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Sage is a Wise Choice

Sage smells absolutely delicious. It instantly initiates thoughts of fall and warm memories of Thanksgivings past. It always amazes me that herbs can be delectable AND healing for our bodies at the same time. I love it so much it has a permanent residence in my garden. Pro tip: steep a few leaves of fresh sage with fresh lemon balm in a cup of hot water for about 10 minutes. Mix it with some stevia for one refreshingly yummy tea. You will become addicted! Bonus, it calms your nervous system, reduces hot flashes and helps with memory. I call it my Menopause Magic Mix.

Sage – or salvia officinalis – stands the test of time. Though many reduce it to a minor background role in the kitchen pantry, historically it has held VIH status for more than just its flavor. (VIH = Very Important Herb, obviously)

With the understanding that it possesses powerful therapeutic properties, sage has been used for generations to treat health problems.

And if ancient wisdom isn’t enough to convince you – a number of studies have provided clinical support to the idea that this herb might well be something worth adding to your diet.

What Are the Benefits?

Reduces Blood Sugar

In the absence of modern medication, sage has traditionally been used to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Salvia Officinalis has been shown to decrease serum glucose without affecting pancreatic insulin production.

In another study, the twice-daily consumption of sage tea lead to an improved lipid profile, and an improvement in diabetic conditions. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003706/

Decreases Menopause Symptoms

Reaching menopause can often feel like you’re generating enough heat to power a small planet. Hot flashes, excessive sweating, and general temperature-control issues are a common ailment. But a once-daily application of fresh sage extract has been demonstrated to help alleviate such issues thus reducing trips to stand in front of the freezer.

In fact, the consumption of salvia in tablet form has been shown to positively impact a range of menopause symptoms, including panic, fatigue, and vaginal dryness. The latter – which effects upwards of 30% of women – can be effectively treated using a sage infused moisturizer and lubricant.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003706/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6136974/

Lowers Cholesterol

Though cholesterol levels naturally increase as you age, there are measures you can take to reduce the chance that it becomes a serious matter.

Beyond the obvious recommendations from your health care provider, herbal remedies can be valuable in your fight to keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range.

Studies conducted have shown that an extract of sage can lower plasma cholesterol and improve that HDL/LDL ratio, without any need for the pharmaceutical drugs that are typically prescribed.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003706/

Memory and Cognition

It doesn’t matter how old or young you are physically, losing your cognitive faculties is scary. Memory-loss in particular can be a distressing side-effect of ageing.

Several clinical studies have indicated how the salvia species can be beneficial in mental disorders, helping improve cognitive function. This includes the speed of memory (only takes 2 minutes to remember where you put your keys instead of 30), and overall mood (not even going to put an example here).

Traditionally, variations of sage have been used to treat degrading mental function in conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease. It has also been suggested that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of this incredible herb may provide long-term protection against dementia.

As you can see, sage has tons of benefits that go beyond its scrumptious flavor and divine smell. Try making tea combinations with other herbs or start adding it to dishes as an extra flavor boost and reap the benefits![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]