There are several common herbs that have health giving and healing properties that you will find in many gardens. One of the best known of the healing herbs is sage.

It’s Latin name is salvia meaning to save or to heal. It is an ancient herb and the healing properties of sage have been known for millenia.

Sage oil contains the chemical substances alpha- and beta-thujone, camphor and cineole as well as rosmarinic acid, tannins, and flavonoids.

Here are just some of the incredible properties of sage:

  1. Memory Booster:- In a study in 1993 at the Universities of Newcastle and Northumbria it was discovered that test subjects who were given sage oil tablets performed much better in a “word recall test” than a control group given a placebo. From the results of this study experts believe the active ingredient in sage may boost levels of certain chemicals that help to transmit messages around the brain. It is also possible that sage could be of help to patients affected by Alzheimer’s disease. In many cases of Alzheimer’s there is a measurable drop in the same brain chemical which is boosted by sage in experiments.
  2. Arthritis:- Sage has anti-inflammatory properties which go some way to helping alleviate the painful swelling that arthritis patients sufferer around the joints.
  3. Sore Throats:- Sage contains powerful anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. It can be used as a natural gargle and still is commonly used in some parts of Europe as an alternative to commercially available treatments. It can also be used as a refreshing and tonic herbal tea to fight against coughs, colds and influenza.
  4. Cancer:- Sage has antioxidant properties which make it a powerful natural weapon in the fight against cancer-causing free radicals in the body.
  5. Wounds:- Sage has also been used for sprains, swelling, ulcers, and bleeding. This is again thanks to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties as well as its styptic ability in helping to stop bleeding.

Sage is a powerful all rounder and one of the top healing herbs. Keep some in your garden as the plant is a hardy perennial which will grow well in almost any type of soil.

Terry Didcott
Alternative Cures

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