Sage medicinal

Salvia officinalis L.

Botanical characteristics. The family is labial. The perennial half-shrub is 30-60 cm high. It has numerous stems, greenish-gray, branching, in the upper part of the plant are herbaceous, in the lower part woody. Leaves opposite, greenish-gray. The flowers are violet-red, white or pink, collected in a spicate inflorescence. The plant has a strong pleasant smell. Blooms in late June and all July. Fruits ripen in August-September.

Spread. In our country in the wild does not occur. Cultivated as a medicinal plant in the south of Ukraine and Moldova, sometimes grown in vegetable gardens, in beds and flower beds in the middle belt of our country.

Used parts of the plant. Leaves.
In the leaves of sage, an essential oil containing salven, thujone, cineole, bitter, as well as alkaloids, tannins, resins, acids (ursolic and oleanic), phytoncides active against Koch's stick

Application. In scientific medicine, sage is mainly used as an external remedy because of its pronounced anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effect. It is used to rinse with angina, influenza, SARS, stomatitis, as well as for enemas, baths and douching. Infusion is used in the treatment of purulent wounds, fistulas and ulcers and with hair loss.
In folk medicine, he is appointed inward for diseases of the liver and kidneys, gastritis, peptic ulcer, enterocolitis, diarrhea, bronchitis. It is believed that sage normalizes the activity of the gonads. In this regard, it is prescribed for infertility, in the climacteric period, with obesity and with senile weakness as a "rejuvenating" remedy.
Infusions of sage ingestion reduce sweating, reduce lactation and act soothingly on the central nervous system.

Contraindications. Sage should be taken in high doses and more than 3 months, as it can cause irritation of the mucous membranes. Contraindicated in acute nephritis, as well as during pregnancy.

Preparation. Infusion for oral administration: 1-2 tablespoons are insisted with 2 cups of boiling water (daily dose). For external use, the dose of the herb is doubled.
In homeopathy Salvia 3x, 3 is used for inflammatory diseases of various etiologies.