Herbs (Global Traditional) · European
Sage (Salvia officinalis) (Salvia officinalis)
Strong Evidencebotanical
Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Sage (Salvia officinalis) contains rosmarinic acid, thujone, and terpenes that provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The herb elevates antioxidant enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase while reducing inflammatory markers.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a perennial evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region, belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The essential oil is extracted via steam distillation from dried or fresh leaves, yielding 0.2–2.9% oil depending on plant part, origin, and development stage.
The research dossier lacks specific human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses for Salvia officinalis. Available evidence focuses on bioactive compound profiles and preclinical mechanisms rather than human outcome studies.
No clinically studied dosage ranges are available in the current research. Essential oil yields range from 0.2–2.9% in dried leaves, with Romanian sources yielding 2.0–2.5%. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is typically consumed in small culinary quantities (1-2g dried herb per serving), limiting macronutrient contribution, but concentrated extracts and medicinal doses (4-15g dried leaf/day) yield meaningful micronutrient and bioactive intake. Per 100g dried sage: Calories ~315 kcal, Protein ~10.6g, Total Fat ~12.7g (including significant linolenic acid ~4.9g and linoleic acid ~1.8g), Total Carbohydrates ~60.7g, Dietary Fiber ~40.3g (notably high, primarily insoluble). Key vitamins per 100g dried: Vitamin K ~1714 mcg (extremely high, relevant anticoagulant interaction concern), Vitamin A ~5900 IU (from beta-carotene), Vitamin C ~32.4mg, Folate ~274 mcg, Vitamin B6 ~2.69mg, Riboflavin ~0.336mg, Thiamine ~0.754mg. Key minerals per 100g dried: Calcium ~1652mg, Iron ~28.1mg, Magnesium ~428mg, Manganese ~3.13mg, Potassium ~1070mg, Zinc ~4.7mg, Copper ~0.757mg, Phosphorus ~91mg, Sodium ~11mg. Primary bioactive compounds: Essential oil constituents including alpha-thujone (18-43% of essential oil), beta-thujone (3-8.5%), 1,8-cineole/eucalyptol (5-15%), camphor (13-36%), alpha-pinene (1-7%), camphene (2-10%), borneol (1-3%), bornyl acetate (trace-2%). Phenolic diterpenes: carnosic acid (~2-7mg/g dried leaf), carnosol (~1-5mg/g dried leaf), rosmanol, and epirosmanol — these are major antioxidant contributors. Phenolic acids: rosmarinic acid (~3-7mg/g dried leaf), caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and ferulic acid at lower concentrations. Flavonoids: luteolin (~0.5-1.2mg/g dried leaf), apigenin, hispidulin, salvigenin, genkwanin, and quercetin derivatives. Triterpenoids: ursolic acid (~2-5mg/g dried leaf) and oleanolic acid (~1-3mg/g dried leaf). Tannins: approximately 3-8% of dry weight, primarily ellagitannins and condensed tannins. Bioavailability notes: Thujone is lipophilic and readily absorbed but undergoes hepatic CYP2B6-mediated metabolism, limiting systemic accumulation at normal culinary doses; high intake is neurotoxic (WHO provisional acceptable daily intake ~0.11mg/kg body weight for thujone). Rosmarinic acid demonstrates moderate oral bioavailability (~1.5-2 hours to peak plasma concentration) with significant phase II conjugation. Carnosic acid undergoes extensive first-pass oxidation to carnosol in vivo, complicating direct bioavailability assessment. Fat-soluble terpenoids (camphor, cineole) show improved absorption when consumed with dietary fat. Mineral bioavailability is reduced by high tannin and phytate content co-present in the dried herb matrix.
Sage's rosmarinic acid upregulates antioxidant enzymes including catalase, manganese superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Terpene compounds like 1,8-cineole and camphor modulate inflammatory pathways by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Thujone and other volatile compounds demonstrate antimicrobial activity against fungal pathogens through membrane disruption.
Current evidence for sage primarily comes from mechanism studies and preclinical research. Antioxidant enzyme elevation has been demonstrated in laboratory studies but lacks human clinical validation. Anti-inflammatory effects of sage terpenes have been observed in cell culture and animal models. The antimicrobial properties against fungi show promise in laboratory settings but require clinical confirmation for therapeutic applications.
Sage is generally safe as a culinary herb but contains thujone, which can be neurotoxic in large doses. High-dose sage supplements may cause seizures, particularly in individuals with epilepsy. Sage may interact with diabetes medications by lowering blood sugar levels. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid therapeutic doses due to potential uterine stimulant effects.
