Red Sage
Salvia officinalis var. rubia
Labiateae
Names: Garden Sage, Red Sage, Purpletop Sage
Habitat: Native to Mediterranean region, cultivated worldwide.
Collection: The leaves should be gathered shortly before or just at the beginning
of flowering in dry sunny weather in May or June. Dry in the shade or not above 35 degrees C.
Part Used: Leaves.
Constituents:
- Volatile oil, containing [[alpha]] and[[beta]]-thujone
as the major components, with cineole, borneol, camphor,
2-methyl-3-methylene-5-heptene and others
- Diterpene bitters; picrosalvin (= carnosol), carnosolic
acid and others
- Flavonoids; salvigenin, genkwanin, 6-methoxygendwanin,
hispidulin, luteolina
- Phenolic acids; rosmarinic, caffeic, labiatic etc.
- Salviatannin, a condensed catechin.
Actions: Carminative, anti-spasmodic, anti-microbial, astringent, anti-inflammatory.
 Indications:
Red Sage is the classic remedy for inflammations of the mouth, throat and
tonsils, its volatile oils soothing the mucous membranes. It may be used
internally and as a mouth wash for inflamed and bleeding gums (gingivitis),
inflamed tongue (glossitis) or generalized mouth inflammation (stomatitis).
It is an excellent remedy in mouth ulcers (apthae). As a gargle it will
aid in the treatment of laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis
and quinsy. It is a valuable carminative used in dyspepsia. It
reduces sweating when taken internally and may be used to reduce the production
of breast milk. As a compress it promotes the healing of wounds. Red Sage
stimulates the muscles of the uterus and so should be avoided during pregnancy.
Priest & Priest tell us that it is a "carminative, stimulating astringent -
especially suitable for weak, pale, atonic patients. Cold preparations check excessive perspiration
from circulatory debility." They give the following specific indications: gastric debility
and flatulence, night sweats, sore ulcerated throat.
CAUTION: Avoid during pregnancy.
Combinations: As a gargle for throat conditions it combines well with Tormentil and
Balm of Gilead. In dyspepsia it can be combined with Meadowsweet and Chamomile.
Preparation and dosage:
Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of
the leaves and let infuse for l0 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Mouthwash: put 2 teaspoonfuls of the leaves in half a litre ( one pint) of water, bring to
the boil and let stand, covered, for 15 minutes. Gargle deeply with the hot tea for 5-l0 minutes
several times a day. Tincture: take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.
Remedies for: Carminative, anti-spasmodic, anti-microbial, astringent, anti-inflammatory, sudorific,
expectorant, tonic, aromatic, nervine, vermifuge, emmenagogue, diuretic, stimulant, diaphoretic,
stomachic, antiseptic.
Red Sage is the classic remedy for inflammations of the mouth, throat and tonsils, its
volatile oils soothing the mucous membranes. Used as a mouth wash for inflamed and bleeding
gums (gingivitis), inflamed tongue (glossitis) or generalized mouth inflammation (stomatitis).
An excellent remedy in mouth ulcers (apthae). As a gargle it will aid in the treatment of
laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and quinsy. A valuable carminative used in dyspepsia.
It reduces sweating when taken internally and may be used to reduce the production of breast
milk. As a compress it promotes the healing of wounds. Red Sage stimulates the muscles of the
uterus and so should be avoided during pregnancy. Jethro Kloss calls sage an almost "cure-all
- you could never go amiss if you take sage."
Combinations: As a gargle for throat conditions it combines well with Tormentil and Balm of
Gilead. In dyspepsia it can be combined with Meadowsweet and Chamomile.
Dosage:
Infusion: Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the leaves and let infuse for
10 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Mouthwash: put 2 teaspoonfuls of the leaves
in half a liter (one pint) of water, bring to the boil and let stand, covered, for 15 minutes.
Gargle deeply with the hot tea for 5-10 minutes several times a day.
Tincture: take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.
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