Here are 10 of the world's healthiest herbs and spices, supported by science. Read on to learn more…. This difference dictates the right time in the cooking process to add it to a dish. Remember that sage can easily overpower a dish. Secondary options include substituting with marjoram, rosemary, and savory. This green spice is also easy to add to almost any savory dish. May have anticancer properties. Celery, diced • Onion, diced • Apples: peeled, cored & diced • Butter or margarine • Chicken or veggie broth • Seasoned bread cubes, I used a sage and onion pepperidge farms brand • Dried sage or up to 1/4 cup chopped fresh sage Cooking mellows sage, so for fullest flavor, add it at the end of the cooking process. Another way to use sage is in a smudge stick, which is a bundle of dried herbs that is burned to help purify the air and kill airborne bacteria. This green herb is available fresh, dried or in oil form — and has numerous health benefits. Otherwise, if you are concerned about thujone in common sage, then you can simply consume Spanish sage instead, as it does not contain thujone (46). If you prefer just a hint of sage flavor, add it at the beginning or use fresh sage, which has a milder flavor than dried. Sage can be enjoyed as a decoction. Squash Fritters and Fried Sage. Sage belongs to the Salvia plant family and is derived from the Latin word salvere, which means "to heal." This sage-infused olive oil is great for sauteeing. What’s more, it’s nearly impossible to consume toxic amounts of thujone through foods. In healthy adults, sage was shown to improve memory in low doses. The most-used sage types have antimicrobial properties. It turns out that sage is a fantastic herb to have too much of. As with all dried herbs, store any form of dried sage in a closed container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Sage and its compounds are linked to several other health benefits. Dried sage is preferred over fresh by most cooks and comes in a whole leaf, rubbed, and ground form. a turkey recipe that i'm going to use calls for dried rubbed sage; can i substitute it with ground sage instead? If you really like sage, thread fresh sage leaves in between meats and vegetables for shish kebabs. Its velvety leaves release their fragrance when rubbed. This article reviews whether mayo is safe when…. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. It also lowered both total cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol, as well as raised “good” HDL cholesterol (6). High “bad” LDL cholesterol is a key heart disease risk factor, affecting one in three Americans (27). "Aside from the metaphysical uses of smudging, research is showing that sage can also be used to benefit physical, mental, and emotional well-being," says Reshma Patel, PA-C, MMS, CEO and founder of Ananda Integrative Medicine. To freeze fresh sage leaves, wash and pat the sage sprigs dry, remove the leaves from the stems, and pack them loosely in freezer bags. For one, it’s loaded with compounds that can act as antioxidants, which have been shown to buffer your brain’s defense system (19, 20). Tea – To make a tea from sacred sage, place two teaspoons of fresh sage leaves (or 1 teaspoon of dried sage leaves) in a mug. Fresh sage leaves have a strong aromatic flavor and are best used sparingly in dishes. It’s believed that compounds in sage have estrogen-like properties, allowing them to bind to certain receptors in your brain to help improve memory and treat hot flashes and excessive sweating (13). Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, also known as red sage or Danshen (or Dan Shen), is a perennial plant in the mint family, like common sage. When this receptor is activated, it can help clear excess free fatty acids in the blood, which in turn improves insulin sensitivity (15, 16). Litehouse Freeze Dried Sage gives recipes full, fresh flavor with the convenience of a dried herb. However, some people are concerned about thujone, a compound found in common sage. It’s high in antioxidants and may help support oral health, aid brain function and lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Carefully allow the flame to go out so that the tips of the dried leaves are smoldering slowly, and let the smoke billow up. While fresh sage is pungent enough to hold up to long cooking times, the best results come when it … If you are a nursing mother, use sage in medicinal quantities with caution, until you understand how you personally react to it. In humans, sage leaf extract has been shown to lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity with a similar effect as rosiglitazone, another anti-diabetes drug (18). Fresh sage leaves also can be covered in olive oil and stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. Here are some ways you can add fresh sage to your diet: Dried sage is often preferred by cooks and comes ground, rubbed or in whole leaves. Soothes a Sore Throat. Dried sage should be added earlier to allow the flavor to mellow out since it is more pungent. White sage is a fairly common variety used for space clearing, but you can also use bundles of cedar or herbs like mugwort. A combination of sage and rosemary is excellent for making your hair thicker, shinier and stronger. Sage is an herb that is native to the Mediterranean region. Sage is also used as a natural cleaning agent, pesticide and ritual object in spiritual sage burning or smudging. Sage has a strong aroma and earthy flavor, which is why it’s typically used in small amounts. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. … Sage may help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, which can build up in your arteries and potentially cause damage. 