Sage

Sage is a herbal supplement which can be used as a natural remedy as treatment for Alzheimer's disease, herpes labialis, diarrhea, colds, excessive perspiration, (GI antispasmodic/antiflatulent), abdominal cramps, bloating, menstrual cramps and bleeding, cough, tonsil or throat infections. Sage has antibacterial/antimicrobial traits. Some women use sage to treat hot flashes.

Sage may be of benefit for menopausal hot flashes accompanied by profuse perspiration and it may also be used to stop breast milk production when weaning a child from breast feeding. Sage can also be used as a hair rinse in the treatment of dandruff, oily hair or scalp infections and may also restore color to gray or white hair.

Sage is available under the following different brand or other names: common sage, culinary sage, garden sage, meadow sage, salvia officinalis, and true sage.

Dosages of Sage Should Be Given As Follows:

Oral

• Tincture: take 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon dried sage leaves in a sip of water every day or twice a day.
• Herbal Tea: drink several cups of sage tea every day for several weeks.
• Gargle or take small sips of sage tea: as needed throughout day.

Alzheimer's Disease

• Salvia Officinalis Hydroalcoholic Extract: equivalent to 1 gram of sage by mouth every day, or
• Salvia Lavandulaefolia Extract: titrated up to 2.5 mg by mouth 3 times per day.

Herpes Labialis

• Topical cream: 23 mg/day of sage extract and rhubarb extract applied every 2-4 hours for 10-14 days.

Dosage Considerations

There are no dosage considerations for the use of sage.

Possible side effects if excessive amounts are consumed are:

• headaches, and
• irritability

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

Sage has moderate interactions with the drug Topiramate.

Sage has a mild interactions with at least 223 different drugs.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings

This medication contains sage. Do not take common sage, culinary sage, garden sage, meadow sage, salvia officinalis, or true sage if you are allergic to sage or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Contraindications

Do no use simultaneously with anticoagulants, antihypertensive, vasodilators, or if suffering from ulcers, diabetes and when pregnant or breastfeeding.

Effects of Drug Abuse

There are no effects of drug abuse associated with the use of sage.

Short-Term Effects

There are no short-term effects associated with the use of sage.

Long-Term Effects

There are no long-term effects associated with the use of sage.

Cautions

There are no cautions associated with the use of sage.

Pregnancy and Lactation

No information is available regarding use in pregnancy or during lactation. Consult your physician.