The Benefits of Sage

As has been the case with many natural health products that are sold today, it was the historical use of botanicals as medicines by indigenous people and traditional healers that initially piqued the curiosity of modern scientists, and prompted them to investigate what made them work and how they could be used today. This has certainly been the case with sage. The genus Salvia, commonly known as sage, is the largest member of the Lamiaceae or mint family, which contains over 900 species throughout the world.

Many species of sage, including Salvia officinalis (common sage), are native to the Mediterranean region and have been used in a variety of different countries and cultures, for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

Sage’s reputation and benefits as a medicinal herb can be traced back for many centuries, and it appears in original texts and parchments from ancient Greece, Rome and China, as well as featuring in cures and remedies passed down through Ayurveda, India’s traditional medical system, and Native American wisdom.

Sage has been most often used as a treatment for the following conditions: pain, swelling, inflammation, hot flushes, excessive sweating, indigestion, bloating and elevated blood fats, as well as for improving cognitive performance and memory. Of all of these potential applications, it is the impact of sage on cognitive performance and memory – and especially on how it appears to be able to improve concentration and focus – that has become the key area the scientific community is examining.

There are a number of reasons for this, ranging from an increased demand for treatment for age-related cognitive diseases, such as dementia, as well as the broader population wanting strategies for staying sharp and focused on work or study at any age, as well as supporting general mental health and wellbeing.

Sibelius™ Sage is a one-of-a-kind, clinically researched sage extract that works quickly and delivers cognitive benefits naturally and safely across different age groups.

Let’s look at the most recent research:

• Current research conducted with Sibelius™ Sage on 20 healthy volunteers (65-90 years old) taking either 167mg or 333mg showed a significant improvement in cognitive performance within one hour of treatment. This included the improvement of secondary memory, recognition, recall, accuracy and speed of attention.
• A randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled study was performed with a total of 72 participants (12-14 and 18-25 years old). Participants took either a placebo, or a 150mg or 300mg single dose. The researchers noticed a 30 per cent improvement in immediate word recall accuracy just one hour after taking the product. No safety concerns or adverse effects were noticed in either age group.
• An essential question yet to be answered is how Sibelius™ Sage works in the body. This has not been fully revealed, primarily because there are several potential mechanisms of action. For example, one of sage’s properties that may maintain brain health is its anti-inflammatory action. Chronic, low-grade inflammation is recognised as a major risk factor in the development of many age-related chronic conditions, including reduced brain health.
  
  
  

Information presented is for information purposes only and is not intended to replace advice or treatment from qualified healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to treat or diagnose. Always consult your healthcare professional before taking nutritional or herbal supplements. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have any allergies or diagnosed conditions, or are taking prescription medications, always consult your healthcare professional before taking nutritional or herbal supplements.