The aromatic smell of sage in the kitchen always reminds me of Thanksgiving. The sage in the stuffing and even ground sage in the gravy. Turns out it was good timing for the increasing cold weather. An essential oil well documented for its anti-microbial properties, Recently the link between Sage and mental health has been getting some modern scientific support. Researchers have shown that the essential oil of common sage may improve mood and mental performance in young adults and boost memory and attention span in older adults.
Sage Advice
for Flu Season
One small study showed that an extract of sage was helpful to people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Modern herbal practitioners typically recommend Sage for treating coughs, colds, and bronchitis, for easing sore throat pain and tonsillitis, calming indigestion, and relieving excessive sweating, including night sweats associated with menopause. The chemical compounds in sage work to reduce sweating, along with antiseptic, detoxifying properties, to strengthen the kidneys and expel water from the system. It can help reduce secretions such as sweat, watery eyes, and runny nose. Making it a general ‘dehydrator’ of sorts. If you’re feeling wet, try some sage tea. Whether you feel wet in the lungs or the head, sip some sage. Noting that sage means, “to save” in Latin, one reference calls it a panacea herb, purporting it useful for health purposes including: • Sleeping Aid • Sore Throat Gargles • Breath Cleansing • Breaking Fevers • Mildly Diuretic • Easing Sprains • Softening Rough Skin • Stopping Flow When Weaning • Cleansing the Smells of a Sickroom • Helps Heal (Diabetic) Leg Ulcers • General Antiseptic • Depression Lifter • Stomach Settler • Anti Flu Properties • Organ Detoxifier • Bug Bites & Stings
Did you Know? SAGE is an important and economical medicine chest (or first aid kit) item to have in high incidence spider, scorpion and jellyfish areas. To calm these painful interactions quickly, chew and wet a wad of leaves with your saliva, then press directly onto the bite or sting irritation. 14 || SIMPLY 14 SIMPLY SENIORS SENIORS — — WINTER WINTER2021 2021
An excellent gargle to avoid a cold is made pretty simply by combining one cup of sage tea (recipe below) with two teaspoons honey, two tablespoons each of salt and apple cider vinegar with one tablespoon of cayenne pepper. That will fire up your metabolic rate! As for insect pests, many don’t particularly like the smell of sage. This may be a very practical varmint-ridding side benefit of the indigenous practice of sage (or cedar) smudging, a way of cleansing the spirit and the body when entering the lodge. Disinfect and deodorize for close quarters. Harkening back to our last spicy spotlight,
