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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Sage

Salvia officinalis

Family LamiaceaeParts used LeafAlso known as Common sage, Garden sage, True sage

This monograph compiles 3 documented constituents, 2 pharmacological actions, 8 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 13 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Key Constituents

Essential oil (thujone, 1,8-cineole, camphor, borneol)[9, 11]

Aromatic constituents; thujone is the safety-limiting compound.

Essential (volatile) oilCamphor1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol)
Rosmarinic acid and other phenolic acids[5, 11, 12]

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents associated with the cognitive effects.

Rosmarinic acidPhenolic acids
Flavonoids[8, 10, 11]

Additional antioxidant constituents.

Flavonoids

Pharmacological Actions

Carminative[11]

Carminative for mild dyspeptic complaints (indigestion)

Neuroprotective / cognition support[1, 2, 7, 12, 13]

Memory and cognitive-function support (enhances cognition in healthy subjects and people with dementia)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Bloating[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from carminative action

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →
Cognitive function[2, 7, 12, 13]Strong · 9/10

Memory and cognitive-function support (enhances cognition in healthy subjects and people with dementia)

more plants for cognitive function →detailed sources →
Hot flashes[4, 11]Traditional · 2/10

Reduces excessive sweating, including menopausal hot flushes and night sweats

more plants for hot flashes →detailed sources →
Indigestion[11]Traditional · 1/10

Carminative for mild dyspeptic complaints (indigestion)

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[11]Traditional · 1/10

Gargle/rinse for sore throat and inflammation of the mouth and throat

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Memory[2, 7, 12, 13]Strong · 9/10

Memory and cognitive-function support (enhances cognition in healthy subjects and people with dementia)

more plants for memory →detailed sources →
Sore throat[11]Traditional · 1/10

Gargle/rinse for sore throat and inflammation of the mouth and throat

more plants for sore throat →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[11]Caution

The essential oil contains thujone, which is neurotoxic and can trigger seizures in high doses - do not exceed recommended doses and do not take the pure essential oil internally; avoid medicinal doses in epilepsy.

Safety note[11]Caution

Avoid medicinal and essential-oil doses in pregnancy and breastfeeding (thujone; sage may also reduce milk supply). Culinary amounts are safe.

References

REF-1273, REF-1274, REF-1275, REF-1276, REF-1277, REF-1278, REF-1279, REF-1280, REF-1281, REF-1282

References & Sources

  1. Ghorbani, A. and Esmaeilizadeh, M (2017) 'Pharmacological properties of Salvia officinalis and its components', Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 7(4), pp. 433-440. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.12.014 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.12.014
  2. Dinel, A.L., Lucas, C., Guillemet, D., Laye, S. and others (2020) 'Chronic Supplementation with a Mix of Salvia officinalis and Salvia lavandulaefolia Improves Morris Water Maze Learning in Normal Adult C57Bl/6J Mice', Nutrients, 12(6), pp. 1777. doi:10.3390/nu12061777 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061777
  3. Al-Gholam, M.A., Hathout, H.M.R., Safwat, M.M. and Essawy, A.S (2024) 'Sage (Salvia officinalis) alleviates trazodone induced rat cardiotoxicity mediated via modulation of autophagy and oxidative stress', Anatomy & Cell Biology, 57(2), pp. 256-270. doi:10.5115/acb.23.247 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.5115/acb.23.247
  4. Sabry, M.M., Abdel-Rahman, R.F., El-Shenawy, S.M., Hassan, A.M. and others (2021) 'Estrogenic activity of Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) aerial parts and its isolated ferulic acid in immature ovariectomized female rats', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 282, pp. 114579. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114579 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114579
  5. Mohammed, H.A., Eldeeb, H.M., Khan, R.A., Al-Omar, M.S. and others (2021) 'Sage, Salvia officinalis L., Constituents, Hepatoprotective Activity, and Cytotoxicity Evaluations of the Essential Oils Obtained from Fresh and Differently Timed Dried Herbs', Molecules, 26(19), pp. 5757. doi:10.3390/molecules26195757 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26195757
  6. Ghowsi, M., Yousofvand, N. and Moradi, S (2020) 'Effects of Salvia officinalis L. (common sage) leaves tea on insulin resistance, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in rats with polycystic ovary: An experimental study', Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 10(3), pp. 263-272. Preclinical
    Find this source
  7. Lopresti, A.L (2017) 'Salvia (Sage): A Review of its Potential Cognitive-Enhancing and Protective Effects', Drugs in R&D, 17(1), pp. 53-64. doi:10.1007/s40268-016-0157-5 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s40268-016-0157-5
  8. Jakovljevic, M., Jokic, S., Molnar, M., Jasic, M. and others (2019) 'Bioactive Profile of Various Salvia officinalis L. Preparations', Plants, 8(3), pp. 55. doi:10.3390/plants8030055 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8030055
  9. Hrebien-Filisinska, A.M. and Bartkowiak, A (2021) 'Antioxidative Effect of Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) Macerate as 'Green Extract' in Inhibiting the Oxidation of Fish Oil', Antioxidants, 11(1), pp. 100. doi:10.3390/antiox11010100 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11010100
  10. Kenjeric, D., Mandic, M.L., Primorac, L. and Cacic, F (2008) 'Flavonoid pattern of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) unifloral honey', Food Chemistry, 110(1), pp. 187-192. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.01.031 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.01.031
  11. European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Salvia officinalis L., folium (Salviae officinalis folium)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/salviae-officinalis-folium Traditional / reference
    https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/salviae-officinalis-folium
  12. Miroddi, M., Navarra, M., Quattropani, M.C., Calapai, F., Gangemi, S. and Calapai, G (2014) 'Systematic review of clinical trials assessing pharmacological properties of Salvia species on memory, cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease', CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics. doi:10.1111/cns.12270 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1111/cns.12270
  13. Perry, E. and Howes, M.J.R (2010) 'Medicinal plants and dementia therapy: herbal hopes for brain aging?', CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics. doi:10.1111/j.1755-5949.2010.00202.x Randomized trial
    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-5949.2010.00202.x

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: website+symptom-tool+pubmed · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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Generated June 22, 2026 from omniasana.bio