Salvia officinalis

• GargleLeafExternalEMA well-established

  Main indication per EMA HMPC and German Commission E: gargling and mouth-rinsing with sage leaf infusion for inflammations of the mouth and throat mucosa (stomatitis, gingivitis, pharyngitis, aphthae). Tannins act astringent, the essential oil antimicrobial and mildly local-anaesthetic.

  Preparation & dosage

  Pour 150 ml boiling water over 1-3 g finely cut sage leaves, cover and infuse for 10 minutes, strain and cool to body temperature. Gargle and rinse mouth several times a day (3-4 times); do not swallow when used intensively over several days.

  Dry amount

  1–3 g

  Doses per day

  4×

  Max duration

  2 weeks

  Sources: [1] [3] [4]

• TeaLeafInternalEMA well-established

  EMA HMPC and Commission E: sage tea as traditional use for mild dyspeptic complaints such as bloating, heartburn and flatulence. Essential oils and bitter principles act carminative, spasmolytic and choleretic.

  Preparation & dosage

  Pour 150 ml boiling water over 1-3 g finely cut sage leaves, cover and infuse for 10 minutes, then strain. Drink one cup 2-3 times daily between meals. Use continuously for a maximum of 4-6 weeks — avoid thujone accumulation.

  Dry amount

  1–3 g

  Doses per day

  3×

  Max duration

  4 weeks

  Sources: [1] [3]

• TeaLeafInternalEMA well-established

  EMA HMPC: well-established traditional use as antihidrotic for excessive perspiration, particularly hyperhidrosis and menopausal symptoms (hot flushes, night sweats). Onset of action usually 1-2 hours, duration several hours.

  Preparation & dosage

  Pour 150 ml boiling water over 1-3 g dried sage leaves, infuse for 10 minutes, drink cold (cold preparation suppresses sweating more strongly than hot tea). One cup in the evening before bed for night sweats; for hyperhidrosis twice daily.

  Dry amount

  1–3 g

  Doses per day

  2×

  Max duration

  6 weeks

  Sources: [1] [4] [5]

• TinctureLeafInternalTraditional use

  Traditional ethanolic tincture for dyspeptic complaints and excessive sweating. More concentrated than tea, easy to transport — caution due to thujone content (ethanolic extracts contain more thujone than aqueous ones).

  Preparation & dosage

  1:5 tincture in 70 % ethanol from dried sage leaves. Usual daily dose: 1-3 ml (about 20-60 drops) in a little water, 2-3 times daily before meals. Do not use continuously for more than 4 weeks.

  Liquid amount

  1–3 ml

  Doses per day

  3×

  Max duration

  4 weeks

  Sources: [4] [5]

• CompressLeafExternalTraditional use

  Traditional folk-medicinal use as astringent and antimicrobial compress for poorly healing wounds, mild skin inflammations, insect bites and weeping eczema. Tannins act astringent, the essential oil bactericidal.

  Preparation & dosage

  Pour 250 ml boiling water over 3-5 g dried sage leaves, infuse for 15 minutes, strain. Soak a clean cloth in the warm infusion, wring lightly and apply to the affected skin area for 15-20 minutes. Once or twice daily.

  Dry amount

  3–5 g

  Doses per day

  2×

  Sources: [3] [5] [7]

• InhalationLeafExternalTraditional use

  Traditional use as steam inhalation for the common cold, bronchitis and catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract. The essential oil with cineole and camphor is mucous-membrane active, expectorant and antimicrobial.

  Preparation & dosage

  Add 1-2 teaspoons dried sage leaves (or 2-3 drops sage oil) to a bowl with 500 ml hot (not boiling) water, cover head with a towel, close eyes and inhale steam for 5-10 minutes. Do not use in asthma, pertussis or children under 4 years.

  Dry amount

  1–2 g

  Doses per day

  2×

  ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 4 years — Sage inhalation must not be used in children under 4 years due to thujone, cineole and camphor content — risk of laryngospasm with application near the face.

  Sources: [2] [7]

• SpiceLeafInternalFolk medicine

  Classical Mediterranean culinary herb for fatty foods, poultry, pork, saltimbocca and bean dishes. Essential oils stimulate appetite and digestion and reduce belching after fatty meals. Culinary amounts pose no thujone concern.

  Preparation & dosage

  Sources: [6] [7]

Therapeutic sage preparations (tea, tincture, essential oil) are contraindicated in pregnancy — thujone is uterine-contracting and potentially fetotoxic. During breastfeeding sage may suppress milk production (antigalactagogue — used deliberately for weaning). Maximum continuous use 4-6 weeks due to thujone accumulation (convulsive, hepatotoxic). Pure sage essential oil must never be taken internally — toxicity. Avoid in epilepsy. ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): non-toxic to dogs and cats.

⏱ Max continuous use: 6 weeks