Sage occurs in our everyday life much more often than it might seem. We see it blooming in the summer in the fields and in gardens, in vegetable gardens and summer cottages, we buy harvested and dried sage in pharmacies - but the beneficial substances that make up it make this bright and fragrant plant indispensable not only in folk medicine.
The Latin name for this plant - salvia - is derived from a verb meaning "to be healthy." The homeland of sage is the south of Europe. From there, it spread to other regions. Now this tall herb with purple-blue flowers grows everywhere, including in Russia. The southern visitor could not adapt only to severe frosts, although in temperate latitudes sage winters successfully, covered with snow. It does not grow on soils with a high standing of groundwater - in river lowlands, in floodplain meadows, in swampy areas. But the plant tolerates hot summer and drought perfectly.
We have only cultivated medicinal sage or its slightly feral relative. You cannot find a real wild sage in Russia.
What treasures are hidden in sage - chemical composition
The leaves and inflorescences of sage contain in large quantities:
- essential oil;
- vitamins;
- tannins;
- flavanoids;
- acids;
- microelements, etc.
These beneficial ingredients are extracted (in scientific terms, extracted) from the plant for subsequent use, if it is an industrial version, or used in folk medicine in the form of infusions, decoctions and other dosage forms.
The widespread use and fame of the healing herb sage have provided its medicinal properties. Due to its constituent substances, sage differs in:
- anti-inflammatory and antipyretic action;
- disinfectant and antiseptic;
- hemostatic;
- diuretic;
- astringent.
In addition, sage has immunostimulating properties.
Thanks to its phytoestrogens, it is used as an auxiliary herbal remedy in treatment with hormonal drugs.
Such an impressive composition allows you to treat diseases of the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. It is used in the treatment of skin diseases, in dentistry and gynecology.
Salvia's palatable properties: video
When we talk about sage grass, we mean the leaves and the top of the inflorescences. Decoctions and infusions are made from this plant material. For the broth, the dried leaves and inflorescences are poured with boiling water and allowed to brew for an hour and a half, or boil for 10 minutes and then let stand for 30 minutes. The concentration of the decoction (the amount of dry herbal remedy per volume of water), the dosage, frequency and duration of admission depends on what exactly will be treated with it, as well as on:
- the severity of the disease;
- the presence of other diseases;
- the age of the patient;
- and even his gender.
Made from sage and alcoholic tinctures, filling the raw material with vodka or medical alcohol. This drug is infused for about a month in a dark glass container, always in the light, but it must be stored in a cool, dark place. Tinctures are used both internally and externally, according to the recipe for a specific disease. They can be diluted with boiled water so as not to burn the mucous membrane.
The difference between water-based and alcohol-based sage medicinal preparations is that the decoctions are stored for a very limited amount of time, measured literally in hours, and therefore they need to be prepared in small quantities - based on semi-daily use. Alcoholic tinctures can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three years in a container with a well-ground cork or a tight-fitting lid.
When we talked about the fact that sage serves us more often than we think, we meant its use in cooking, cosmetics, perfumery and food industries. Sage raw materials are used for the preparation of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Culinary experts use dried chopped sage seasoning to add flavor and pungency to soups, sauces, and meat and fish dishes. The substances included in the herb improve digestion, so sage is especially desirable in fatty fried dishes, which are called heavy on the stomach. In these cases, it is preferable to use freshly harvested leaves. Dry sage is used in sauces, gravies, it can be a part of marinades.
By the way, sage is used to make pickled herring, as well as many meat delicacies.
Separately, it is necessary to mention the use of this plant as an aphrodisiac. Even the ancient peoples decorated the room in which the newlyweds had to spend their wedding night, stuffed small pillows with cut sage, its leaves and flowers. Sage was also a must in the dishes served at the wedding table (only for newlyweds, of course). This herb not only increased desire and passion, but also promoted conception.
Cosmetologists introduce sage into:
- creams;
- lotions;
- tonics;
- dry formulations for masks;
- shampoos;
- balms, etc.
Sage hair shampoos are great for dandruff and oily hair, while skin products soothe rashes and irritations, help tighten pores and reduce sebum production. Sage is included in acne remedies.
If we do not prepare a medicine from our own hand-picked sage, we buy it at the pharmacy. Here it occurs in the form:
- dry plant materials (herbal tea, means for preparing decoctions, infusions);
- essential oil;
- lollipops;
- aerosol.
Oil, spray and lozenges are used only in the treatment of the oral cavity and nasopharynx. Anything else needs to be treated with sage-based liquid dosage forms.
Before you start using sage for medicinal purposes, it is very important to understand that no matter how good it is, it is not a self-sufficient drug. Sage preparations always go as a concomitant, auxiliary treatment, supportive herbal medicine.
Women use sage not only to improve their appearance, but also to treat diseases of the genitourinary sphere, both caused by hormonal changes and inflammatory, with an infectious nature. For menopausal problems and infertility, a decoction is used - a teaspoon of chopped dry sage in a glass of boiling water. It is infused for 15-20 minutes, cooled down and drunk three times a day before meals.
For effective treatment of infertility the broth is taken in a course of 10 days, starting treatment on the last day of menstruation, and this is done for three months. After that, you need to take a break until the next ovulation. If your period has not come, you must definitely visit a gynecologist for an examination. If menstruation continues, sage should be drunk again.
With menopause the woman's hormonal background “cools down”, the ovaries stop producing the female hormone. As a result, dryness of the mucous membranes is observed, body weight increases due to body fat, but the main inconvenience is caused by the so-called hot flashes. With them, the skin of the face turns red, there is a feeling of heat, the woman sweats profusely. The above-mentioned decoction recipe will help to cope with this, which is used according to the following scheme: we drink for a month - we rest for three months.
