Garden Sage (Salvia Officinalis) - Side Effects and Benefits

Botanical Name of Garden Sage: Salvia Officinalis

Other Common Names:Common, garden, kitchen or dalmation sage, salie and salvia

Habitat: This plant is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region but has been naturalized to other warmer temperate climates, including North America. Garden sage (Salvia Officinalis) prospers in an alkaline soil in full sun. It is commonly found in dry banks and rocky soil.

Plant Description: Garden sage is a fragrant shrub with silver-green leaves. It has a woody stem and blue to purplish flowers. This plant may reach a height of 60 centimeters and a spread of 45 centimeters. The garden sage plant flowers in mid-summer.

Plant Parts Used: The flowers and leaves can be dried for herbal uses, although the leaves are most commonly used.

Therapeutic Uses and Benefits of Garden Sage (Salvia Officinalis)

* Traditionally, the leaves have been made into a poultice and used externally to treat sprains, swelling, ulcers and bleeding. It was also commonly used in tea form to treat sore throats and coughing.
* Considered by many herbalists as a good medicinal herb for treating eczema.
* Garden sage is useful in treating the symptoms of menopause, including “hot flashes.”
* Salvia officinalis has shown anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties that make it a useful weapon in combating many illnesses. Some studies have shown it to be effective against candida albicans, herpes simplex virus II, and influenza virus II.
* This herb has shown great promise in aiding digestion and enhancing overall tone of the digestive tract.
* Garden sage also has shown anti-oxidant properties equal to that of alpha-tocopherol.
* Sage helps reduce excessive perspiration and salivation.
* Salvia officinalis may also support liver and pancreatic function.
* Sage tea does appear to have a mild calming effect as well.
* Garden sage may be helpful in Type II diabetes for lowering blood sugar levels through Insulin support (although only a mild effect.)
* Sage has been used commonly as a flavor preserver in foods, as well as a flavoring during cooking.
* Leaves of the sage plant can be placed in bathwater to enhance dark hair.
* Garden sage leaves may be applied to an aching tooth to relieve pain.

Dosage and Administration

Garden sage may be taken in tea form, added to foods while cooking, added raw to salads and sandwiches, and also in tablet/capsule form. The recommended dosage is 400 mg taken one to three times daily. Sage may also be used in aromatherapy.

Side Effects and Possible Interactions of Garden Sage (Salvia Officinalis)

There are no major side effects documented with garden sage use in normal doses. It may be toxic in large dosages or when used for a prolonged period. It should not be used while pregnant or breast feeding. Salvia officinalis should not be used by people with epilepsy or other seizure disorders. No drug interactions have been noted with sage use.

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About alien:
Alien writes for Natural herbs . He also writes for herbs and asthma home remedies

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) - Side Effects and Benefits

Botanical Name of Red Clover: Trifolium pratense L.

Other Common Names: Beebread, cow clover, meadow clover, purple clover, trefoil, wild clover.

Habitat: Red clover is a perennial herb that grows commonly in the wild throughout Europe, Asia and Africa and has been naturalised to North America. It is used as a grazing food for cattle and as a green manure as is a nitrogen–rich crop.

Description: Red clover is a member of the Leguminosae family. It can grow to approximately 1-2 feet and has purple-pink tubular flowers. Its name is derived from Latin: tres for three and folium for leaf and pratense for growing in meadows.

Plant Parts Used: Flower heads. Red clover is generally taken as a standardised extract in tablet form. Red clover leaves are eaten as a salad and the flowers are dried for use in teas.

Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims of Red Clover

* Red clover has a long history of traditional use in China, Europe and Russia for a variety of medical conditions including bronchial asthma, liver and digestive ailments, sore eyes and burns.
* It was thought to purify the blood by promoting urine, mucus and bile production and improve circulation.
* Traditionally red clover ointments have been applied to the skin to treat conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
* There is a history of use of red clover as a short-term cough medicine for children.
* Red clover is a rich source of the isoflavones; formonnectin, biochanin A, daidzin and genistein which are natural hormones
* Red clover supplements are promoted worldwide for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and the maintenance of health and welfare after the menopause.
* Clinical trials show that red clover extracts may provides some benefit for hot flushes associated with the menopause.
* It is also suggested that Red Clover may be of use for women experiencing breast pain.
* There is promising evidence for a positive role for red clover in the development of osteoporosis.
* Red clover extracts have been shown to have a positive effect on high blood pressure.
* Clinical studies have shown red clover to have no detrimental effect on the womb or breast tissue.
* In addition it’s natural hormonal components; Red clover contains many essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, chromium, niacin, phosphorous, potassium, thiamine, magnesium, and vitamin C.
* Red clover can be found in herbal combinations thought to be useful for women’s health.

Potential Side Effects of Red Clover

Side effects with red clover are generally mild and rare. They include breast tenderness, menstruation changes and weight gain. Red clover extracts have theoretically been associated with interactions with blood thinning agents e.g. warfarin and hormonal therapies but this has not been confirmed with actual case reports. Although there is no evidence for concern, it is advised that red clover extracts should be avoided in women with a history of breast cancer. Pregnant and breast feeding women should not take red clover.

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About alien:
Alien writes for Natural herbs . He also writes for herbs and asthma home remedies