What Is The Sage Herb and What Does It Do?
We love Sage here at Laterra Gems, but what is it exactly? Sage herb is a type of flowering plant and one of the oldest and most popular herbs. It has been used for cooking, medical purposes, and as an ornamental plant. The original medicinal use was as an appetite suppressant, but it soon spread to many more uses.
Sage Uses
More recently, sage has exploded onto the scene as a nootropic (cognitive enhancer) due to its ability to improve memory recall and learning speed. It does this by increasing blood flow to the brain which increases oxygenation and nutrient delivery and helps clear out toxins via increased lymphatic circulation. It also provides potent antioxidants, anti-inflammatory support via its eugenol content, and acts as an MAO inhibitor (the MAO enzyme breaks down monoamines in the body which includes some neurotransmitters).
Sage Benefits
There are many benefits to taking Sage. Here is a list of the common benefits:
- Increases memory recall
- Increases learning speed
- Increases blood flow to the brain for increased oxygenation/nutrient delivery
- Helps clear toxins from the bloodstream by increasing lymphatic circulation
- Provides more energy & stamina through increased oxygenation of cells
- Maintains the health of neurons and nerve fibers
- Provides anti-inflammatory support via eugenol content
- Helps inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO) which helps increase neurotransmitter levels in the brain such as serotonin.
Side Effects of Sage
Since this herb has been used for thousands of years, there are no known side effects. However, it is important to please be aware that sage contains some potent compounds that can affect how other medications work through the inhibition of certain enzymes. If you are taking any prescription medications or have any pre-existing conditions then you should talk with your doctor before adding this to your regimen. This is especially true if you are currently taking anticoagulants (blood thinners).
Sage Supplements
There are many supplements of this herb on the market today so you can choose one that fits your needs. I recommend looking for an organic supplement with no unnecessary additives or preservatives. You will find this product in sublingual tinctures, capsules, or loose-leaf tea forms. Capsules are convenient but they do not provide you with the full benefits of the plant because most of its volatile oils are lost during processing (if using dried leaves). Although consuming dry sage has very little taste, taking it as a sublingual tincture provides rapid effects within 5-10 minutes.
Spiritual Uses of Sage
Sage is a very spiritually powerful plant and has been used for centuries in ceremonies and rituals. The Native Americans believe that burning sage purifies and blesses the space and brings good health and prosperity to those that live there; they also use it to cleanse spaces, objects, and people of negative energies. In the Buddhist tradition, it is used to cleanse a space before meditation. In Hindu ceremonies, it is also burned for cleansing and purification.