutic uses of Sage are:

• antiseptic
• astringent
• digestive
• antioxidant
• nerve tonic
• antispasmodic
• bitter tonic
• antihydrotic

REPRODUCTIVE

Sage is a very helpful herb for women, it helps to regulate periods while bringing on delayed or scanty periods. It is especially useful at the change of life stage for women to help diminish hot flushes and lift depression tendencies. Sage is also an excellent remedy for treating irregular and light menstruation, and this is achieved by encouraging a better flow of blood, it can also be used in situations where fertility is a problem. Culpepper (an olde world herbalist) commented that Sage is “good for the liver and breeds blood” as it helps to bring down a women’s courses (stimulates menstrual flow).

Sage is excellent for addressing the various symptoms of menopause, as the herb is effective for reducing sweating (due to its cooling properties), a primary indicator of menopause. Sage, because it has a combination of tonic and hormonal balancing effects, is deemed as an excellent remedy for reducing hot flashes while at the same time helping the body to adapt to the hormonal changes involved.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

Sage is believed to restore energy, strength and vitality as well as helping those with a poor memory. In Chinese medicine, Sage enjoys a good reputation as a versatile nerve tonic, as it is used as a yin tonic for helping to calm and stimulate the nervous system.

DIGESTION

Sage makes a good digestive remedy, the volatile oils contained in the plant have a relaxant effect on the smooth muscle of the digestive tract, while in conjunction with the bitters, they stimulate the appetite and improve digestion. Sage encourages the flow of digestive enzymes and bile, settles the stomach, relieves colic, wind, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, and colitis and is known to be helpful to the digestion, having a tonic effect on the liver

ANTI-AGING

Sage possesses potent antioxidant properties, and this proves to be helpful in bringing about a delay in the aging process and in reducing the harmful effects of free radicals.

SIMPLE WAYS TO USE SAGE IN YOUR DAY….

• Sage tea with a little drop of honey is ideal for the weary worn women feeling beaten down by life and its demands.
• Sage tea, cold with a little lemon to flavor is the best treatment for excessive sweating, all that is required is 2-3 cups.
• Take about 100g fresh sage leaves, add 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 300ml sunflower oil.  Make the ingredients into an infused oil by adding them to a bottle that can seal (let the leaves and nutmeg infuse into the oil for approximately 1 week).  Use as a massage oil for twitchy, overexcited extremities, and for numb or tingling areas.
• The essential oil of Sage can be used as an inhalation (add a few drops to a bowl of steaming water) to disinfect the airways
• Are you brave enough to add some pungent Sage to your Happy Hormones morning juice?

SUMMARY

Sage is such an old remedy that has a real affinity for women. It has helped women for centuries and was passed down from mother to daughter. There is no reason why it will not have the same amazing benefits for modern-day women so use this simple, beautiful herb as part of your daily health regime.