Essentially, it is a fortunate act of nature that the herbs we commonly use to enhance the flavour of our food, also help with our digestion. The volatile oils, found in this group of herbs (thyme, parsley, rosemary are well-known examples, but the list is a long one) tone the mucous surfaces which line the intestines and increases peristalsis (muscular movement of the gut, which propels food along its length during digestion). Sage specifically is said to stimulate a sluggish stomach and so aids the digestion of a large meal. I have a oldish book (a translation from the French) in which Jean Palaiseul, give us a tip to help with the digestion of those foods we love, but that don't love us. - chew a leaf or two, before you indulge and the taste should not come back to haunt you.
However, like all of these carminative herbs, sage also has other actions which could be helpful medicinally.
Sage's value as a medicinal plant is reflected in its Latin name, (Salvia officinalis) and it shares a common Latin root - salvere meaning to be saved - with the word 'Salvation'. It was highly regarded in ancient and medieval times and was thought to bestow longevity and be good for the brain and memory.. In Mrs Grieve's Modern Herbal (1931)she says that Sage tea was greatly valued by the Chinese, even above their own tea - the tea we all drink now - as a stimulant tonic for debility of the nervous system and digestion. Sage is still used by herbalists to improve concentration and memory and this ancient attribute of sage has been reinforced by some recent research which has suggested that it could indeed be useful for enhancing cognition and mood (cited in Kuhn and Winston, 2008).
Its bactericidal, anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory properties have made it a good old fashioned remedy for a bacterial sore throat and mouth ulcers (make a tea with about half a teaspoon of dried herb to a cup of boiling water , cover the cup and infuse for about 15 minutes - when cooled, drink half a cup, three times a day, or use it as a gargle or mouth wash). In the days when you couldn't pop out to the chemists for some throat sweets, it's my bet that this was used in many a home as a domestic remedy to ease a painful throat. It might also be useful in some non-complicated sinusitis, as it is thought that it decreases excessive mucous secretion in the sinuses and upper respiratory tract.
Sage is often used by medical herbalists to help reduce excessive sweating caused by menopausal hot flushing. It may work as a simple tea, or as the dried herb in tablet form and is often included by herbalists in preparations alongside other herbs, with the aim of helping to manage a range of menopausal symptoms. Ruth Trickey in Women Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle, suggests a simple home preparation using sage for menopausal sweats - take six fresh sage leave, chop them, soak them overnight in lemon juice in the morning strain and drink the juice - she says that you may need to take this for 7-10 days before you see some improvement. However, she recommends that this should not be taken for more than two weeks without a break.
It is generally not advisable to take sage for a long period for any condition, and not in pregnancy or when lactating (it may dry up breast milk) - also it may decrease blood glucose levels, so you should not take it if you are on diabetic medication. As always, the same rules apply:-
This information is meant for educational purposes only and not intended as a guide to self-treatment. You should always seek professional advice. Remember that herbs can interact with other drugs and may be contra-indicated if you have certain medical conditions, are pregnant or lactating. Take care when using wild plants or any herbs, that you have the correct species from a reliable source.
Sources
Bartram, T.(1995) Encyclopeadia of Herbal Medicine, Grace Publishers, Dorset.
Mrs Grieve (1931) A Modern Herbal (available on line at www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.htm )
Kuhn, M. A. and Winston, D. (2008) Herbal therapy and supplements, Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincot, Williams and Wilkins, Philedelphia.
Palaiseul, J. (1977) The Green Guide to Health From Plants, Book Club Associates, London.
Trickey, R. (2003) Women, Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle, Allen & Unwin, NSW.