Sage
Profile
| Latin Name | Salvia officinalis |
| Chinese Name | Not Known |
| Family | Lamiaceae/Labiatae |
| Note | Middle |
| Aroma | <Moderate> Herbaceous, Spicy, Sharp |
| Color | Clear |
| Parts Distilled | Leaves (and sometimes Flowers) |
| Regions | Albania, France, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean, Spain, Turkey, Yugoslavia |
| Taste | Spicy, Bitter, Sweet |
| Nature | Cooling |
| Affinity | GB, KD, ST |
| Major Chemical Constituents | Ketones (mostly thujone ~20-70%), monoterpenols (~5-40%), oxides (~5-15%) |
| Skin Type | Oily |
| Dosage | 4-6% dilution |
TCM Categories
Functions
- Clear Stomach Fire - fever, sweat, sore throat, toothache, frontal headaches, mouth/gum ulcers, thrush, bad breath
- Nourish yin deficiency - amenorrhea, menopausal hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia, night sweating, false libido, dysmenorrhea
- Promote bile production (e.g., damp-heat)
- Break up fire toxins & phlegm stasis - fatty deposits, cellulite, tumors
Indications
- Stomach Fire (ST-9, ST-5, ST-12, CV-12, ST-44, LI-11)
- Deficient Yin (CV-4, KI-3, SP-6, KI-6, KI-9, CV-7)
- Damp-Heat in Gall Bladder (GB-24, GB-26, GB-34, GB-40)
Topical Applications
- Apply to blends for oily skin (e.g., acne) and to promote hair growth.
- Add to liniment for post work-out massage to clear heat/inflammation
- In the muscles.
Specific Protocols
- 4% dilution of Sage (50%), Roman Chamomile (30%), and Basil (20%) to open the Dai-Belt Vessel.
- 4% dilution of Sage (40%), Lavender (30%), and Neroli (30%) for Deficient Heart Yin with Empty Fire.
Actions
- Antimicrobial
- Antispasmodic
- Emmenagogue (a substance that stimulates or increases menstrual flow)
- Expectorant
Contraindications & Cautions
- Estrogenic (though will decrease lactation)
- Contains thujone - avoid if prone to seizures
- Estrogenic cancers
- Not Used During Pregnancy
- Not for Pre-Pubescent Children
Notes
- Clear heat and inflammation in the muscles
- Used in a blend to open the Dai Mai
- Strong to nourish yin, strong to create estrogen
- For honoring and learning from your own intuition and experience, and honoring the world in your own reflection (self-reflection)
- Carry through with your intentions
Additional Comments
- Although Sage has a higher thujone content than Wormwood, it is safer than Wormwood.
- Spanish Sage (Salvia lavandulae folia) is less toxic and irritating. Its aroma can lead to confusion with Lavender