Sage is considered as one of the oldest foods and medicinal herbs in use. There are different names for sage. It is also known as garden sage, common sage, Dalmatian sage and true sage. The plant is known to save lives with its medicinal benefits.
Sage has been in use since the Greek and Roman times, making it one of the oldest herbs in use, and up until this day it is widely used and a lot more uses have been discovered, especially in its oil form. The Greeks and Romans considered the herb sacred, and one of its early uses was as a preservative to meat and other recipes to keep them from spoiling.
Sage Essential Oil has plenty of medicinal, culinary and other benefits. The oil has a pale yellow green color with an aroma similar to camphor. The plant part that is used to extract the oil from is the leaves, particularly those flowering ones.
Sage can be used in two forms: in leaf form and in oil form. Sage Essential Oil, so named from “salvere’, meaning ‘to save’, attributes its healing properties to its various components including alpha thujene, aesculetinen, alpha thujone, alpha terpenines, alpha terpineol, alpha thujone, cmphor, terpinolene, salviol, thujanol, terpinenol, linalool, alpha humulene, alpha maaliene, alpha pinene, beta copaene, limonene, paracymene, myrcene, para cymenol, delta cardinenes, ocimenes, camphene, octenol, aromadendrene, caryophyllene oxide, beta pinene, borneol, beta thujone and cineole. All of these components band together and contribute to Sage Essential Oil’s life-saving benefits.
Sage Essential Oil Benefits
Being the life-saving herb as it is named; Sage Essential Oil will give its users the most benefits they can get from it.
- Aids in digestion. Good digestion is reflected in the body’s overall health. The stomach processes the food being taken, and of the digestive system is poor, it is easily seen on other health aspects.
- Slows down aging. Sage Essential Oil is beneficial to those who are showing signs of ageing more rapidly than they should. It revitalizes the skin.
- Reduces inflammation. Fever can cause swelling, and taking Sage Essential Oil can reduce this occurrence greatly.
- Relieves skin diseases. Skin diseases and dysentery are relieved by using moderate amounts of Sage Essential Oil.
- Removes scars. Scars fade with regular use of Sage Essential Oil.
- Promotes faster healing of wounds. Incisions and wounds heal faster with the help of Sage Essential Oil.
- Promotes regular periods. It is very helpful in women who have irregular periods.
- Protects against infections. Sage Essential Oil’s antibacterial property is the body’s shield against infections.
Sage Essential Oil Uses
- Sage Essential Oil as Leg Remedy. People who suffer from congested legs or those who stand for long hours each day can apply Sage Essential Oil diluted in carrier oil on the legs and relief will be felt.
- Sage Essential Oil as Beauty Tool. Sage Essential Oil is an ingredient in many perfumes for its fragrant smell. It can also be used on the hair. It is also popularly used as a skin moisturizer.
- Sage Essential Oil as Food Flavoring. Sage leaves can be eaten raw, and can be one of the ingredients in salads. Sage Essential Oil can also add flavor to pork dishes.
- Sage Essential Oil as Laxative. It prevents constipation by promoting better bowel movement.
- Sage Essential Oil as Stimulant. It helps relieve depression and mental fatigue by evoking positive emotions.
- Sage Essential Oil as Febrifuge. It reduces body temperature caused by fever as well as inflammation associated with it.
- Sage Essential Oil as Expectorant. Coughs and colds are given relief by Sage Essential Oil. Congestion from colds is rid of.
- Sage Essential Oil as Emenagogue. It promotes regular menstrual cycles and relives period symptoms as well.
- Sage Essential Oil as Disinfectant. Sage Essential Oil has antifungal, antiseptic and antibacterial properties that make it an effective aid in preventing infections in and out of the body.
- Sage Essential Oil as Antioxidant. It is responsible for keeping the skin young, healthy and glowing. It flushes out the toxins from the body, allowing it to exhibit a healthy condition.
- Sage Essential Oil as Antispasmodic. It treats conditions that are caused by spasms, such as stomachaches, cramps and convulsions.
- Sage Essential Oil as Depurative. Purifying the blood through excretion from sweat is one of Sage Essential Oil’s functions.
- Sage Essential Oil as Cicatrisant. Sage Essential Oil eliminates skin marks such as scars, stretchmarks and others.
- Sage Essential Oil as Antiseptic. Wounds are healed more quickly with the help of Sage Essential Oil being applied on the wounds themselves. It also shields them from infection.
Sage Essential Oil Side Effects
Sage Essential Oil’s thujone content makes it incompatible for use by children and those with sensitive skin and health. There have been researches and studies that found thujone to be hallucinogenic and can cause convulsions. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should never use Sage Essential Oil because of its camphor and camphene components. Being a stimulant, people suffering from hysteria or epilepsy should avoid using this oil altogether as it may trigger these conditions.
How to Use Sage Essential Oil
Sage Essential Oil, like any other essential oils, should not be used unadulterated, that is, it should not be used without diluting in carrier oil. Undiluted Sage Essential Oil can be irritating to the skin and mucus membranes. Up to 8 drops of Sage Essential Oil can be added to other carrier oil if used as a ore-shampoo conditioner. 3 drops of Sage Essential Oil to 2 teaspoons of grapeseed oil can be massaged on the stomach to relieve menstrual symptoms.
How to Make Sage Essential Oil
Sage Essential Oil is made through steam distillation. Sage leaves have the most concentration of essential oil, and it is expressed though this simple process. There are three compartments in a distiller: the water flask, the leaf flask and the container where the expressed oil is stored.
Sage Essential Oil Recipe
Sage Essential Oil is extracted through steam distillation, a process which uses only fire and water. It also means that there is no need for other additives to be added into the leaves to make the oil. Here is how you can make a DIY Sage Essential Oil at home.
Ingredients:
- Sage leaves
- Olive oil
- Funnel
- Glass jar
- Strainer
- Dark colored container
- Freezer bag
- Rubber mallet
Procedure:
- Place the sage leaves into the freezer bag, making sure to remove all the air inside.
- Pound the bag with the rubber mallet.
- Put the crushed sage leaves into the glass container, together with the olive oil.
- Place the jar where there is enough warmth for 2 days.
- Using the strainer and funnel, drain the oil into the dark colored container.
Where to Buy Sage Essential Oil
Sage Essential Oil can be bought wherever essential oils are sold. The Internet is a good source of essential oil, and there are plenty of brands you can choose from. doTERRA is one brand you can buy off the Internet, from the brand’s main website. You can also find Sage Essential Oil in your area, or you can make your own blend right in your home.
Sage Essential Oil FAQs
How long can Sage Essential Oil last?
Sage Essential Oil can last for up to one year in room temperature, but longer if placed in the refrigerator.
Is Sage Essential Oil safe?
It is GRAS, or generally regarded as safe for ingestion by the United States Food and Drug Administration. But it should always be used with caution, and it is prohibited to be used by people who are very young and have severe illnesses. Before using Sage Essential Oil, it is wise to consult a physician or a qualified aroma therapist beforehand.
Can alcohol have an adverse effect when taking Sage Essential Oil?
Yes, Sage Essential Oil can intensify a person’s intoxication.
