Sage, the cure-all: The “mother of all medicinal plants” is the medicinal plant of the year 2023

Thanks to its versatility, sage has been used for a wide variety of illnesses and complaints since ancient times. Superfood expert Barbara Simonsohn , author of the compact guide " Sage - Mother of all medicinal plants ", presents the ingredients, effects and areas of application of one of the most exciting medicinal plants in the history of medicine, as well as numerous possible uses.

The Renaissance of Sage

Sage was already a popular medicinal plant in ancient times and was sought after because of its spectrum of active ingredients. This is why it is currently experiencing a renaissance. The "Study Group on the History of Medicinal Plant Science" chose the plant as the medicinal plant of the year 2023 due to its versatility, and there are already more than a thousand scientific studies on it that convincingly confirm the effects of sage.

In her latest compact guide , nutritionist and successful guide author Barbara Simonsohn presents the "queen of medicinal plants", which seems to have fallen from heaven as a "savior" for people today. The aromatic medicinal herb has proven particularly effective for colds, respiratory diseases and oral hygiene; but it is also used for excessive sweating, diabetes, gingivitis, digestive problems such as flatulence, bloating or heartburn, menstrual cramps, acne and other skin diseases, poor concentration and nervousness. The valuable ingredients have antibacterial, antioxidant, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Sage prevents cardiovascular diseases and cancer, protects against dementia and Alzheimer's, relieves menopausal symptoms and ensures psychological stability.

Sage in folk medicine

For the ancient Egyptians and Romans, sage not only stood for eternal and long life, as a herb of immortality, but it was also believed that sage helped to give life. As a medicinal remedy, sage was used both for contraception and for easy births, as a therapy against infertility and against love spells cast by witches, and as smoke sage to disinfect the rooms of the seriously ill or against evil spirits in the stable and in the house. Clergy, kings, emperors and scholars showed respect and admiration for sage. Celebrities of every era praised the medicinal plant as a divine gift and great blessing. Roman soldiers brought sage to Central Europe, where it became a permanent fixture in farmers' gardens.

Medically, sage was used to treat epilepsy, lethargy and plague. Early on, sage was used therapeutically for fever, urinary tract disorders, colic, colds and toothache, but also to inhibit excessive sweating, to strengthen the nerves and to promote digestion. Most of these indications have been confirmed by modern studies. Until modern times, sage was revered as an almost panacea.

A jack of all trades of healing effects

So far, an incredible number of 160 medicinally effective ingredients have been identified in sage, the vast majority of which are bioactive substances or polyphenols, which make sage the antioxidant star among medicinal plants. With 600 milligrams of calcium per 100 grams, sage is one of the most calcium-rich plants of all; and with 200 milligrams of magnesium per 100 grams, sage is also a good source of magnesium. Sage is a cornucopia of bioactive substances with antioxidant effects.

It is a jack of all trades when it comes to its medicinal properties, a kind of "medicine cabinet for all purposes". For example, a study of the antibacterial activities of sage oil found that it is more effective than antibiotics against pathogenic bacteria without damaging the intestinal flora or causing other undesirable side effects. Sage is successfully used as a natural antibiotic for sore throats, laryngitis, throat ulcers and tonsillitis. Sage has also been extensively studied as a cancer treatment plant, namely in relation to lung cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and blood cancer. It was named "Medicinal Plant of the Year" primarily for its preventive effect against dementia and Alzheimer's.

Book tip:
Barbara Simonsohn: Sage - mother of all medicinal plants. Recipes and applications for throat problems, gastrointestinal diseases, skin problems, for the respiratory tract, for dental and oral hygiene and much more. Compact guide . Mankau Verlag 2023, flapped paperback, full color, 11.5 x 16.5 cm, 158 pages, 12.00 euros (D) | 12.40 euros (A), ISBN 978-3-86374-706-0

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