What is Sage Good For?

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Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a good herb to grow in the herb or vege garden. It is a good companion plant for brassicas, carrots, tomatoes and strawberries.

Gargling an infusion of sage can be good for sore throats, quinsy, tonsillitis, stomatitis, mouth ulcers and gingivitis, due to it's antibacterial and antiviral constituents. 

Drunk as a herb tea, it can have a relaxing, restorative effect and may help to improve mood and cognitive function, and can be beneficial for digestive issues such as gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, colic, flatulence and indigestion.

It is good for reducing perspiration and also has oestrogenic effects on the body, making it a beneficial herb for menopausal symptoms such as night sweats and hot flushes. 

An infusion of sage can be used as a hair rinse to condition the hair. 

Sage can help to dry up milk at the end of a term of breast-feeding. For this reason it should be avoided during lactation, and also avoided during pregnancy as it is an emmenagogue (i.e promotes menstruation).

Sage is also a good aromatic culinary herb, adding a mildly spicy, bitter and astringent taste to food. It is a good source of B vitamins and vitamins A and C, and is high in calcium, plus potassium, magnesium, and iron, as well as trace amounts of numerous other minerals.

Power of Nature NZ