The Sage plant (also known as Salvia Sclarea) has been used throughout history for a variety of reasons: as a ritual to cleanse an area of evil, aid with digestive problems, seasoning, hormonal health, visual problems, improve memory…the list goes on. The name/ word sage comes from the Latin word salvia meaning “healing plant” or salvus meaning “safe“. Throughout history (and of course today) it continues to do tremendous wonders for the body.

In the past, I have used sage as a seasoning in spaghetti and to balance my hormones after finishing my birth control. When I was toward the end of my pregnancy, I used the essential oil to prepare for my labor by diffusing sage around the house and applying topically over my stomach and back (around 40 weeks). While using it for one purpose, I discovered a change in the behavior in my son and a change in my husband’s sleep pattern.

The house just felt more serene when it is on. So naturally, I began to research the oil to find out other uses and benefits of it, other than my intended Labor use.

History… Sage has been used by a wide variety of cultures for a vast number of uses dating back centuries; the use of sage is even documented back to 4th century BC. Cultures such as the Ancient Egyptians, Romans, Africans, American Indians, Asians… have used sage not only for religious purposes (riding people and places of evil spirits) but also a wide range of medicinal benefits as well.

Key Benefits… Today people use sage essential oil for:

• • Menstrual discomfort- helps balance hormones which can cause cramping, bloating, mood swings, and cravings
  • Balancing hormones- helps reduce emotional stress
  • Insomnia- can act as a sedative
  • Improve circulation- opens up blood vessels and can lower blood pressure by relaxing you
  • Reducing cholesterol- anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
  • Asthma symptoms
  • Improving eye, hair, and skin health
  • Cleaning- anti-fungal, antiseptic properties
  • It has been added to recipes to stop lactation
  • Decongestant
  • Spiritual cleansing
  • Driving away negative energy or ridding away negative thoughts
  • Air purifier
  • Arthritis
  • Healing skin infections

Common ways to use… You can find many recipes with different combinations with sage herb and essential oil online.

Some people diffuse sage essential oil when they want to soothe digestive discomfort, balance hormones, during the night or calming the environment, cleaning the air of bacteria, and aid with respiratory issues.

Applying it topically helps some with joint pain and muscle tenderness and stiffness. There are reports of people using it for arthritis, sprains, rashes, and in the first aid kit for keeping cuts and burns from getting infected.

There are also reports of using it internally to aid with the same above issues. Use caution not to consume an abundance amount of sage essential oil, remember a little over time goes a long way.

• • • • I have made a tea with (1 drop of each essential oil- lemon, peppermint, and sage with a half of teaspoon of honey) to aid with menstrual cramps and bloating.
      • I have a roll-on with 10 drops of sage essential oil, 8 drops of wild orange, 2 drops of rosemary, and 3 drops of peppermint. This helps me with soreness and menstrual cramping. (apply directly to the irritated area)- I also use this blend when I am feeling hormonally unbalanced.
      • I made a cream to aid with pain during my labor and postpartum process. Almond oil, coconut oil, Castro oil, and cocoa butter with the following essential oils- sage, lavender, peppermint, basil, and wild orange essential oil.
      • During different times of the month/year, I create a cream with Sage and lavender to my daily lotion.
      • In the diffuser, I have blended sage with lemon and peppermint in the early morning to have a calming morning start. Or with wild orange and peppermint in the evening. (I like peppermint so I usually add it to everything. I do make blends without it sometimes.) Mixing sage with eucalyptus in the diffuser creates a clean smell as well. I always have something in the diffuser.
      • When adding it to the diffuser, don’t be afraid to mix new blends. Create a serene blend you will love. It is also a nice addition to the bathwater.

Research… Today research continues to be done to prove the effects of essential oils. In a recent study, clary sage oil was shown to be active against different bacteria in treating wounds and skin infections. Another shows the improvement of oxytocin levels when inhaled, some have used it to fight cancer cells, and much more.

Safety… Using sage is not considered safe during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. It can cause uterine contractions. When ingesting essential oils you should always head the warning from the company you decide to purchase from (not all oils are created equal).

I am always surprised by the information I find when researching plants and essential oils. Their healing properties are truly wondrous. It also makes me think about my daily food choices. Is what I am consuming/ applying on my body promoting health or promoting disease. We live in a world now with so many options. It is important to be conscious, no one is perfect, and we all have different needs depending on our lifestyle. Learning how to balance yourself when stressed is important to maintaining optimal health.

Jasmine Hutchinson PHN, BSN, RN

DISCLAIMER…THIS BLOG IS INTENDED SOLELY TO SERVE AS A RESOURCE TO HEALTH INFORMATION AND TO PROVIDE YOU WITH BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS, CAUTIONS, SAFETY CONCERNS, NATURAL REMEDIES, DIY RECIPES, AND NUTRITIONAL CONCERNS RELATED TO ALL ASPECTS OF HEALTH. THIS BLOG DOES NOT PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE EXPLANATION OF ALL ASPECTS OF ANY HEALTH CONDITION OR CONCERN OR EVEN THOSE ASPECTS THAT ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS BLOG. THIS BLOG IS NOT INTENDED TO BE–AND YOU SHOULD NOT USE IT AS–A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE OR HEALTH CARE GIVEN BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. BE SURE TO SEE A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO HELP ENSURE YOUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF YOUR FAMILY.