Sage, a common kitchen spice, is valued for the hearty, tangy flavor it imparts to soups and meats. But this versatile herb's usefulness extends beyond its use in the kitchen. A natural antibacterial agent, sage is often recommended by herbalists to treat minor wounds and inflammation. Although clinical research is lacking, laboratory studies support the therapeutic effects of assorted constituents in sage. Whether your foot pain arises from a strain, sprain, cut, or soreness due to fatigue, sage may help ease the discomfort. Consult your doctor before using sage.
Features
Sage -- botanically known as Salvia officinalis -- is a perennial evergreen garden herb
native to the Mediterranean area but presently cultivated virtually worldwide. The plant features aromatic grayish-green leaves on tough, woody stems, with delicate blue or lavender flowers that bloom from early summer to fall. The belief in sage's cleansing and detoxifying powers is rooted in antiquity; Egyptians used sage to treat the plague, while Native Americans burned it during cleansing rituals. Modern-day herbalists advise sage as a tonic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic; it is often used topically in poultices to soothe wounds and help ward off infection. Sage has also been employed as a folk remedy for excessive sweating, and is used cosmetically in perfumes and skin products.
Constituents and Effects
Sage contains triterpenoids, saponins -- or natural soap-like substances -- and tannins, which are responsible for its astringent quality. The compounds thujone, carnosol, salvigenin, lupeol, stigmasterol and camphor are also present, along with rosmarinic acid, a polyphenolic antioxidant also found in rosemary. Sage also contains antioxidant vitamin C. Drugs.com -- which provides peer-reviewed medical information to consumers -- attributes anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to sage. Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health notes the traditional use of sage for sprains and swellings, and concurs that sage has shown antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effects in test tubes.
Research
Scientific research supports sage's beneficial effects. In an animal study published in 2001 in "Journal of Ethnopharmacology," researchers found that the ursolic acid in sage had an anti-inflammatory effect twice as powerful as that of indomethacin, a conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. In a laboratory study published in 2004 in "Biofactors," researchers found that rosmarinic acid reduced levels of cyclooxygenase-2, a pro-inflammatory agent, while displaying antioxidant effects by scavenging reactive oxygen radicals.
Usage and Considerations
To make a soothing sage infusion, pour 16 oz of boiling water over 2 to 3 tsp. of dried or fresh sage leaves, cover and steep for 15 minutes. Allow to cool, then strain. To make a compress, soak a clean cotton cloth in the infusion and apply to affected area; the liquid can also be used as an antiseptic rinse for minor cuts and abrasions. BSCAH notes that you can also avail yourself of sage's benefits by drinking the infusion as a tea, but cautions not to use sage internally during pregnancy, or for more than a week at a time. Herb Companion advises using sage to help prevent athlete's foot, a common fungal infection that can cause itching and burning. Mix 1 cup of dried sage leaves with 1 tsp. of whole cloves and grind it to a powder in a blender. Sprinkle the mixture onto feet and into socks daily.
References
- Drugs.com: Complete Sage Information
- AltMD; Sage: Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine; Staff; 2011
- Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health: Sage
- Herb Companion; Herb Basics: Fighting Athlete's Foot: Sage and Clove Foot Powder; Herb Companion Staff; May/June 2004
- "Biofactors"; Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergenic Effect of Rosmarinic Acid (RA); Inhibition of Seasonal Rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR) and its Mechanism; N. Osakabe, et al.; 2004
- "Journal of Ethnopharmaclogy"; Topical Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Salvia Officinalis L. Leaves: The Relevance of Ursolic Acid; D. Barisevic, et al.; 2001
