The Latin name of the common herb sage is salvia, meaning "to cure." True to its name, sage is considered an alternative form of treatment for a variety of illnesses and conditions, ranging from infertility to inflammation and a faulty memory. The herb can also be used in several forms to minimize excessive sweating. Consult your doctor before taking sage or any other herbal supplement.
Topical Treatment
Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which you experience excessive sweating, most often under the arms and on your hands and feet. The November/December 2005 issue of SweatSolutions, the newsletter of the International Hyperhidrosis Society, reports that sage can be used as a topical treatment for excessive sweating. Researchers at Iran's Isfahan University of Medical Sciences found that participants who applied a sage-based tea to their skin three times daily for six weeks reduced their sweating by 37 percent. The concentrated sage tea is made by putting 2 tsp. of dried sage in 8.5 oz. of water.
Oral Treatment
Drinking sage tea or taking supplements of the dried herb in tablet form may also reduce sweating from hyperhidrosis or from hot flashes associated with menopause, as reported in the May-June 2002 issue of the "European Journal of Dermatology." More than 1 liter of sage tea must be consumed to achieve significant results. The usual adult dosage for dried sage as an herbal remedy ranges between 400 mg and 600 mg, according to Drugs.com.
Side Effects
Sage is generally well tolerated, and is a common food seasoning. However, high doses of the herb may cause vomiting, a rapid heart rate, and skin irritation if applied topically. Seizures and kidney damage can occur in rare cases of overdose, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Considerations
Although sage may help reduce your excessive sweating, there are other treatments options if you are not seeing desired results. Oral medications, prescription deodorants and iontophoresis -- a therapy that delivers a mild electrical current to your body -- are also treatments to discuss with your doctor.
