Use sage to improve oral and mental health

Thursday, March 31, 2011 by: Shona Botes
Tags: safe, oral health, health news

(NewsTarget) Sage (also known as garden meadow or Salvia officinalis in Latin) has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes for many years. It was even used as a meat preservative in ancient times. In medieval times, it was often referred to as toute bonne, which means `all is well.` It has many benefits, ranging from being an excellent memory enhancer to being a natural breath freshener. It is even found in commercial mouthwash products.

Sage is an excellent antioxidant, which helps our bodies in the fight against free radicals. Its leaves can be chewed to clean one's mouth and freshen the breath. It also has the ability to help relieve tension headaches and calm the nerves. Herbalists have recommended sage as a treatment for fever, as it has the ability to reduce perspiration in the body. Many natural deodorant products contain sage extracts as one of the active ingredients.

A German study revealed that diabetics, who drank a sage infusion on an empty stomach, were able to reduce their blood sugar levels. It is used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, ranging from muscle spasms to indigestion. Gargling with hot sage has been known to soothe tonsillitis and sore throats. It is also effective in the treatment of gingivitis and mouth sores. Those suffering from menstrual cramps can benefit from using this herb as well.

Sage also helps guard against the depletion of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. By combining ginkgo biloba with sage and rosemary, it is possible to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's. It is also highly recommended for those who suffer from inflammatory conditions, atherosclerosis and bronchial asthma. It has been used in the healing process of sores and wounds.

Sage is also known for its flavourful contribution in many food dishes because of its ability to be used with virtually any food. It is most commonly used in meat dishes, soups and teas. It is rich in iron, potassium, calcium and Vitamin A. It can be combined with onion to make a meat stuffing. By boiling the leaves, sage tea can be made. Add it to salads with cucumber, tomato, bell peppers and onions. It can also be cut and sprinkled over virtually any food.

Sources:

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benef...
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foo...
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Miraculous-Ben...
http://www.vitaminstuff.com/herbs-sage.html

About the author

Shona Botes blogs about green living, budgeting, saving money, natural remedies and humour (which is often combined with the abovementioned topics). Her spare time is spent tending to her organic herb garden, cycling and engaging in photography.
Her blog may be viewed here
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