With infections of the genital tract (candidiasis and others), erosion of the cervix, cervicitis and other inflammatory gynecological diseases, douching is done with a solution of three tablespoons of dry vegetable raw materials and a liter of boiling water. You can douche when it cools down to a temperature of 37 ° C. The procedure should be done twice a day - in the morning and before bedtime. This is not an independent treatment, but an auxiliary one, so it should last exactly as long as the main course of therapy lasts (1-2 weeks).
Men take a decoction and infusion of sage for male infertility, as this herb creates hormones and stimulates blood circulation in the testicles, thereby helping the production of sperm. A medicinal plant is also used for impotence and other erectile dysfunctions. A tablespoon of dry sage is brewed with a glass of hot water, after cooling, it is filtered and divided into three portions, which should be drunk half an hour before meals.
Both men and women drink sage for cystitis and urethritis. But the dosage and duration of the course must be carefully maintained, since the essential oils that make up the plant tend to settle in the kidneys and liver, having a toxic effect on the body.
The most "childish" form is lollipops. They help with a sore throat and colds, have an antiseptic effect not only on foci of infection in the nasopharynx, but also on carious teeth. The abundant saliva released during the absorption of the lozenges is swallowed, irrigating the pharynx and inflamed tonsils, and the released etheric substance acts on the nasal passages, reducing the swelling of the nasal mucosa and the amount of mucus produced.
If a decoction is made for the treatment of a child, one must remember that the concentration should be less than for an adult, and the taste should be pleasant and "edible". So, painful attacks of whooping cough is stopped by a decoction of sage with milk and honey or butter: a tablespoon of dry sage in a glass of boiling water, infused for half an hour, filtered and mixed warm with half a glass of warm milk and a teaspoon of honey. It is enough to add a teaspoon of butter, this will create a softening, soothing film on the mucous membranes. You need to take a tablespoon before bed, since whooping cough attacks occur mainly during the day.
Since the substances that are part of sage have the property of causing spasms of smooth muscles, during pregnancy, oral intake of decoctions and infusions is extremely undesirable. Such drugs can contribute to hypertonicity of the uterus and lead to miscarriages. Phytoestrogens can interfere with placental circulation, resulting in fetal malformation.
And external use is quite possible. Since taking medications during pregnancy is undesirable, for colds and sore throats, gargle with sage decoction (a tablespoon per glass of boiling water). You can add half a teaspoon of baking soda to the composition.
Often pregnant women suffer from varicose veins and swelling of the legs. Foot baths with sage will help to deal with this: 3 tablespoons per liter of boiling water, the amount needed for the bath is brewed and cooled to a comfortable, not too hot temperature. For the bath, you do not need to filter the broth. This procedure will reduce swelling, normalize venous circulation and simply relieve fatigue.
Sage toothpastes help with bleeding gums, loose teeth, and bad breath. Such pastes prevent the formation of tartar and the appearance of caries.
It is useful to rinse the mouth with sage broth - a tablespoon per liter of water, or alcohol tincture - 3 tablespoons per 0.5 alcohol or vodka, 3-4 drops of the resulting product are enough for a glass of water. The same liquid means rinse the mouth after tooth extraction, since sage helps to stop the blood from the hole and prevents infection of the hole.
For acute, subacute and chronic diseases of the nasopharynx and the respiratory tract are recommended to do inhalation with sage. For this, steam inhalation with a decoction of 2 tablespoons per liter of boiling water is used (you need to cool it, otherwise we will get a burn of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract). Special sprays are produced for the treatment of tonsillitis, bronchitis and tracheitis, as well as sprays and drops for the common cold.
Sage broth helps with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract- ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis, etc. You need to drink it before meals. It stimulates peristalsis, therefore it is recommended for patients with a tendency to constipation. For hemorrhoids, make baths and microclysters with sage.
Ulcers, burns, frostbite heal faster if sage solution is applied externally. By the way, the extract of this medicinal plant is a part of anti-burn ointments and sprays. Compresses with sage help with purulent ulcers, psoriasis, eczema. Alcohol tincture can be used to wipe your face once a day after washing your face if you are prone to acne and oily skin. You can make a combined tonic or lotion for this by adding other natural ingredients - cucumber juice, chamomile and calendula decoction, lemon juice and others.
Perfectly tones the skin of the face massage with ice cubes from frozen broth of sage. This procedure improves blood circulation, increases the elasticity of the epidermis, narrows the enlarged pores, removing the effect of shiny skin.
Sage - lozenges, instructions for use
They are also called lozenges. The most famous such remedy is Doctor Mom lollipops, which, in addition to sage, can include honey, lemon and other ingredients. Although children are willingly treated with this medicine, children should not be given this medicine until they are five years old. Up to ten years, you can take no more than three lozenges per day, after ten - no more than four. Lozenges help with sore throat, hoarseness, stomatitis and gingivitis.
It is also better for adults not to overuse such candies, since overdosing of sage is undesirable.
Contraindications, harm
The main contraindication is sage allergy. With caution, medications based on it should be taken:
- children under 3 years old;
- pregnant and lactating;
- people with diabetes mellitus;
- suffering from renal or hepatic insufficiency;
- with diseases of the thyroid gland.
Overdose can lead to overexcitation, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, skin rash, and muscle cramps and tics.
The leaves and tops of the inflorescences are harvested when the plant reaches the age of one year; in a one-year-old plant, the collection is one-time, it is made in September. In subsequent years, such collections are carried out twice or three times, as the leaves grow back. You can also mow the plant if the harvest area is industrial.
