Over the centuries, medicinal sage has been used as a natural remedy for the treatment of many diseases and ailments. Grass is used in the treatment of mental disorders, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
Due to its aroma, the plant has found application in cooking - mainly as a seasoning for meat dishes. The properties of the herb are also used in cosmetology; it is often a component of cosmetics for mature skin.
Characteristic
The name of the plant comes from the Latin word salvus, which means "saved, alive." The beneficial properties of the grass were known even to ancient physicians. In Greek mythology, sage was a symbol of health and longevity.
Salvia officinalis, a photo of which is presented in the article, comes from the Mediterranean Sea. Currently grown in many countries, in particular in Russia.
This is a branched shrub reaching a height of 50-70 cm. The whole plant is slightly covered with fluff. The leaves are green-silver, soft to the touch, longitudinally oval or lanceolate, located opposite each other. Two-lipped flowers, blue-violet, collected in 4-8 pieces in peak inflorescences.
The plant gives off a characteristic aroma, reminiscent of the smell of camphor. In herbal medicine use, first of all, a leaf of sage, less often - the root and flowers.
Composition
The leaves of the plant contain the following substances:
- essential oil (which includes camphor, foam, thujone);
- tannins;
- glycosides;
- flavonoids;
- Vitamin A and C;
- B vitamins;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- potassium;
- iron;
- sodium;
- zinc.
Due to the rich composition of the herb, it is used in the manufacture of cosmetics, as a seasoning to improve the taste of dishes, and, above all, in treatment. From the leaves of the plant infusions, tinctures, lotions for rinsing the throat and oral cavity are made, and decoctions are prepared from the roots. The widespread use of medicinal sage in folk and traditional medicine is explained by its antibacterial, analgesic, sedative, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, stimulating digestion and antioxidant effects.
Sage for painful periods, menopause and cessation of lactation
Phytoestrogens contained in grass are valuable plant compounds that act as estrogen hormones. Also, tannins and essential oil in the plant have a diastolic and anti-inflammatory effect. They help regulate heavy menstruation and reduce their ailments.
The beneficial properties of sage can be used during menopause. Grass facilitates hot flashes with menopause, reduces the frequency of night sweats, helps in the fight against insomnia and mood swings.
Sage is recommended for women who have problems with excess milk after stopping breastfeeding. If you drink a glass of warm infusion from the leaves of the plant 2 times a day, then in a week lactation will noticeably decrease. This wonderful herb is also very beneficial for breast inflammation.
Sage improves skin condition
Women should use the beneficial properties of salvia officinalis in everyday skin care. In the leaves of the plant are substances with a proven and beneficial effect on the skin. Essential oil and flavonoids help treat eczema, skin cracks, psoriasis, ringworm and relieve acne symptoms. Sage infusion is used to prepare compresses for difficult to heal wounds, with varicose veins, and also as bath additives for rheumatic and skin diseases.
Minerals in the grass have strong antioxidant properties that reduce the harmful effects of free radicals. Vitamins and phytohormones contribute to the inhibition of skin aging and the formation of wrinkles.
The use of medicinal sage essential oil for massage provides a natural rejuvenating effect and helps to regenerate skin cells faster. Thanks to this, the plant is a valuable component of various cosmetics for mature and problem skin. Herbal extracts are part of face and body gels, creams, lotions and natural deodorants.
Salvia for hair health
Salvia officinalis is a natural cosmetic product that perfectly nourishes and protects the scalp, improves blood circulation and accelerates hair growth. A strong infusion of the leaves of this plant can help in the fight against premature graying, hair loss and dandruff. Herb is often one of the main ingredients of natural hair cosmetics.
Sage in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
A large number of tannins and resins in the plant improves the digestive system. Drinking sage tea after a meal stimulates the secretion of gastric juice and bile, which facilitates digestion and improves the absorption of food. It counteracts excessive fermentation and prevents the formation of intestinal gases, therefore it is recommended for indigestion and flatulence.
Sage fights infections
Sage medicinal plant is a powerful weapon in the fight against infections. It has antiseptic and antifungal effects, inhibits the reproduction of bacteria responsible for the development of many diseases and ailments. An infusion of grass is recommended for inflammatory processes of the oral cavity, sore throat, bleeding gums.
Used for drinking and inhalation, the infusion of sage facilitates the cleansing of the bronchi from the remnants of mucus in them and perfectly relieves sore throats. Tea from the leaves of the plant counteracts diarrhea.
Sage reduces perspiration
Due to the high content of a large amount of tannins, tincture of medicinal sage limits the development of bacteria. The tool is recommended for people with hyperhidrosis, which occurs due to various diseases, for example, thyrotoxicosis or neurosis. Sage infusion is used for excessive night sweats. The tool is effective 2-3 hours after administration and is effective for 3 days.
Sage improves memory
Sage tea facilitates concentration and soothes nerves. Provides the body with record amounts of vitamin B 1 , and one of the symptoms of a deficiency of this compound is short-term memory lapses. The properties of the herb include a calming effect during depression, fatigue and exhaustion.
