About sage tea
Sage tea is a drink made by infusing hot water with the dried or fresh leaves of sage, a popular aromatic herb also known as garden sage.
Salvia is a medicinal plant native to the Mediterranean area with over 900 species worldwide. It belongs to the same family as oregano, lavender, rosemary, thyme and basil. The sage plant has edible gray-green leaves and flowers that can range in color from blue and purple to white or pink, giving off a slightly bitter, aromatic fragrance. Sage leaves contain about 2% essential oil. Sage leaves can also be used in the kitchen for cooking.
Sage has a long history of medicinal use for conditions ranging from mental disorders to gastrointestinal discomfort, and research has demonstrated some of its medical applications.
The name of this plant derives from the Latin word “salvare” (to heal, to heal).
The properties of sage tea
Sage tea contains a variety of powerful plant compounds, with its antioxidants working to neutralize harmful compounds called free radicals. When they accumulate in the body, they can lead to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.
Sage tea is particularly rich in rosmarinic acid, salviatannin and phenolic acids. Laboratory studies have shown that rosmarinic acid has numerous health benefits, such as lowering inflammation and blood sugar levels. While inflammation is a natural response of the body, chronic inflammation can increase the risk of disease.
Sage provides a relatively high amount of vitamin K, which is essential for bone health, circulation and proper blood clotting.
Additionally, sage tea contains several other health-promoting compounds, including carnosol and camphor. In a study on mice, sage extract significantly increased the levels of anti-inflammatory compounds circulating in the blood while decreasing the levels of inflammatory compounds. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of sage tea may be responsible for many of its potential benefits.
The benefits of consuming sage tea
It keeps the skin healthy and helps heal wounds
Sage is a common ingredient in cosmetic products that are applied topically as a natural skin care remedy. Drinking sage tea may provide some of the same benefits, such as:
- helps the healthy growth of skin cells, slows down the signs of aging and reduces the formation of wrinkles;
- helps treat sun damage and other inflammatory skin problems;
- helps heal cold sores and speeds up wound healing.
Promotes oral health
Sage is one of the most popular herbs in dentistry because it reduces toothache, inflammation and bad breath. It also has antibacterial and wound healing properties. Because of this, gargling with sage tea is often recommended as a remedy for mouth sores and sore throats. Concentrated infusion of sage is also used in gingivitis and dental abscesses.
Relieves cold or flu
Sage tea is often used to treat sore throats and other respiratory problems. The tea’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation in the throat, while its astringent properties can help reduce mucus production, reduce coughing, and dry up runny noses. The tea is also believed to have antimicrobial properties, which can help fight bacterial and viral infections.
Potential anticancer properties
There is some evidence that sage tea may help destroy cancer cells. In a study of more than 500 people, consumption of sage and chamomile teas were associated with a reduced risk of thyroid cancer. Meanwhile, in a laboratory study, sage tea helped prevent genetic changes that lead to colon cancer. Although these results are promising, more testing is needed.
Improves blood sugar control
Sage is a common ingredient in alternative blood sugar control medications that can help improve blood sugar levels and prevent or treat type 2 diabetes.
It can promote brain health and improve mood
Sage is widely used in alternative medicine to boost mood, improve memory, and help prevent brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Scientific research supports many of these uses.
It can support women’s health
Sage may also offer some unique benefits for women. In the Middle East, pregnant women commonly use sage to treat digestive symptoms such as nausea, a common problem in early pregnancy. Sage is sometimes used to treat nausea in pregnant women and to reduce the production of breast milk in women who stop breastfeeding or who are heavily lactating, but there is no conclusive scientific research on this. Sage tea can also reduce hot flashes in menopausal women.
Positive effects on heart health
Some research indicates that sage may help improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels, potentially lowering the risk of heart disease.
Use of sage tea
To prepare sage tea at home, boil 1 cup of water and pour over 1 tablespoon of sage leaves. Leave the leaves to infuse until the desired strength is reached (approximately 5-8 minutes), then strain. You can drink 2-3 cups a day. Sage tea can also be prepared using ground sage, but extra care is required when straining. Once the infusion has cooled enough to be safe to consume, it can be drunk. Sugar or honey, lemon juice or lemon peel, cinnamon can be added to sage tea. Sage tea is also available in tea bags.
Contraindications for drinking sage tea
Natural sage is safe for most people and does not cause any known side effects, but it should be noted that there is a risk of sage allergy. The effectiveness and side effects of sage supplements will vary by brand and manufacturing process.
Sage essential oil and sage tea should not be used internally during pregnancy as it may cause uterine contractions.
Also, after long-term use of alcoholic extracts or those prepared from essential oil, convulsions similar to those of epilepsy may occur.
In any case, considering the overall dietary pattern, rather than focusing on individual foods (plants), is vital in preventing disease and maintaining health.
Bibliography:
- Ware, Megan. “Everything You Need to Know about Sage.” Medicalnewstoday.com, Medical News Today, 10 Jan. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com
- WebMD Editorial Contributors. “Sage Tea: Health Benefits, Nutrition, and Uses.” WebMD, WebMD, 23 Jan. 2020, www.webmd.com
- Shoemaker, SaVanna. “9 Emerging Benefits and Uses of Sage Tea.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 19 Nov. 2019, www.healthline.com