The plant must be clean, with the selection removed the coarse lower parts of the stem and brown leaves.
The grass is laid out for drying on paper, cloth, netting in a ventilated room or under a canopy, out of direct sunlight. They also tie it into bundles and hang it to dry. In summer they dry at 25 ° C, for autumn drying, a temperature of 35 ° C is needed. If the raw material is dried in an electric dryer, the corresponding mode is set.
Dried sage should be stored in an airtight container, otherwise it will lose its valuable qualities as the essential oils evaporate. It can be stored for up to two years if the storage rules are observed: a cool dry room without access to sunlight.
This oil can be treated, the dosage and method of application are written on the packages. It is used to normalize digestion and stool, for colds, dental, skin and other diseases.
It is used for aromatherapy (aroma lamps, incense), bath and oil massage.
Sage oil recipe: video
Sage is a useful medicinal plant, which contains various natural substances, including potent ones. Therefore, it must be used in compliance with the dosage and all precautions.
The sage we all know is also called the herb of longevity. Its medicinal properties help women with menopause, relieve acne, save from the appearance of premature wrinkles, make hair healthy, and also heal the body from many diseases.
Our ancestors believed that this herb prolongs life. Previously, girls used this plant to conceive a child faster. It was believed that tea brewed from sage cures various gynecological diseases, relieves infertility and stomach diseases.
Useful and healing properties of sage
There are a lot of varieties of this plant, but not all contain medicinal properties. Usually, clary sage and medicinal sage are taken for treatment. Only these types contain a lot of essential oil.
The constituent plants and their benefits to humans:
- The oil removes inflammation well and has a destructive effect on many bacteria. Most camphor is found in sage leaves, which has a positive effect on the respiratory tract. Vitamin B1 is responsible for maintaining the functioning of the nervous system and other equally important processes in the human body.
- Vitamins P are useful for strengthening the walls of blood vessels, and ascorbic acid protects the body from colds and other diseases.
- In order for biological processes to proceed correctly, nicotinic acid monitors, it also produces energy in the body.
- Sage tea rejuvenates the body. Due to the phytohormones that are present in the plant itself, the youth of the female body is prolonged.
- Sage treats diseases of the bronchi, its expectorant action can relieve bronchitis.
- Improves memory.
- Found its application during the treatment of hemorrhoids, atherosclerosis.
- Sage medicines are good anti-inflammatories. They are used when angina has overtaken, the gums are inflamed, you need to get rid of acne and various kidney diseases.
Sage in folk medicine
For many centuries, various medicinal preparations have been made from sage. This is usually a decoction, alcohol tincture, oil, water-based tincture, or powder. The most beneficial substances in a plant are found in leaves and flowers.
Recipes:
- If you need to improve your memory. Pour 20 grams of sage in a glass of boiling water. It is worth insisting the broth, strain through a strainer and take inside. Drink 1 tbsp. spoon in the morning, afternoon and evening.
- When a person suffers from atherosclerosis, sage tincture may help. For such an infusion, you need a container with a tight lid. We put three tablespoons of the plant there and pour 0.5 liters of vodka. The closed container should be exposed to the sun for 30 days. Take 1 tbsp every morning before meals. spoon.
- Sage, infused with water, easily eliminates inflammation. To prepare such an infusion, half a spoonful of the herb is poured with boiling water, and kept for about two hours. Then the infusion is filtered and you can already use it. It is good to make compresses from such a remedy and wash the wounds. This infusion helps to remove herpes and dermatitis.
- You can caress your mouth and throat with an aqueous sage infusion when you need to cope with sore throat, stomatitis, gingivitis or periodontal disease.
- Frequent mood swings, nervous tension, sleepless nights. Before going to bed, you need to drink the infusion. Take a pinch of a dry plant and pour over a glass of boiling water. Let cool slightly and take overnight.
- A decoction made from sage will help to improve the digestion process. Pour boiling water over one spoonful of sage herb and let stand for a while. Drink before meals for 20 minutes, four times a day. To completely normalize the digestive system, the broth is drunk for ten days. The beneficial properties of the herb will improve digestion, food will be absorbed more easily, and constipation, diarrhea and flatulence will go away.
- To get rid of hemorrhoids, you need to be treated for ten days with an infusion of the herb. For infusion, you need to take three tablespoons of the plant and pour 100 ml of water. After the liquid is infused, it is diluted with water as needed. Consume 50 ml 2-3 times a day.
Any woman always wants to look beautiful, well-groomed and, of course, young. Sage can help with this. Many years ago, this plant was called the female herb. Sage is rich in phytohormones that contribute to an active anti-aging effect.
During menopause, sage significantly reduces sweating and relieves hot flashes well.
To cure infertility, this herb has been used for a long time and pleases with its positive results. The walls of the uterus are strengthened, and the woman easily bears the fetus until the very birth. This plant also treats inflammatory gynecological diseases.
After a woman gives birth, she breastfeeds her baby for a certain period of time, but this will not always be the case, and the time comes to complete the breastfeeding process. At this moment, the woman feels unpleasant sensations. Sage can make this process more comfortable to complete. Tea or infusion of the plant will reduce the amount of milk, the discomfort will be much less. You can buy ready-made sage tea at the pharmacy or brew one tablespoon in 200 ml of hot water. In order for the lactation process to be successfully terminated, no more than two glasses of such tea should be drunk per day.
