Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Healing with Sage
Toute bonne overstates things a bit, but sage contains an aromatic oil with some value in herbal Healing. The oil has one unique property that sets sage apart from all other Healing herbs-it reduces perspiration.
Antiperspirant - Several studies show sage cuts perspiration by as much as 50 percent, with the maximum effect occurring 2 hours after ingestion. This effect helps explain how sage developed a reputation for treating fever, which causes profuse sweating, and for drying up mothers’ milk. Today a sage-based antiperspirant (Salysat) is marketed in Germany.
Wound Treatment - Sage is active against several infection-causing bacteria in the test tube, lending some credence to its age-old use in treating wounds. Modern physicians would not recommend bandaging wounds with sage leaves as did Dioscorides, but for cuts and scrapes in the garden, you may want to crush some sage leaves into the wound on the way to washing and bandaging it.
Preservative - Meats spoil in part because their fats turn rancid (oxidize). Like rosemary, sage contains powerful antioxidants, which slow spoilage. The antioxidants in sage, comparable to the commercial preservatives BHA and BHT, support its traditional use as a preservative.
Sage’s preservative action may help prevent food poisoning on your next picnic. Mix it generously into hamburger meat and tuna, pasta, and potato salads.
Digestive Aid - Like most culinary spices, sage may help relax the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract (making it an antispasmodic). This property lends support to the herb’s traditional use in gastrointestinal complaints.
Diabetes - One German study shows sage reduces blood sugar (glucose) levels in diabetics who drink the infusion on an empty stomach. Diabetes is a serious condition requiring professional care. If you’d like to include sage in your overall management plan, discuss the herb with your physician.
Sore Throat - Sage contains astringent tannins, which account for its traditional use in treating canker sores, bleeding gums, and sore throat. In Germany, where herbal Healing is more mainstream than it is in the United States, physicians recommend a hot sage gargle for sore throat and tonsillitis.
Women’s Health - Some studies suggest sage oil may stimulate the uterus, possibly explaining its traditional use in menstruation promotion. Pregnant women should not take medicinal doses. Other women might try it to bring on their periods.
Rx for Sage
For garden first aid, crush some fresh leaves into cuts and scrapes on the way to thoroughly washing and bandaging them.
For an infusion to settle the stomach, or possibly help manage diabetes, use 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day. This may also be used as a gargle. Sage tastes warm, pleasantly aromatic, and somewhat pungent.
In a tincture, take ½ to 1 teaspoon up to three times a day.
It might also help reduce wetness if you perspire a lot.
Medicinal doses of sage should not be given to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.