Description.
Sage - shrub, which reaches a height of 30-60 cm, refers to a family of coarse-grained. It has greenish-gray stems, at the bottom they are woody, on top - grassy. The leaves are opposite in relation to each other. Blossoms sage from the end of June and all July. Flowers are small violet-red, white or pink. Fruits appear in August (September), they also have a pleasant strong flavor.
Sage grows on the mountain slopes in the Mediterranean region. In Russia, sage is grown as a medicinal plant. For cultivation, special plantations are used in the southern part of our country, in the middle zone it is grown in kitchen gardens, flower beds and beds. Also, sage is grown in Moldova and in the south of Ukraine.
Composition.
As a medicine, sage leaves are used. They contain a huge amount of useful substances used in medicine (salvin, cineole, essential oil, alkaloids, resins, tannins, phytoncides, bitter and various acids).
The phytoncides that make up the sage kill and inhibit the growth of fungal and protozoan bacteria. Phytoncides have a disastrous effect on the tubercle bacillus.
Essential oil is rich in volatile aromatic substances and has an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect. Also, essential oil improves the secretion of the glands (digestive).
Salvin is used for periodontal diseases and inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx, as it has an astringent and anti-inflammatory effect.
The acid, which is contained in sage, is similar to natural hormones, it helps inhibit inflammation. Resins are antimicrobial and have a pleasant smell, and cineole enhances the antiseptic properties of sage. Bitterness in the composition of sage increases appetite, which improves the secretion of digestive glands. Tanning substances anesthetize, have astringent, bactericidal, vasoconstrictive effect, they reduce the secretion of mucus.
The restriction in the application of sage is the thujone contained in it. He has a psychotropic effect, negatively affects the brain. Also thujone is found in wormwood, which is often used for the preparation of absinthe - alcoholic beverages, banned in many countries.
In our time, salvia is very popular - one of the kinds of sage. It grows in Mexico. Salvia has an action similar to that of marijuana, but weaker. The ancient Maya considered this plant sacred, as it was used to immerse consciousness in a special state. The use of this plant is unsafe.
Medical properties.
This medicinal plant is used in medicine as an external agent, since it has a strong disinfectant and anti-inflammatory effect. Sage is used as an infusion for gargling with ARVI, sore throat, stomatitis. Also, sage is used for enemas, douching and baths. Infusion is used for purulent wounds, ulcers, as well as for hair loss.
In folk medicine, sage is used as a means, normalizing the work of the gastrointestinal tract, the activity of the gonads. Sage is used for obesity, as well as aging as a means that can rejuvenate the skin.
And sage is used as a means to prevent milk production in women breastfeeding, and as a means of suppressing the activity of the sebaceous glands.
Contraindications.
Sage is contraindicated in pregnant women and with acute nephritis. Sage intake should not last more than three months, as it irritates the mucous membrane and adversely affects the nervous system.
The recipe for cooking is infusion of sage.
A tablespoon of dried sage leaves are poured with boiling water (a glass) and insisted for 20 minutes. After the infusion, they cool, filter and rinse their throats.
Sage - an excellent tool for the prevention of inflammatory diseases, but its use should be only externally. The use of sage inside is not allowed by official medicine.