Sage, scientific name Salvia officinalis, is a plant grown throughout southern Europe, Asia Minor and the United States. With a long history of medicinal use recorded back to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, sage finds its way into aromatherapy oils, teas and topical application. Clinical trials on the benefits of sage to treat menopause are few and the exact effects undetermined. Do not take sage as a menopausal treatment without first discussing its use with your medical practitioner.
Methods
Sage is taken in an infusion as a tea when mixed with boiling water and can be used as a gargle or rinse as well. Oils can also be applied to the skin or inhaled but should not be taken internally, since the oils can cause nerve damage, the University of Texas at El Paso warns.
Possible Actions
Sage contains estrogen-like compounds, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Sage and clary-sage, a type of sage, oils are used in aromatherapy, either inhaled or applied to the skin, depending on the substance. Herbalists claim that sage acts as an anti-hydrotic, meaning that it decreases sweating. An unpublished preliminary German study reported a decrease in sweating by as much as 50 percent, the Herb Wisdom website reported. Night sweats and hot flashes, two distressing symptoms of menopause, can cause excessive sweating, and sage could benefit women suffering from both.
Studies
Clinical studies on the specific benefits of sage are lacking. One study conducted by researchers from the Italian Università degli Studi-Siena, reported in the May 1998 issue of "Minerva Gynecologica," studied the effects of a drug made from sage and alfalfa on hot flushes in 30 women. Of the 30, 20 experienced complete remission of hot flushes and sweating, while six showed good improvement and four reported some improvement in symptoms. Blood levels of female hormones such as estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were unchanged, however. A Chinese study reported in the August 2003 issue of "Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine" using Dandi medicine, a mixture of herbs including sage, reported an increase in estrogen levels over a three-month period.
Risks
Large doses of sage could cause seizure activity, rapid heartbeat or a decrease in blood sugar levels. Pregnant women should not take sage, which could cause uterine contractions, so if you're in perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause, and could still possible become pregnant, do not take sage. Sage could also lower blood sugar levels; if you have diabetes, this could cause hypoglycemia, a potentially serious drop in blood sugar. Do not take sage if you have diabetes without your medical practitioner's approval.
References
- "Minerva Gynecologica"; Treatment of Neurovegetative Menopausal Symptoms With a Phytotherapeutic Agent; V. De Leo, et al.; May 1998
- "Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine"; Effect of Dandi Tablet on Blood Lipids and Sex Hormones in Women of Postmenopausal Stage; R. Liang, et al.; August 2003
- University of Purdue; Sage; December 1997
- Herb Wisdom: Sage
- Herbal Safety: University of Texas El Paso: Sage