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage = 1 teaspoon dried, 10 thin fresh sage leaves = 3/4 teaspoon dried sage. Take one teaspoon of dried herb in a mug of hot water. For other mothers it can dry up the milk supply. At the same time, the flavor is less concentrated than ground sage, so you'll need to adjust quantities when using rubbed sage as a substitute for ground sage in recipes. Whole sage leaves are surprisingly delicious when … You can prepare it by boiling 1 tablespoon of dried sage leaves in a cup of water. to 4 cups bread cubes for stuffing. Pinch off leaves from sage. In one study, sage extract reduced blood glucose levels in rats with type 1 diabetes by activating a specific receptor. It is one of the earliest known medicinal plants, and has so many uses. Rubbed sage is made by rubbing dried whole sage leaves to create a light and fluffy mix. Use it with a light hand if you're experimenting. In one study, a sage-based mouthwash was shown to effectively kill the Streptococcus mutans bacteria, which is notorious for causing dental cavities (7, 8). ACH levels appear to fall in Alzheimer’s disease (21, 22). A sage rosemary hair rinse can be prepared by boiling the two herbs i… However, the sage leaves are used in a silvery gray color, which can be used fresh or dried. The phenolic compounds in sage may have an antioxidant effect and reduce free radicals. Sage is considered safe with no reported side effects (46). However, these benefits have not been extensively researched. Ground sage is made by grinding the entire leaf into a fine powder like any powdered herb. Sage can help support your brain and memory in several ways. One review noted that sage may treat throat infections, dental abscesses, infected gums and mouth ulcers. One teaspoon (0.7 grams) of ground sage contains (2): As you can see, a small amount of sage packs 10% of your daily vitamin K needs (2). This article explains everything you need to know about essential oils and their health…, Can you lower your blood pressure, eliminate hypertension, and improve heart health with essential oils? It turns out that sage may help clear the air of … In the textbooks of Tradit… However, no quality clinical trials are available to … Even so, it’s packed with a variety of important nutrients and compounds. © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Common sage was traditionally used to reduce menopause symptoms (12). Burning sage (also known as smudging) is an ancient spiritual ritual. The leaves of common sage have been used traditionally as a remedy against diabetes. Sage can also be taken internally as a liquid, spray, lozenge, capsule, or tablet. The earthy taste of sage creates … Another study in mice with type 2 diabetes found that sage tea acts like metformin — a drug prescribed to manage blood sugar in people with the same disease (17). Which Essential Oils Promote Better Sleep? You can use them for up to one year. However, more human research is needed to make comprehensive recommendations (11). For example, blue sage is used in cleansing and healing rituals, while desert sage is used for purifying and protection. 1 teaspoon dried Sage = 2 teaspoons fresh sage • Sage is well known for its use in stuffings for poultry, fish, game and other meats. Cancer is a leading cause of death in which cells grow abnormally. Sage also contains small amounts of magnesium, zinc, copper and vitamins A, C and E. What’s more, this aromatic spice houses caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, ellagic acid and rutin — all of which play a role in its beneficial health effects (3). Rubbed is dried sage leaves that have been quite literally rubbed off the stems. Since sage has a thick leaf, it dries … Dried sage leaves can be used in cooking as a spice. 11 Benefits of Burning Sage, How to Get Started, and More, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, 10 Delicious Herbs and Spices With Powerful Health Benefits. Its other names include common sage, garden sage and Salvia officinalis. Overview Information Sage is an herb. In one study, 39 participants with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease consumed either 60 drops (2 ml) of a sage extract supplement or a placebo daily for four months. Use 1/2 tsp. Using Dried Sage Purchase dried sage. Dried sage, especially white sage, was traditionally used by Native Americans for a whole host of benefits, most specifically as a method of purification. In one study, daily use of a sage supplement significantly reduced the number and intensity of hot flashes over eight weeks (14). Sage tea can be used as a hair rinse to impart shine and luster to your locks. Animal research has found that high doses of thujone may be toxic to the brain (47). It has a sweet yet savory flavor, and its most popular use is in stuffing or dressing for Thanksgiving. The volatile oils in dried Sage will dissipate somewhat over time—but I’ve used Sage sticks that were hiding in my altar cupboard for years and no one was the wiser. Sage has antimicrobial effects, which can neutralize microbes that promote dental plaque. Buy it, it’ll burn just fine. It is now best-known as a culinary herb for the dishes of Autumn, from roast turkey to sausage stuffing to pumpkin soup. Sage is an herb with several promising health benefits. 1 bunch fresh sage 1 ⁄ 4 cup olive oil ; Coarse salt Instructions. Freezing intensifies the flavor of the herb so proceed accordingly. During menopause, your body experiences a natural decline in the hormone estrogen. But it also is a flavor powerhouse in bean dishes, tomato sauces, omelets, polenta, chicken risotto, pesto, and sage butter for pasta and trout. It also appears to halt the breakdown of the chemical messenger acetylcholine (ACH), which has a role in memory. Sage’s Magickal Origins. It belongs to the mint family, alongside other herbs like oregano, rosemary, basil and thyme (1). Interestingly, animal and test-tube studies demonstrate that sage may fight certain types of cancer, including those of the mouth, colon, liver, cervix, breast, skin and kidney (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40). You can substitute one type of sage for another with these conversions: Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks. Antioxidants are molecules that help fortify your body’s defenses, neutralizing potentially harmful free radicals that are linked to chronic diseases (4). Combined with mashed potatoes or squash for a more earthy flavor. Once prized for its medicinal value, sage can be used in many other dishes besides turkey dressing. • Use in pot roast or stew of beef or venison. One of the traditional uses for sage is in Italian cooking where it is used with butter in sauces for pasta like gnocchi and with potatoes. Sage is a staple herb in various cuisines around the world. In both younger and older adults, sage appears to improve memory and brain function (24, 25). Use dried sage within six months for the best flavor. Sage comes in several forms and can be used in a variety of ways. However, there is still not enough evidence to recommend sage as a diabetes treatment. We’ll tell you what the research says about…, Mayo is a popular condiment for sandwiches and often used as a base for salad dressings and sauces. Sage is particularly effective in encouraging new hair growth as it improves circulation to the scalp, providing more nutrition to the hair follicles. 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