Sage is a fragrant medicinal herb that has been used for thousands of years, both as a spice for food and for its incredible health benefits. It is an evergreen plant, which makes it available throughout the year, and can be found fresh, dried, whole, powdered or made into a delicious tea.
It’s a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals, as well as containing plenty of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. It offers a rich peppery flavor, which makes it an excellent addition to meat dishes, main meals and can even be made into a broth or tea.
Here are 12 impressive health benefits of sage:
1. It Helps You to Think Better
Multiple studies have been conducted on the power of sage on the brain, and the results consistently prove that smelling or eating sage boosts cognitive response and memory retention.
2. It’s a Powerful Anti-Inflammatory
Sage offers powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that are in their strongest form when made into a tea. By mixing sage leaves with boiling water and sipping it throughout the day, you will notice a marked decrease in inflammation throughout your body, which includes the symptoms of arthritis, hypertension and painful, swollen limbs.
3. It Soothes Sore Throats
Being an excellent anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory herb makes sage the perfect healer for sore, inflamed throats, and the high level of Vitamin C boosts the immune system to clear the infection.
4. It Fires Up Your Immune System
Sage is an excellent supplement of Vitamin C, which helps to strengthen and maintain your immune system. A strong, healthy immune system keeps armies of white blood cells on standby, ready to attack any cold, flu or virus that might enter your body.
5. Boosts Blood Health
Sage is full of iron, which increases red blood cell count. By boosting red blood cell levels you essentially boost oxygen flow and circulation throughout your body, giving you healthier blood and a healthier body overall.
6. It Loosens Stiff Muscles
Tired and stiff muscles require soothing support, and sage is the perfect medicine. The high level of magnesium helps to increase blood flow to your muscles, warming them and relieving tension. Drink sage tea for the ultimate muscle relaxant.
7. It Strengthens Bones and Teeth
Calcium is essential for strengthening and maintaining the health of bones and teeth, and sage is packed with it. It contains 3% of the daily recommended value per tablespoon, and 165% per 100 grams.
8. It Prevents Constipation
Fiber is important for good digestive health, and every bite of sage contains a heap of it. 100 grams meets 160% of the daily required value, which means that every spoonful will contribute to relieving constipation, promoting the elimination of toxins and improving nutrient absorption.
9. It Improves Your Eyesight
Vitamins A and C, and beta carotene are prominent compounds found in sage, and they support excellent eye health. Vitamin A helps to promote better vision in dim light, Vitamin C fights oxidative stress and beta carotene helps to keep your focus sharp and healthy.
Protein, best known as an amino acid is essential for building lean, strong muscles, and sage is contains plenty of it. By eating more sage you will be repairing muscle tissue and promoting regeneration of healthy cells.
11. It’s an Excellent Antioxidant
Sage contains powerful antioxidants, which helps to reduce oxidative stress caused by pollution and the sun’s harmful UV rays. Oxidative stress can damage cells to the point of developing diseases, which makes it important to combat with natural medicinal substances like sage.
12. It Keeps Your Skin Young and Toned
The high dose of Vitamin C has been proven to increase collagen production in your skin tissues, which helps to promote elasticity, tone and a wrinkle-free glow. The antioxidants further assist to rejuvenate cells damaged by free radicals, which keeps you full of vitality with beautiful, younger looking skin all year round.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvia_officinalis
https://fnic.nal.usda.gov/food-composition/vitamins-and-minerals