Sage belongs to the dicotyledonous plant Lamiaceae, and is a perennial herb widely distributed in the United States and Europe. It is said that the name sage is derived from the Latin word meaning ‘treatment’ or ‘rescue’. Sage, characterized by its unique strong aroma and taste, is used as a filling in various meat dishes such as pork and turkey in Western cuisine, and has been widely used in herbal teas, beverages, and flavored vinegars. In addition, various essential oil components such as alpha-pinene, brneol, and sesquiterpene contained in sage are used as a flavoring agent to remove the foul smell and odor of various meat and fish dishes, and are also used in various dishes such as curry and sauce. do.
In addition to various essential oil components, sage also contains a lot of nutrients that are excellent for anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action, so it is recognized as an excellent value as a medicine to treat various diseases of the nervous system and digestive system. Due to the excellent pharmacological action of sage, it is said that it has been widely used as an herbal medicine to treat various diseases in Europe, where it is the main origin and distribution area. Now, let’s check in more detail about the main effects of sage and the side effects to be aware of when ingested.
Sage Main Benefits
1. Antioxidant effect
Sage contains a large amount of various types of polyphenol-based components including tannins, so it is said to be excellent in antioxidant activity that prevents cell oxidation caused by free radicals and prevents damage. It is said that this antioxidant action is excellent in improving immunity that protects the body from viral and bacterial infections entering the body, and it is also said to help prevent the occurrence of various infectious diseases.
2. Skin health
Oxidative stress caused by excessively generated free radicals is well known as the main cause of accelerating aging by causing cell damage. The excellent antioxidant action of sage inhibits these free radicals, thereby preventing wrinkles on the skin and preventing premature aging.
In addition, the leaf extract of Clara Sage, a type of sage, has excellent health benefits for sterilization and skin regeneration, so it is said to help promote the regeneration of damaged skin cells.
3. Blood circulation
The complex action of various polyphenols contained in sage is said to be effective in reducing LDL cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol, which is a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, is a major risk factor for vascular diseases along with triglycerides by generating an inflammatory response through penetration of the blood vessel wall. It is said to help prevent various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases by preventing atherosclerotic plaques that adhere to the walls of blood vessels.
4. Inflammation
It is said that sage also helps a lot in suppressing excessively generated inflammation, which is the main cause of various chronic diseases. Due to the excellent anti-inflammatory action of sage, it has been widely used as an anti-inflammatory agent that suppresses inflammation, and is said to be effective in improving symptoms such as arthritis, sore throat, tonsillitis, gastritis and enteritis. In addition, sage is known to be effective in improving the symptoms of stomatitis, an inflammatory disease that appears in the mucous membrane of the mouth and around the mouth.
5. Sedation
Sage is well known as an herbal herb with excellent sedative properties, so it is said to be very helpful in relieving stress as well as calming the anxious and anxious mind. This soothing effect of sage is made with essential oil extracted from aromatic ingredients, and it is also widely used in aromatherapy to heal the mind and body. In addition, it is reported that the scent of sage not only has a calming effect, but also helps improve concentration, memory, and cognitive ability, thereby helping to improve overall brain function.
Other efficacy and side effects
In addition to the various effects mentioned above, sage is said to help improve digestion and absorption and at the same time help to relax the stomach, improving symptoms such as bloating and indigestion. The excellent digestion and absorption of sage is said to be particularly outstanding when eating meat dishes.
In addition, sage is known to be effective as a tonic to increase vitality, and it is said to help relieve symptoms such as stroke and numbness in the hands and feet. It is also known to be beneficial in regulating blood sugar levels by improving insulin resistance through suppression of excess fatty acids. In addition, it is said to have the effect of preventing and alleviating the main symptoms of menopausal syndrome, which occurs after menopause and causes various symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, and depression. Although sage has various effects, it is recommended that pregnant women limit their intake as there are reports that it stimulates the uterus.