Girls who cannot get pregnant for a long time take a decoction of the herb. It helps a lot, helping to ensure that the conception is successful. For such a broth, take a spoonful of sage and pour 200 ml. hot water. Then, it is put in a water bath for 10 minutes, the mixture must be stirred occasionally. It should stand for an hour. The next step in preparing it is to strain the liquid. Everything can be taken to prepare the body for conception. The decoction should be like this. On the fifth day of menstruation, before meals, drink 50 ml. Divide a glass of broth for a day. This should be continued for ten days before ovulation begins. Immediately after it starts, you no longer need to drink the broth. It is not always possible to get pregnant the first time, therefore, if it was not possible to conceive a child, they begin to take the broth again on the fifth day of menstruation.
Sage should not be taken for more than three months. If, nevertheless, it did not work out to get pregnant, then you need to take a break for 60 days. As soon as pregnancy occurs, the broth should be stopped immediately.
The use of sage in cooking
Sage has been used in cooking for a very long time. Its main purpose in dishes is spice. The strong and spicy aroma at the tops of the sage shows up well when roasted.
Spice is added to meat and fish dishes, used to make sausages and other culinary delights. It is an indispensable ingredient for sauce and pâté. The drinks contain aromatic additives, so sage is also included there.
Almost every woman uses creams, but not everyone knows that they often contain such an herb as sage. It contributes to the normal functioning of metabolic processes, skin hydration and its healthy appearance. Our ancestors treated acne with sage, making the most of its antibacterial properties. They cleaned their pores, normalized the work of the sebaceous glands.
- For dry skin, you can make a sage mask. You need to take 20 grams. oat flour and mix with the same amount of yogurt or sour cream. Add four drops of sage essential oil to this mixture. Mix everything well and apply to clean skin. Hold for ten minutes and rinse.
- For girls with oily skin type, you can use a lotion. To do it, you need to steam a pinch of herbs in 200 ml of warm water. Let it brew and strain. Combine the liquid with apple cider vinegar in one-to-one proportions. The face is wiped with this lotion in the morning and in the evening. Store in a cool place.
- To prepare a lotion for cleansing the skin, take a spoonful of the plant and pour a glass of boiling water. You need to insist eight hours. A thermos is used as a container. As soon as the liquid has completely cooled down, add vodka (one tablespoon). Wipe your face after waking up and before going to bed.
- In order to give the skin a healthy look, to restore it to tone, a simple face mask is used. It also shrinks pores well. Two tablespoons of the herb are poured over 200 ml of hot water. We make a water bath and keep it for half an hour. The liquid has cooled down, add a little honey and a few drops of lemon juice. A compress is made from this mixture on the face and problem areas. Soak for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. This broth is well suited for daily wiping of the face and décolleté.
- To prepare a sage bath, you first need to make a decoction. Pour some leaves with one liter of water and boil for half an hour. It is good if the broth is prepared in advance, and has time to infuse. Take a bath of water and pour the broth into it. Such baths cleanse and soothe the skin, making it easier to endure hot weather.
- When you need to get rid of dandruff and restore smoothness and silkiness to your hair, you can use a liter of hot water and one hundred grams of sage. All this is brewed in a thermos. Hair is rinsed with infusion; after the procedure, you do not need to wring it out, let it dry on its own. This will only strengthen them and return their natural beauty.
- Sage oil is often used to maintain healthy hair. This product improves hair growth, strengthens and stimulates new hair growth. So that the hair is not only beautiful, but also healthy, does not fall out and maintain its natural shine, you need to add sage oil to the shampoo, which is used for daily shampooing. Usually five drops of oil are mixed in 15 ml of shampoo. This cosmetic product is used as a regular shampoo. It is applied to the hair, kept for several minutes and washed off thoroughly with warm water.
It is not difficult to prepare medicinal drinks or sage decoctions on your own and at home.
- Sage tea is easy to make. For one teaspoon of the plant, you need a fourth of a glass of boiling water. You need to insist for ten minutes.
- Sage is a herb that prolongs life and gives youth. You can make sage wine. Take 4 tbsp. spoons of a plant, there should be leaves and flowers. Pour in dry white wine, half a liter will be enough. The wine should stand for 14 days in a dark place. Periodically, the container with the liquid must be turned over. The liquid is filtered and considered ready for use. You need to drink wine twice a day, 30 ml. Such an elixir will help eliminate inflammatory processes, improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and break down fats. It is important to remember that such wine should not be consumed for a long time. There should be no more than three courses of two weeks per year.
- To prepare a vodka infusion, you need to take half a glass of vodka and plant flowers. If it is a fresh plant, then one glass, and if it is already dry and crushed grass, then half a glass will be just right. You need to insist forty days. The container with the liquid should be in the sun at this time. Then strain and take as medicine. Before taking, the infusion is diluted in half with water. Each time, before eating, be sure to take one tablespoon of this product. The plant has a beneficial effect on the human body, and for the elderly, such an infusion is especially useful.
- Sage can be used to make a stimulant. You need to take one liter of red wine and pour it over one hundred grams of sage leaves. It should be infused for a week. Drink this infusion twice a day, 25-30 ml.
- You can also make a universal tea from sage, which will be useful for the whole body and strengthen the immune system. For brewing tea, take 20 grams of mint and sage, and another teaspoon of anise. The herbal mixture is poured into 200 ml of boiling water and drunk three times a day for a quarter of a glass. If the taste of the tea is not very pleasant, then you can add a little honey. The duration of such a course should not be more than 20 days.
A plant like sage will cure many diseases. The main thing is that all proportions are observed in the medicine prepared independently and at home, then the body will benefit and improve its health.
