Of all the culinary herbs, sage possesses the most medicinal uses. Sage is anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. It helps cleanse your blood, boost brain function and may even prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Sage contains volatile oils, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Phenolic acids fight against oxidative damage and diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancers.
The leaves and stems of sage contain these antioxidant enzymes that help deal with ailments such as arthritis and asthma.
Sage can also provide your body with rosmarinic acid, a polyphenolic compound with unbelievable health benefits.
Sage for Memory and Alzheimer’s
The compounds in sage such as caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, sagerinic acid, luteolin, apigenin, quercetin, camphor, 1,8-cineole, carnosic acid, ursolic acid, carnosol contribute to its antioxidant, antidepressant and neurotrophic properties.
Rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid can affect biological functions related to cognition. Researches discovered that the potent combination of these phenolic acids can protect the brain from stress-induced damage and fight inflammation, thus helping prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s .
A 2017 review published in the journal Drugs noted sage’s potential to “enhance cognitive activity and protect against neurodegenerative disease,” including Alzheimer’s and dementia. Researchers also found that sage can help boost memory in young and healthy adults.
Sage helps with anxiety and increases mood
Sage can also boost your mental well-being. When subjects took either sage leaf extract or a placebo sugar pill, a significant difference was established between the two groups when taking a stress-stimulation test.
After taking a 600 milligram dose the participants’ alertness and calmness improved and the levels of anxiety decreased.
How to Take Sage
You can make sage tea by steeping 1 to 3 g of dried sage (find it here) in 1 cup of boiling water, and adults can consume up to 3 cups each day, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
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