Before pharmaceutical companies exploded with over-the-counter medications for colds, headaches, and pain to name a few, common ailments, such as those named, were treated by our Ancestors with foods, herbs, roots, and spices. As I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s for those common ailments, that is how my Mama and Grandma treated them. A chest cold was treated with sliced onion, applied to the chest and held in place with a piece of cloth wrapped around you. The next morning, the cold was nearly gone. I don’t know how many times I had to go out to the yard and pick dandelions for dandelion tea. The roots and flower were boiled to take care of an upset stomach and other issues.

But before I get to the health benefits of sage, let me share some other information about this powerful herb. The scientific name for sage Salvia, comes from the Latin word salveo, which means salvation, to be in good health, and to heal. Believe it or not there are 900 species of sage.

Sage is also a fantastic repellent for insects, deer, rodents, and rabbits. Plant a bed of it around your flower and vegetable gardens as a natural repellent. Many cultures utilize sage in spiritual cleansing burning or smudging. Sage has many health benefits, but the few I will reveal today have been backed by research.

Sage is loaded with antioxidants which are chemicals that aid the body to strengthen its defenses against damaging free radicals that cause chronic illnesses. Sage has 160 different plant-based polyphenols that are antioxidants. All of the compounds that sage contains, I won’t list them here, have been linked to a reduced risk of cancer as well as improving brain function and memory.

The almighty sage contains antibacterial properties that can assist in eliminating bacteria that cause plaque on your teeth. A sage-based mouthwash effectively destroys the Streptococcus mutant bacterium, known to cause cavities.

The leaves of sage have been used as a diabetic treatment; sage extract was found to lower blood sugar in type 1 diabetes, by activating a particular receptor. When activated this receptor can assist in the removal of excess free fatty acids, which enhances insulin sensitivity. Another study found sage tea worked just like metformin in type 2 diabetes.

As stated above the antioxidants in sage help your brain’s defense system to function better. In healthy people at moderate doses memory was boosted. Higher doses improved mood, and calmness, this effect was found to be true in younger and older adults.

When I first started my Blog, I posted one entitled, “The Sisters Pause”. The Blog was about the stages of menopause and how to deal with them using natural remedies. Any woman who has experienced the hot flashes, sweating, vaginal dryness and irritation, know what I am talking about. The Ancestors used sage to ease those symptoms. If you are currently going through menopause, you may want to start drinking sage tea.

Carnosol, camphor, and rosmarinic acid, are some of the anti-cancer chemicals found in sage. Carnosol can destroy multiple types of cancer without harming healthy cells.

High cholesterol is a prevalent diagnosis in the American population, mainly due to poor diets. The common sage we know, salvia, if taken three times a day for two months appears to lower bad (LDL) cholesterol and increases the good (HDL) cholesterol. This is the sage you will find in your local grocery.

If you have gut issues such as gastric spasms, diarrhea, and gastritis, you may want to drink some sage tea. The Rosmarinic acid in sage acts as an anti-inflammatory for your stomach. It can help get your digestive system back on track by reducing inflammation, so find a way to add sage to your meals.

I hope you were enlightened about the health benefits of sage; most people use it this time of the year to season turkey and dressing. Sage has an herbal flavor that is earthy, slightly peppery taste with hints of mint, eucalyptus, and lemon. If you are cooking with sage use it in heavier dishes, like roast chicken, soups, stews, tomato sauces, and creamy pasta dishes, also add it in the beginning of your dish. You can also boil it for tea and add honey and lemon.

Until next time,

Peace Love and Blessings❤️