Often used in cooking, in sauces or in grandma's herbal teas, sage, a little garden herb that looks a bit like mint, has more than one string to its bow. Let's discover all its benefits for the human body.
A fragrant little herb
Sage is mainly used as a cooking herb. We generally sprinkle our dishes with these small cut herbs, fresh or dried, but we often forget that they have other virtues than just enhancing our taste buds when we taste them. There are two main families of benefits: internal and external. Broadly speaking, sage can boost our immune system, treat sore mouths, soothe stomach aches and even relieve premenstrual pain. There's no doubt that this little garden herb has more than one trick up its sleeve. No taller than mint, its slightly downy green leaves give it a velvety appearance that's very appealing. It can be found on market stalls alongside coriander and mint. Traditionally used as an herbal tea in the Maghreb, it is gradually finding its way back into our kitchens, and even our bathrooms!
Unsuspected internal virtues
If you know that the name sage is of Latin origin and comes from the word "salva" or "salvare" which means to heal, it's easy to understand that sage has many strings to its bow to improve our daily lives.
Used in the Maghreb as an infusion after meals, it is easy to understand its benefits, particularly for the digestive system. Its internal benefits include :
- Relieves bloating
- Helps digestion
- Acts on acid reflux
- Relieves diarrhoea
- Relieves flatulence
- Soothes premenstrual pain
- Antioxidant
- Improves cognitive function
- Effect on blood sugar levels
- Helps regulate menopausal disorders.
Regular consumption of sage leaves can help reduce the harmful effects of certain illnesses, and significantly improve the user's quality of life. Eaten fresh or dried, or even ground into powder, they retain all their virtues and benefits.
External cosmetic benefits
We now know the benefits of sage for our bodies, our organs and our health. But what about its external use? Sage's main quality is its anti-perspirant properties. Surprising, isn't it? Used for many years in cosmetology for its anti-perspirant properties, sage is said to be anti-sweat or, if you want to use an even more technical term, anti-diaphoretic. In a way, sage blocks the sweat glands, and helps all those who find themselves sweating profusely to manage this better on a daily basis. We don't really realise how annoying perspiration can be on a daily basis. Problem or acne-prone skin will find a remedy, as will a blotchy complexion, which will regain its radiance and clarity. Sage leaf has many unsuspected benefits, and it's hard to believe it at first.
Instructions for use as an infusion
Whether used internally or externally, you need to know how to use sage leaf to benefit from all its virtues in the best possible way. There are four ways to use sage leaf:
- As an infusion, using dried sage leaves, use 1 teaspoon of dried sage in a 150-200 ml cup, pour hot (not boiling) water over the leaves and leave them to infuse in the water. You can drink it after meals if you're looking for its digestive benefits in particular, but also throughout the day if you're looking for its antioxidant benefits and more general health benefits.
- As a mouthwash or poultice. You can use the infusion, cooled and filtered, as a mouthwash for all your gum ailments or other dental pains, for example. You can also treat skin irritations or insect bites with poultices made from compresses soaked in this cooled decoction.
- Chia seeds are also known as Spanish sage. They are considered a superfood and are often included in the diets of sportspeople in particular.
Directions for external use
- As an essential oil. Sage essential oil calms spasmodic pain, in other words stomach aches linked in particular to premenstrual pain. It is effective when used on adults only, at a rate of two to three drops per drop, diluted on a sugar cube. (Not recommended for children, pregnant women or people suffering from epilepsy).
- Dried and reduced to a powder, you can 'dab' it on your armpits after a shower and enjoy its anti-perspirant properties with complete peace of mind. We're seeing a return to the use of natural products, particularly in the field of deodorants, so what could be more natural than sage powder under the armpits?
Whatever form you use, sage should be used in a course of treatment lasting at least eight days, with at least three weeks between each course.
Back to basics in the kitchen
While many aspects of sage have been discovered, including its cosmetic and phyto-therapeutic uses, it is of course in its aromatic form that it should be used! With its slightly camphorated flavour, it goes particularly well with poultry and other white meats.
It adds a subtle, pleasant flavour to dishes, while providing unrivalled digestive comfort.
Chia seeds can be sprinkled on everyday foods to reap their nutritional benefits, especially without heating them.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a healthy, natural food that will help you digest better, sage leaves are definitely what you're looking for? It's your daily ally for better digestion.
