Sage Essential Oil

Salvia officinalis - Cool, spicy, herbaceous, distinctive aroma. Astringent, heady, cooling. Dilute in one of our carrier oils before applying to the skin. It has been recognized for its ability to strengthen the senses and vital centers of the body and to support metabolism. It is helpful for supporting the respiratory, reproductive, nervous and other body systems. Sage may help in coping with despair and mental fatigue. It is used traditionally in Europe for the skin and to cleanse and purify the home from negative influences.

*Properties:  Antibacterial, anti-cancerous, antiseptic, antispasmodic, decongestant, diuretic, and disinfectant.  It contains estriol and has estrogen-like properties.

*Historical Uses:  Sage has been used for respiratory infections, menstrual difficulties, digestive complaints, inflammations of the mouth, tongue and throat, and to strengthen the senses.

*French Medical Uses:  Asthma, bronchitis (chronic), digestion (sluggish), gingivitis, glandular disorders, lymphatic system, menopause, menstrual irregularity, night sweats.

Other possible Uses:  This oil may help improve estrogen and progesterone-testosterone balance.  It is believed to contain elements that contribute to the secretion of progesterone-testosterone.  It activates the nervous system and adrenal cortex and may help with illness that is related to digestion and liver problems.  It may also be beneficial for acne, arthritis, bacterial infections, catarrh (mucus), dandruff, depression, eczema, fibrosis, hair loss, low blood pressure, mental fatigue, metabolism, respiratory problems, rheumatism, skin conditions, sores, sprains, tissue (firms), and strengthening the vital centers of the body.

Innumerable beauty treatment products claim that they contain the oil of sage, which is actually its essential oil. Sage is a well known and well heard name in the world of cosmetics, particularly in the field of skin care. But this essential oil has many other uses - menstrual problems; estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone deficiencies; liver problems and more. Read on.

The health benefits of Sage Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like antifungal, anti-microbial, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antibacterial, cholagogue and choleretic, cicatrisant, depurative, digestive, disinfectant, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative and stimulant.

This oil has a number of non-cosmetic medicinal uses which are listed below:

* AntiFungal: The presence of Camphor and Camphene in this oil gives it an antifungal property. This oil is capable of inhibiting fungal infections internally and externally and gives relief from fungal infections like dysentery, skin diseases, athlete’s foot, dermatitis etc. This property is one of the causes behind its use in skin care products.
* Anti-Microbial: Just as it can be used against fungus, it can be used against microbes too. The components in it which gives protection against fungal infection, gives protection against microbial infections too.
* AntiBacterial: This oil is equally useful in countering bacterial infections, as it kills bacteria and inhibits their growth. This property can be used to heal ailments like bacterial infections in ears, nose and throat, eyes, genitals, urethra, colon, intestines as well as on the skin and in wounds.
* AntiOxidant: This is perhaps the ace card of this oil and the reason behind its so extensive use in anti-aging and skin treatment products. Antioxidants, as the name suggests, acts against the oxidants or the free radicals in the body, which are the main causes behind aging. These antioxidants slow down aging and prevent symptoms of aging like wrinkles, shagging skin and muscles, reduction in vision and hearing capabilities, malfunctioning of brain, memory loss, degeneration of tissues, macular degeneration and nervous disorders.
* Anti Septic: Since it has anti-microbial, antibacterial and antifungal properties, it serves as an antiseptic for wounds, surgical incisions, post-natal injuries, ulcers, sores etc.
* Anti-Inflammatory: It reduces inflammations on skin, inflammations due to fever, entry of poisonous stuff in the blood stream, excessive use of intoxicants and narcotics, ingestion of excessive salty or spicy food, influence of very hot winds etc. It helps cure inflammations in stomach, intestines and excretory tracts too.
* AntiSpasmodic: This property of Sage Essential Oil is useful in treating all problems arising out of spasm, such as pain in stomach, chest and intestines; coughs; convulsions and cramps.
* Cholagogue & Choleretic: Both of these properties mean the same, that is, the property which promotes discharge of bile. This helps in digestion, soothing the stomach and the whole digestive system against inflammations caused by excessive acids, neutralizing acids in the stomach and blood stream and thereby giving relief from acidity and acidosis, which in turn protects us from peptic ulcers due to acidity, as well as from boils, eruptions and skin diseases which are caused when acid level rises in the blood.
* Cicatrisant: This is yet another property due to which it has made so strong a place in the world of cosmetics as a key ingredient of anti-marks and anti-spots cream. This property helps vanishing the scars, fat cracks, post-natal abdominal crack marks and after-spots left by boils, pox, sores etc. This also helps quick healing of wounds and incisions.
* Depurative: It speeds up removal of toxins from the blood through excretion or through sweating and thus purifies blood, acting as a depurative.
* Digestive: It acts as a digestive medicine in case of indigestion or otherwise, by facilitating decomposition of food by promoting secretion of bile and gastric juices and by inhibiting microbial growth in the digestive system which interferes with the digestion.
* Disinfectant: The antibacterial, antifungal, anti-microbial and antiseptic properties of Essential Oil of Sage make it an effective disinfectant, as it gives sound protection from internal and external infections.
* Emmenagogue: Regularizes menstrual cycles and helps resume obstructed menses. This oil activates certain hormones such as estrogen which helps bring about clear menstruation and gives relief from problems like headache, nausea, weakness and fatigue, depression etc. which happen during periods.
* Expectorant: Gives relief from cough and cold and infections in chest and respiratory tracts. Also gives relief from congestion resulting from cold.
* Febrifuge: Reduces fever by fighting infections and gives relief from inflammation of fever.
* Laxative: It facilitates excretion and gives relief from constipation by promoting discharge of certain fluids as well as stimulating the intestines.
* Stimulant: If all the properties of this Essential Oil are to be described with a single term, then ‘Stimulant’ would be the appropriate word. Most of the properties it displays are the different expressions of this stimulating property of Sage Essential Oil. It stimulates brain, nervous system, liver, spleen, circulation and excretion, thereby activating them.
* Other Benefits: It helps heal dermatitis, herpes, psoriasis, sinusitis, asthma and bronchitis, accumulation of phlegm, cerebral palsy, sciatica and lumbago and induces mental stability, alertness and cures depression.

Few Words of Caution: Being a nervous stimulant, those with epilepsy or hysteria or having history of them, should avoid using it. Further, since it contains camphor and camphene, which are toxic in nature, it should be avoided during pregnancy. Also avoid use on persons with high blood pressure.

Blending: Essential Oil of Sage blends well with essential oils of Clary Sage, Geranium, Ginger, Lavender, Orange, Vetiver, Neroli, Rosemary and Tea Tree.

Fragrant influence: Mentally stimulating and helps combat despair and mental fatigue. Sage strengthens the vital centers of the body, balancing the pelvic chakra where negative emotions from denial and abuse are stored.

Safety Data:  Classified by Robert Tisserand as an oral toxin due to thujone content.  However, other sources indicate that for thujone to be toxic, undiluted oil in excess of 30 ml must be ingested in a short period of time.  Therefore, use with caution.  Best if kept away from children.  Avoid during pregnancy.  Not for use by people with epilepsy.  Avoid if dealing with high blood pressure.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. This information has been designed to provide information to help educate the reader in regard to the subject matter covered. The product is sold with the understanding that the seller is not liable for the misconception or misuse of the information provided. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, illness, or injured condition of the body. The seller shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained on this sheet. The information presented here is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult a qualified health care professional.