A Physician's review · Botanical Brilliance · Botanicals · Haircare · Hairloss · Ingredient Spotlight ·Jan 20, 2024

Botanical Brilliance: A Physician's review of Sage

SAGE // Salvia officinalis

Genus: Salvia / Latin: Salvare = To Heal / 900 shrub like species belonging to mint family

Historical Use

Mediterranean: Women's health, diuretic and wound healing
Middle Ages Sage Tea: For Angina, circulation, nervous system, respiratory, digestive and metabolic.
Sage Oils for antispasmodic, antiseptic and astringent

Present Day Use

1 Tablespoon has 43 percent of daily recommended vitamin K
Excellent source of fiber, vitamin A, folate, calcium, iron, B vitamins, vitamin C, thiamine and vitamin E
Recent studies show promise in helping with dementia, menopause, wound healing, and oral health

Interesting Facts

Was used for medicinal purposes before culinary

Sage is a member of the Genus Salvia deriving from the latin, Salvare, which means to heal. There are over 900 shrubs in the Salvia Genus, all belonging to the mint family. The various shrubs have unique tastes, aromas and medicinal properties.

Prior to its use as a culinary item, Sage was used for its medicinal properties. Records show the use of sage for medicinal uses dated back to 1500 BC where it was used as a remedy for itching.

In 500 BC followers of Hippocrates commented on its ability to coagulate blood and effects on menstruation.

In the Middle ages Sage Tea was used for nervous system, digestive, respiratory and metabolic ailments. Further, it was used to treat circulatory disorders such as angina. Its effects were so popular that significant trade developed around the Sage Tea. This ultimately led to the dissemination of the tea and its benefits to Chinese culture where it was later used as an antispasmodic and anti septic.

Present day there have been a plethora of studies performed on its benefits. One tablespoon of sage has been noted to have 43% of the daily recommended vitamin K needs. Further, it has been shown to provide substantial amounts of Vitamin A, Calcium, Folate, Iron, B bitamins, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Recent studies suggest possible implications in dementia, menopause, wound healing, oral health, skin and hair health among other benefits.

There are many phytonutrients within sage that are currently being studied. Amongst these are Camphor, Alpha/Beta Thujone, Linalool and Ursolic Acid.
Camphor has been found to have a number of benefits relating to the scalp. It has been demonstrated to improve scalp circulation and thus health. It has also been shown to prevent dandruff and scalp itchiness. Lastly, studies have demonstrated that it smooths the hair shaft and decreases frizz.

Thujones have been studied for their effects in wound healing for some time. Recent studies have demonstrated their benefit in hair growth. It has been shown that Thujone is able to improve hair health by serving as an antioxidant and inducing hair follicles to enter the anagen (growth) phase.

Linalool has demonstrated effects in sedation and muscle relaxation. Its use in modern care has demonstrated efficacy in insomnia, anti anxiety and antidepressant. As it relates to the hair, it has been shown to stimulate the scalp and improve circulation.

Lastly, there have been many exciting studies around ursolic acid. Demonstrations of its efficacy as an anti cancer agent have been shown in the spread of melanoma.
Further, it have been shown to modulate 5-alpha reductase (an enzyme implicated in hair loss) and is the primary target for the use of finasteride in hair loss.

Phytonutrients:

Camphor

Smooths hair shaft and decreases frizz
Prevents itchiness
Prevents dandruff
Antibacterial properties
Improves circulation in the scalp

1,8-Cineol

Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Antimicrobial
Clinically used in rhinosinusitis, COPD, asthma and bronchitis
Modulator of signaling pathways

Borneol

Permeation enhancer
Analgesic
Anti carcinogenic effects

Alpha/Beta Thujone

Skin regeneration and wound healing
Promotes hair growth by inducing anagen phase

Linalool

Natural sedative
Muscle relaxer
Sleep enhancer
Anti anxiety and depression
Stimulates scalp and produces improved circulation

Ursolic Acid

Found to have anticancer effects
Found to possibly suppress metastasis to lung for metastatic melanoma
Anti-Oxidant
Modulates 5-alpha reductase activity for hair growth

Rosmarinic Acid

Effective in Alzheimers
Neuroprotective
Anti-apoptotic
Antioxidant

Ethanolic Acid

Effective in mild to moderate Alzheimers disease

Sage can be found in our NATURALE Shampoo & Conditioner for Thinning Hair.

Sage can also be found in our NATURALE Hair & Scalp Tonic.

If all these benefits have you wanting to incorporate more sage in your life, take a look at the recipe below.

Sage Cocktail Recipe:

Sage infused Syrup:

Add one cup water to one cup sugar to a sauce pan-> Cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved -> turn off heat and add 10 sage leaves -> allow to steep for 10 minutes -> Remove sage.

Cocktail:

Get rocks glass fill with ice -> add 1-2 oz bourbon + sage syrup + 2 splashes of lime juice

Cheers!

Sources:

Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M. Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2003 Feb;28(1):53-9. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2710.2003.00463.x. PMID: 12605619.

Hamidpour M, Hamidpour R, Hamidpour S, Shahlari M. Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Property of Sage (Salvia) to Prevent and Cure Illnesses such as Obesity, Diabetes, Depression, Dementia, Lupus, Autism, Heart Disease, and Cancer. J Tradit Complement Med. 2014 Apr;4(2):82-8. doi: 10.4103/2225-4110.130373. PMID: 24860730; PMCID: PMC4003706.