Sage in cosmetology
Due to its beneficial properties, oil and extracts of sage are widely used in the cosmetics industry. In addition to ready-made cosmetics, you can easily prepare homemade natural cosmetics with the addition of herbs. Here are a few of them:
- Mask for combination skin. Half the apple along with the peel should be grated on a fine grater. Add chopped fresh sage leaves and a few drops of olive oil, mix thoroughly. Apply the paste on the face in places where acne and acne form. After 15 minutes, rinse off the pulp with warm boiled water.
- Mask for irritated skin. It is necessary to prepare a teaspoon of dried medicinal herbs of sage and chamomile. Pour everything in 2-3 tablespoons of boiling water and mix thoroughly. Prepared slurry should be applied to irritated skin. After 15-30 minutes, rinse off with warm water. In this mask, you can add the yolk and a tablespoon of cottage cheese.
- Cleansing mask. Sage and thyme perfectly cleanse the skin and tighten pores. It is necessary to cook gruel from these herbs and a small amount of water and apply to the skin, and after 15 minutes wash off.
- The mask is soothing. Sage itself acts on the skin and the whole body soothingly. In combination with other herbs gives even better results. To soothe the skin, just combine 1 teaspoon of sage, 1 teaspoon of thyme and 1 teaspoon of rosemary. Pour everything in 1-2 tablespoons of hot water and mix thoroughly. Prepared slurry must be applied to the entire face, avoiding the area around the eyes and lips. Leave the mask for 15-20 minutes. After this time, rinse with warm water.
- Sage infusion, smoothing curly hair. A handful of dried herbs should be poured with a glass of boiling water and left for 10-15 minutes. Then the infusion should be filtered and used to rinse the previously washed hair. Hair should be combed with a comb, giving them a smooth shape.
Sage: herbal medicine
- Sage baths. Bath procedures with herbs are very popular because they have a soothing effect on the skin and can be used in case of pain in muscles, bones, joints and neuralgia. Preparation of the bath: 100 g of sage leaves should be poured with a liter of boiling water. Insist 10 minutes, then strain and pour into a bathtub filled to half with water. Or 5-6 tablespoons of sage must be filled with 1 liter of boiling water. Cook under the lid for 15 minutes. Strain and pour the infusion into the bath. It is used for rheumatic ailments and skin diseases, for example, eczema, itching, burns.
- Infusion. 1 tablespoon of sage pour 250 ml of boiling water, cover and leave for 10 minutes. Drink half a glass 3 times a day. This infusion can be used both internally (gastrointestinal disorders, with painful periods, menopause and cessation of lactation) and externally (for compresses on the skin, gargling of a sore throat).
- Tincture. In case of excessive sweating of the feet, it is recommended to rub a little tincture from the plant daily into the skin of the feet. To prepare it, half a glass of sage leaves should be filled with a quarter glass of vodka. After 2 weeks, the liquid should be filtered, poured into a bottle and used as directed.
- Analgesic compress. Few people know that sage is considered an effective remedy for tearing a tendon. The plant quickly soothes pain and accelerates the regeneration of damaged tissues. Used as a compress on a sore spot. Just a couple of minutes is enough to cook it. A tablespoon of sage leaves should be poured with a glass of hot vinegar. Warm (but not hot) liquid must be moistened with gauze and applied to a sore spot until it becomes cool.
Contraindications and side effects
The use of sage should be discarded to persons taking anticoagulants. Active herb compounds disrupt the effects of these drugs. The plant is also not recommended for acute inflammation of the stomach, and for people suffering from epilepsy. Thujone contained in the essential oil of the herb may affect the persistence of seizures in patients. The use of medicines from this plant should be abandoned to lactating women, because sage reduces lactation.
Growing sage in the garden
Planting sage should be carried out in a sunny and sheltered from the wind. The plant is tolerant to soils that are poorly fertile. It is worth remembering that in nature it grows in meadows like an ordinary weed. He likes well-permeable soils mixed with sand or fine gravel. Such soil removes water well, the excess of which sage does not tolerate. The plant feels best on soils with an admixture of calcium.
Growing sage is possible in several ways. Most often, medicinal sage is grown from seeds sown for seedlings in early spring. In warmer regions of the country, it is possible to sow seeds immediately in open ground, however, the plant does not always have time to develop enough to survive the winter without problems.
The second way to grow sage is the division of adult plants. Sage is very well received in a new place, and, as a rule, with an overgrowth of the bush, you can safely divide its root system. The great advantage of growing by division is the fact that sage in this case blooms in the first year after planting. Flowering plants grown from seeds should be expected only in the second year of vegetation.
Since salvia officinalis does not withstand the cold, you should take care of it in the fall. After collecting the leaves, the plant should be covered with manure with straw and branches of spruce. Thanks to this, the bush will be adequately protected from the cold. The shoots are cut only in the spring, when it becomes a little warmer. They are cut at a height of 8-10 cm above the ground. Thanks to pruning, the plant will create much more flowers and leaves, and will also grow much stronger.
As can be seen from the above text, sage has a very versatile therapeutic effect. It is an inexpensive, natural and safe drug that helps in the fight against many ailments.