Contraindications
Many people think that the plant cannot do harm and that the treatment is completely harmless. Medicinal herbs are used to treat various diseases because they contain many medicinal components. But, these components do not always have a positive result for the body. Sage has many contraindications to be aware of.
- If the patient has hypersensitivity to even one of the sage constituents, then it should not be taken. An allergic reaction to such a plant is rare, but if this happens, then you should stop taking sage right away.
- During pregnancy and lactation, you must strictly refrain from using sage, even in the smallest dosages.
- You can not use decoctions inside during breastfeeding, as milk will disappear from it.
- The plant contains a large amount of phytohormones, therefore, with amenorrhea, high estrogen content, polycystic ovaries, sage treatment is contraindicated.
- If there is a lack of progesterone, sage preparations should not be taken.
- If the thyroid gland is disrupted, low blood pressure is not recommended to be treated with sage, but it is possible if it is used carefully and only after the appointment of a medical specialist.
- Any preparation containing sage should not be given to young children. Sage contains a narcotic substance, it is the hallucinogen salvinorin-A.
- Sage should not be used if there is kidney disease such as acute nephritis and pyeloniphritis. People suffering from insomnia, nervous disorders, frequent breakdowns and depression can use sage preparations for treatment, but only after a doctor's prescription. Self-medication and inappropriate dosages will only worsen the condition and lead to side effects.
- Patients with diabetes are not recommended to be treated with lozenges and sage cough drops. They contain additional substances that can worsen the patient's condition. With such a disease, it is better to rinse the mouth and throat with sage infusion without additives.
You need to know that sage preparations cannot be constantly taken. Every three months of taking medication, you need to take a break, and at least 21 days. During this time, resins and tannins, which are in the composition of the medicinal herb, will be removed from the body.
Video: useful properties and uses of sage
Sage is a unique plant that treats diseases in all countries of the world. The path of a natural healer began with the words of Hippocrates, who called it the source of health, beauty and vitality. Among all the varieties of medicinal herbs (there are about 900 of them), the Ethiopian, Spanish, Muscat, meadow varieties are considered the most useful.
Infusion and decoction of sage contain great healing power that can cure even infertility, not to mention colds, indigestion and various inflammations.
Chemical "filling"
Sage contains a huge number of useful substances: flavonoids, mineral salts, phytoncides, essential oils, organic acids, vitamins of group A, B, PP, choline, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, copper, iron and rare vitamin K. Interaction of all of these microelements and provides the plant with the glory of an all-powerful healer.
Collection of raw materials
Sage is not found in the wild on the lands of Russia. It is usually cultivated in the Crimea, the Caucasus and the southern regions of the country. For medicinal purposes, the leaves of the plant are used, which have a strong aroma and a bitter aftertaste with the presence of spicy notes. Sage tea has a strong astringent and anti-inflammatory effect and is used both internally and externally. The plant is often used in cooking, adding as a spice to meats, snacks and baked goods.
The collection of medicinal raw materials usually occurs during the period of bud formation. At the same time, the upper parts of the stems and leaves are collected, which are then dried in a draft and away from sunlight.
Attention! Sage can be harvested 2-3 times a summer, as its leaves and stems periodically grow back.
7 facets of a medicinal plant
Sage decoction, the use of which is not limited to medicine alone, has a multifaceted therapeutic effect:
- has an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, bactericidal and healing effect;
- has urinary and diaphoretic properties;
- taken for general strengthening purposes;
- enhances immunity;
- improves the activity of the gastrointestinal tract;
- expels colds and flu;
- treats infertility, atherosclerosis and hemorrhoids.
Attention! With the regular intake of broth of sage inside, extra pounds go away.
Culinary exploitation
Sage is a favorite spice of chefs and gourmets who use it both fresh and dried. Freshly picked leaves of the plant improve the taste of dishes made from meat, fish and vegetables, and dried leaves act as a seasoning for sauces, soups, broths. On top of that, sage is an excellent base for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Medical purpose
Salvia officinalis is an ardent fighter against many diseases, from mild colds to infertility. Consider a few healing recipes based on it.
With infertility
Even in ancient Egypt, women actively drank sage broth to get pregnant. In those days, it was generously seasoned with salt, but modern medicine does not accept the old recipe.
A modern remedy for infertility is prepared as follows: the dried leaves of the plant (1 tablespoon) are poured with boiling water (200-300 ml), boiled over moderate heat for 10 minutes and insisted for half an hour. The finished broth is filtered and taken 3 times a day, 1 tablespoon.
Attention! The recipe, in addition to healing infertility, improves memory and stops lactation.
With atherosclerosis
Sage herb has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, relieving stress, tension and healing atherosclerosis. For people suffering from this disease, and for elderly patients, doctors recommend drinking an alcoholic tincture of the plant.
For its preparation, dry, chopped sage leaves (3 tablespoons) are poured with vodka or alcohol (0.5 liters) and insisted for 30 days in a sunny place in a hermetically sealed dark glass container. Ready tincture is drunk 1 tablespoon once a day and always on an empty stomach. Store the liquid in the refrigerator.
With inflammation
Sage decoction perfectly relieves both internal and external inflammation. To prepare a healing agent, pour the dried leaves (2 teaspoons) with boiling water (1-2 glasses) and leave to infuse for 1-2 hours. The finished strained broth is used for many purposes:
- as lotions and compresses for bruises, bruises, sprains and hematomas;
- for washing wounds, cuts and burns;
- for the treatment of dermatitis and herpes;
- for rinsing with periodontal disease, caries, gingivitis, stomatitis, sore throat, ulcers in the corners of the mouth and other inflammations of the oral cavity (3-4 times a day);
- for douching for infectious diseases of the genitourinary organs, for vaginitis and vulvitis;
- with inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and gallbladder (in this case, the broth of sage is taken orally, 1 tablespoon every 2-3 hours).
