Sage belongs to the genus Salvia which is the largest genus of the mint family, Lamiaceae. The artistic botanical name Salvia is derived from the Latin word meaning ‘to save’ that calls attention to the purported healing properties of the herb.
Salvia officinalis is also customarily known to the globe as garden sage, common sage, and culinary sage. Sage is an evergreen, shrub perennial that is characterized by spiky spring flowers of a variety of colors including pink, white, blue, and purple. Its leaves depict a beautiful shade of grayish-green and possess trichomes on its under-side that serve as a storage vesicle for the volatile oil that imparts characteristic flavor and medicinal properties.
Sage is brimmed with antioxidant properties that are not only employed in medicinal discipline but are also used by some companies to prevent the rancidification of oil. Sage leaves bolster the immune system, management of diarrhea, flatulence, colic, and heartburn. Its leaves are also utilized for reducing depression, memory loss, and even Alzheimer’s disease. The plant is packed with beneficial nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that normalize blood sugar level, curtails bad cholesterol levels, support oral health, and eases menopausal symptoms. It is also claimed to be chemopreventive.
The sage plant is topped up with tannic acid, oleic acid, ursonic acid, ursolic acid, carnosol, carnosic acid, fumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, niacin, nicotinamide, flavones, flavonoid glycosides, and estrogenic substances. These active ingredients are held responsible for the pharmacological activities of Sage.