Sage

Sage

• Sage consists of multiple plants part of the Salvia genus comprised have many different species. The two most common species that have been used as medicine are Salvia officinalis and Salvia lavandulifolia (Spanish sage). The leaf and oil contain compounds that are thought to have antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant effects as well as others in in vitro and animal studies.

Dosage:

• Sage extract has been studied from 280 to 1500 mg daily for up to 12 weeks [14]. Spanish sage essential oil has been studied at a single dose of 25-50 µL. Sage can be found in creams and ointments that can be used topically.

• The main uses studied include: Cognition/memory: An RCT study that was published in 2021 looking at improvement in cognition used a compound called Cognivia, which combined sage polyphenols and Spanish sage terpenoids.

• The treatment group, compared to placebo, received a single dose of 600 mg of Cognivia. Memory was assessed within 2-4 h after the single dose and after 29 days. It showed there was improvement in memory after 29 days. Essential oils of sage may improve memory, but aromatherapy has not shown the same effect.

• Hyperlipidemia (HLD): An RCT (published 2011) 500 mg of sage three times a day for 2 months can improve LDL and triglyceride levels while increasing HDL levels.

• However, the study did not look at long-term morbidity or mortality improvement in patients with HLD.

• Menopausal symptoms: Sage seems to improve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and irritability; however, it does not seem to improve vaginal dryness and sexual desires. Doses range from 280 mg daily for 4 weeks to 300 mg daily for 3 months.

Safety:

• Sage is generally safe, however a few components of sage including thujone, camphor and cineol components can be toxic in large amounts [14].

Medication Interaction:

• Sage may interact with anticholinergics, antihypertensives, antidiabetics. anticonvulsants, cholinergic medications, medications that interfere with the CYP450 system substrates, and estrogens [14]. Please be mindful when start-ing your patient on doses of Sage listed above..