As a sedative
Sage has a powerful sedative effect, helps with insomnia, nervous breakdowns and increased excitability. It is a great medicine for stress, neuralgia, depression and mood swings (especially during menopause).
To do this, pour dry leaves (1 teaspoon) with boiling water (glass) and drink while looking at night.
In case of diseases of the respiratory tract
To cure pneumonia, bronchitis and other ailments of the upper respiratory tract will help the use of a decoction of sage in milk. To prepare a healing drink, pour the leaves of the plant (1 teaspoon) with hot milk (1 glass), boil over low heat for 7-8 minutes and leave for a quarter of an hour. Then filter the broth, squeeze and boil again. Drink hot at night. The product has excellent expectorant properties and effectively removes mucus from the lungs.
For digestive disorders
A weak sage infusion (1 teaspoon of raw materials per 0.5 liters of boiling water), taken 3-4 times a day, 1 tablespoon before a meal, improves digestion, eliminates constipation, abdominal cramps and bloating. Duration of admission for these problems is 10 days.
With hemorrhoids
Pour 3 tablespoons of dry raw materials with 100-150 ml of boiling water and dilute the broth to the required volume with boiled water. Perform enemas daily with the resulting liquid. After a week, the disease will be eliminated.
For colds and flu
Many people are interested in whether it is possible to drink a decoction of sage with acute respiratory infections and colds? Traditional healers respond positively. In this case, tea is prepared from linden and sage (1 tablespoon of dried raw materials per 1 liter of boiling water). The duet of two medicinal plants, rich in resins and essential oils, acts as an effective prophylactic and therapeutic agent that drives out colds, flu and strengthens the immune system.
The use of sage in cosmetology
For face
In cosmetology, a decoction of sage for the face (1 tablespoon per glass of boiling water) solves many problems:
- Eliminates acne, pimples, rashes and various skin rashes. This is facilitated by the antibacterial qualities of sage. It relieves inflammation, soothes the skin, cleanses the pores, and normalizes the sebaceous glands.
- With the help of compresses, it removes dark circles under the eyes, refreshes and tones the skin.
- Moisturizes dry skin and normalizes metabolic processes.
- Due to the presence of phytohormones, sage infusions are able to have a rejuvenating effect. After a series of procedures, the skin becomes elastic, silky and smooth, fine wrinkles are smoothed out. The plant restores hormonal balance and promotes complete regeneration of the skin.
Attention! Sage broth can be used for lotions and washes, or you can freeze it in an ice cube. The resulting cubes should be rubbed onto the face once a day.
For hair
Sage broth is also actively used for hair. Rinsing your head with it after washing, you get rid of dandruff, stop the processes of hair loss and activate the growth of hair follicles. Your curls will get a glossy shine, silkiness and healthy elasticity.
Masks and balms based on this plant eliminate oily sheen, control the work of the sebaceous glands and treat seborrhea and dermatitis.
Contraindications
Attention! An overdose of the drug can cause severe headaches and poisoning of the body.
Excessive use of the drug is fraught with poisoning of the body.
Like all medicinal plants, sage has contraindications. Its reception (internally and externally) is prohibited:
- during pregnancy and lactation;
- in case of malfunctions of the pancreas;
- with hypertension:
- for diseases of the uterus: myoma and endometriosis;
- with polycystic ovary;
- with allergies.
Attention! In case of daily intake of sage broth, interrupt the course for 20-30 days every 3 months. This is necessary so that the body is cleansed of tannins and resins contained in the plant.
A small, but at the same time quite noticeable plant, with an average height of up to 60 cm, although sometimes there are meter-high giants. Covered with green, gray-tinted leaves that look like ivy and blooming with small flowers of all shades of lilac. From pale pink to dark, almost purple. This is what sage looks like. Despite the fact that this plant comes from the Mediterranean, today it can be seen almost everywhere.
Sage grows in wild fields and summer cottages, loves mountain slopes, and sometimes even occurs on roadsides. Although meadow sage usually grows in the wild, its useful relative, medicinal sage, is not so common in nature. Meanwhile, it is this plant that is recognized as healing not only by folk, but also by official medicine.
According to one of the versions, the name of sage is formed by two ancient Greek words, which in translation mean: health and sun. This name is well deserved, because not every plant can boast of such a rich set of nutrients.
Sage contains:
- The substance salvin, which is a unique natural antibiotic, is almost as active as penicillins and can help even with infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
- Linalool and Cineole are the main components of essential oils that also have antibacterial properties.
- Coumarin - is found mainly in the roots of the plant, but there is also a small amount in the grass. Has a proven ability to reduce blood viscosity and protect the body from cancer.
- B vitamins are essential substances for the human nervous system.
- Rosmarinic acid, in addition to its pronounced antioxidant properties, also has an antiviral effect.
- Flavonoids are substances that can relieve spasms, increase the elasticity of the vascular walls and maintain them in normal tone.
- Tannins, which are also found in large quantities in the roots of the plant and are distinguished by their ability to remove free radicals, toxins, heavy metals and other aggressive substances from the body.
- Phytoestrogens are substances that, in terms of their effects on humans, are similar to female sex hormones.
Sage is known not only for its medicinal properties, but also for its culinary properties. In Italy, it is used in recipes with veal, in France in the preparation of pork, and in America, turkey liver is prepared with it.
