Sage

© Steven Foster

This fact sheet provides basic information about sage—common 

names, what the science says, potential side effects and cautions, and 

resources for more information.

Common Names—black sage, broad-leafed sage, common sage

Latin Names—Salvia officinalis, Salvia lavandulaefolia, Salvia lavandulifolia

Sage has been used for centuries as a spice and seasoning in cooking 

and as a folk or traditional remedy for hoarseness, coughs, and sore 

mouths and throats. In ancient times it even was thought to extend life. 

Sage was used as a fertility drug in ancient Egypt. Physicians in ancient 

Greece used a solution of sage and water to stop wounds from bleeding 

and to clean sores and ulcers.

Today, sage is used as a folk or traditional remedy for mouth and throat 

inflammation, indigestion, and excessive sweating; to improve mood; 

and to boost memory or mental performance.

Sage is available as dried leaves, liquid extracts and sprays, and 

essential oils.

What the Science Says 

• Sage has not been well studied as a treatment for sore throat, so 

there is little scientific evidence to support its use for that ailment.

• Two small studies suggest that sage may improve mood and mental 

performance in healthy young people and memory and attention in 

older adults. Results of another small clinical study suggest that a 

sage extract was better than placebo at enhancing thinking and 

learning in older adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

• Laboratory studies suggest that essential oils from sage may have 

antimicrobial properties.
Side Effects and Cautions 

• Sage is generally regarded as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is approved for 

food use as a spice or seasoning. However, some species of sage contain thujone, which can affect 

the nervous system. Extended use or taking large amounts of sage leaf or oil may result in 

restlessness, vomiting, vertigo, rapid heart rate, tremors, seizures, and kidney damage. It also may 

lead to wheezing. Ingesting 12 drops or more of the essential oil is considered a toxic dose.

• Drug interactions with sage have not been thoroughly studied.

• Sage can stimulate allergic or hypersensitivity reactions. Skin contact may result in inflammation. 

Ingesting sage powder or dust may cause breathing difficulties.

• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give them a 

full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care. 

For tips about talking with your health care providers about complementary and alternative 

medicine, see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign at nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/. 

Sources

Bouaziz M, Yangui T, Sayadi S, et al. Disinfectant properties of essential oils from Salvia officinalis L. cultivated in Tunisia. Food 

and Chemical Toxicology. 2009;47(11):2755-2760.

Kennedy DO, Pace S, Haskell C, et al. Effects of cholinesterase inhibiting sage (Salvia officinalis) on mood, anxiety and 

performance on a psychological stressor battery. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2006;31(4):845-852.

Sage. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturaldatabase.com on May 24, 2010.

Sage (Salvia officinalis, Salvia lavandulaefolia, Salvia lavandulifolia). Natural Standard Database Web Site. Accessed at 

www.naturalstandard.com on April 1, 2010.

Sage Leaf. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: 

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:330-334.

Scholey AB, Tildesley NTJ, Ballard CG, et al. An extract of Salvia (sage) with anticholinesterase properties improves memory and 

attention in healthy older volunteers. Psychopharmacology. 2008;198(1):127-139.

For More Information

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view Using Dietary Supplements Wisely

(nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm).

NCCAM Clearinghouse

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

PubMed® 

Web site: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of 

your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care 

provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

National Institutes of Health

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

D457

Created December 2010

Updated April 2012