Properties
In the case of sage, modern science not only does not refute, but on the contrary confirms its effectiveness in many inflammatory diseases. Especially associated with the respiratory tract. It is thanks to the rich chemical composition that the plant itself and preparations based on it are often drunk:
- For common colds and flu, especially when accompanied by a cough.
- With tonsillitis, both viral and bacterial in nature.
- With inflammation in the trachea, bronchi or lungs.
- With inflammation in the oral cavity, regardless of the cause that caused them.
- To maintain immunity and strengthen the nervous system after or during an illness or with a sharp change in climatic zones.
How to brew?
In order for you to get the maximum benefit from a medicinal plant, it must be brewed correctly. If you do not withstand the desired temperature or infusion time of the broth, then some of the nutrients may collapse and such a remedy will be ineffective.
There are two methods of preparation - this is the traditional infusion for ingestion and tea with sage. How to brew sage properly in order to preserve all its benefits? In fact, everything is quite simple, for this you need:
- Take a large container, for example a five-liter saucepan, pour hot water and place a smaller container in it, so that it is about half submerged in water.
- Pour grass into a smaller container, at the rate of a teaspoon per 200 ml of boiling water, pour water and close the lid.
- Put the entire structure on fire and heat for no more than 15 minutes. In doing so, be sure to make sure that the water does not boil too much.
- Strain the boiled sage, add honey to taste.
- Take a third of a glass up to three times a day.
In order to make tea you need:
- Take three teaspoons of tea, no difference green or black, and mix with a teaspoon of sage.
- Pour boiling water over a teapot with a volume of about 500 ml.
- Put the resulting mixture in a kettle and pour boiling water over about 2/3 of the volume.
- Wait 10 minutes, top up with water and let it brew for another 10 minutes.
- You can add honey, sugar or lemon.
- You can drink tea during the day, but not longer than two weeks.
A ready-made broth or tea with sage retains its healing properties for no longer than a day. Therefore, it is not worth doing it with a large margin.
Recipes
Can sage be drunk with other herbs? Yes, of course, you can take it not only as an independent remedy, but also add it to various fees that can help with colds, flu, support immunity and relieve inflammation. How to brew complete sage? To do this, you will need the following recipes:
- With inflammation and sore throat, regardless of the reasons that caused them. Even if the cause of mucosal damage is trauma or burns. Mix equal parts sage, calendula, chamomile and thyme herb. Then 10 gr. pour 200 ml of boiling water into the mixture and let it brew for about 30 minutes. It is more convenient to prepare such a broth in a thermos. Divide the resulting product into two parts and gargle in the morning and evening.
- When coughing, you can make sage milk. To do this, heat 200 ml of milk and add 20 g to it. herbs. Cover and set aside to brew for 20 minutes. The resulting product must be filtered and consumed before bedtime, but no more than two weeks. This remedy can also be given to children, but only over 5 years old and 1/2 glass a day.
- With ARVI or flu. Mix 5 gr. sage and mint and add 10 gr. nettle, then brew the collection in 300 ml of boiling water and let it brew for about 15 minutes. Drink during the day, if desired, you can add lemon to the brewed tea and sweeten it with honey.
- To maintain immunity during illness, fir sbiten is great. For its preparation 25 gr. sage herbs, three inflorescences of dried cloves and 50 gr. pour a liter of boiling water over the fir. Heat the mixture over low heat, without boiling violently, for about 15–20 minutes. For taste, honey, a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon can be added to the decoction taken. Strain the drink, drink it warm in a glass, once a day. The course of treatment is two weeks.
If you have neither the time nor the desire to prepare decoctions at home, then you can purchase ready-made preparations with sage, for example, Doctor Theiss lollipops or syrup or Nature Produkt lozenges.
Contraindications
Sage is one of the most popular medicinal plants. This is probably why there is an opinion that anyone can drink decoctions and tea with it, without any restrictions. However, this is not at all the case.
Sage is contraindicated:
- At any stage of pregnancy, as the phytoestrogens contained in the plant can cause complications.
- When breastfeeding, again due to phytoestrogens, which can provoke a decrease in the amount of milk.
- For any ailments associated with an increase in estrogen, for example, with endometriosis or endometrial hyperplasia.
- In severe diseases of the kidneys, liver, thyroid gland, especially in the acute stage.
- With epilepsy, hypertension, or, conversely, with reduced pressure.
With caution, you can still use sage and sage-based products for those who, in the past or in the present, have allergies to plants.
Sage, like products containing it, should not be taken orally longer than the prescribed course, which can be from 7 to 21 days. Repeated courses of treatment can be carried out no earlier than a month later.
The healing properties of sage have been known to people for a long time and often help in the treatment of many diseases. However, if you have doubts about whether this plant is suitable for you or your child, then before starting treatment, be sure to consult with your doctor.
Greetings, dear readers!
Sage treatment has a long history. The ancient Egyptians added this herb to medicinal preparations for the treatment of infertility, rejuvenation of the body, health benefits and prolongation of life. Hippocrates called it a sacred plant. And the alchemists of the Middle Ages tried in vain to get a philosopher's stone on its basis.
Sage is recognized today official pharmacopoeia. With the help of its infusion, you can quickly get rid of respiratory diseases, stop pain symptoms, normalize the nervous system, and much more. However, is it possible to drink sage like tea - only the attending physician should answer this question.
After all, having nothing against the use of this fragrant herb, experts still strongly advise to adhere to certain rules when using it. Since inept handling of this medicinal plant or an overdose of finished preparations can cause severe headaches, weakness, or signs of general intoxication in a person.
Therefore, in order to understand what and what, I will tell you what sage is, what it contains, what healing properties it has and how to brew it.
Many of us are familiar with the bright blue flowers of sage, a perennial herbaceous plant that grows most often in open steppes, meadows, or sunny forest edges.
They have a bitter spicy aftertaste and are fragrant with a special sweet-tart aroma of nectar. Of the biodiversity, the most popular are medicinal sage, clary sage and wild sage.
Today our conversation will be about medicinal or a pharmacy variety of this plant, the leaves and flowering tops of which are used in medicine. The benefits of sage for the human body are hidden behind its rich composition:
- Vitamins from group E, A, C, PP;
- Flavonoids;
- Tannins;
- Beta carotenes;
- Alkaloids;
- Essential oils;
- Organic oleic, ursular, nicotinic acids;
- Micro and macro elements:
- calcium;
- copper;
- magnesium;
- gland;
- manganese;
- Selena;
- zinc;
- potassium.
The unique combination of these biologically active nutrients provides sage with powerful:
- Antimicrobial;
- Estrogenic;
- Astringents;
- Disinfectants;
- Antioxidant;
- Hemostatic;
- Immunomodulatory;
- Antispasmodic;
- Hepatoprotective;
- Anti-putrefactive properties.
Indications for use
Recently, the uncontrolled hobby for medicines, of course, has a negative effect on the human body. However, we completely forget about sage, which helps to cope with various diseases. Although it is the perfect solution for children for colds.
It is very useful for preschoolers to make baths by adding a decoction of this herb together with sea salt. For older children, you can mix a teaspoon of sage infusion with a glass of warm milk and a spoonful of honey. It is usually very good to give this remedy at night for colds. It's great:
- Stops the cough reflex;
- Relieves swelling of the tonsils;
- Relieves pain in the throat;
- Reduces perspiration;
- Removes toxins from the body;
- Strengthens the nervous system.
The benefits of sage tea have long been recognized by official medicine. After all, its therapeutic activity allows speed up recovery a person and improve his condition when:
- Angina;
- Stomatitis;
- Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract;
- Gingivitis;
- Diabetes mellitus;
- Periodontal disease;
- Thyrotoxicosis;
- Radiculitis;
- Arthrosis;
- Intervertebral hernias;
- Increased nervous excitability;
- Apathy;
- Weakness;
- Osteochondrosis;
- Fatigue;
- Autoimmune pathologies.
Drinking tea helps people who do not follow a healthy diet, eat fatty or fried foods. After all, it helps to eliminate them dyspeptic disorders:
- Nausea;
- Vomiting;
- Stomach pain or cramps;
- Increased gas formation.
Very often, neurologists or cardiologists recommend drinking a cup of sage tea every day to people who have undergone stroke, throughout the month. Since it allows:
- Speed up the rehabilitation process;
- Have a beneficial effect on small vessels;
- Restore speech function;
- Improve memory;
- Relieve spasms and normalize blood circulation in the vessels of the brain.
At the same time, I would like to tell you separately about the benefits of sage:
For women
The healing power of sage allows many women to cope with uterine fibroids, vaginitis, endometritis and other gynecological pathologies. She helps them:
- Regulate sexual function;
- Strengthen the nervous system;
- Reduce lactation to make it easier to transfer the baby to bottle feeding.
However, the primary purpose of sage is fight against infertility, which is caused by a low level of estrogen in a woman's body. At the same time, gynecologists and traditional healers recommend the use of its tincture according to a certain scheme.
Treatment should begin during menstruation from the third or fourth day with a 28-day cycle, and end in a week, when the egg cell reaches its maximum size. Thus, a woman:
- The hemostatic effect will not be disturbed.
- The uterine cavity will be fully cleansed.
- The egg is stimulated.
- The fertilization process will favorably occur.
- The embryo will attach well to the wall of the uterus.
For men
A huge amount of biologically active elements in the composition of sage can improve men's health. The use of this natural aphrodisiac allows representatives of the strongly gender:
- Increase potency and sexual activity;
- Optimize the work of the reproductive system;
- Stimulate metabolic processes;
- Fight urinary infections;
- Increase the production of testosterone.
Cooking recipes
In order for tea or sage infusion to be useful for the human body, you need to know how to use and brew them correctly. Traditionally, tea can be prepared in several ways.
First
Take 30 gr. dried pharmaceutical sage. Pour a glass of boiling water over it. Leave for 10 minutes, and then strain. This tea should be drunk warm half an hour before meals. One-time admission for an adult is a third of a glass.
Second
Here you need to take 3 teaspoons of regular loose leaf tea along with a teaspoon of pharmaceutical sage. Pour the mixture with half a liter of boiling water and let it stand warm for about 10 minutes. To improve the taste and increase the healing activity, you can add here in small quantities:
- Sugar;
- Mint;
- Elecampane;
- Eucalyptus;
- Lemon juice;
- St. John's wort.
Usually, adults need to drink no more than 200ml. tea a day. For children, this dose should be reduced by two or three times, as the doctor prescribes.
For cooking infusion you need to pour a tablespoon of pharmaceutical raw materials with a glass of boiling water, cover and wait 40 minutes. The finished infusion should be filtered and used for internal use, as the doctor recommends.
Finishing my story, I want to say, like all medicinal herbs, sage can cause an overdose, due to the fact that its constituent substances can accumulate in the body. Therefore his should not be consumed at:
- Hormonal disorders;
- Pregnancy;
- Neoplasms of any etiology;
- Lactation.
When doing this, always consult with a doctor, buy only a high-quality product at the pharmacy and be healthy.
Enjoy your tea! See you!
