Salvia officinalis · Leaf
Sage
Traditional + some evidenceFrom the Latin 'salvere', to be well, sage has a medieval proverb all its own: 'Why should a man die whose garden grows sage?'
Traditionally used for
- Traditionally used as a gargle and for digestion
- Used in European tradition to support memory
What research says
NCCIH notes small studies on sage for memory and hot flashes, but there isn't enough evidence to draw conclusions.
How people use it
- Brown butter sage over squash or pasta
- Leaf tea with honey and lemon
- Classic stuffing and sausage herb
Safety and interactions
- Food amounts are safe
- Some sage species contain thujone, which can be harmful in large amounts
- Avoid concentrated sage oil
Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using sage as a supplement, especially with prescription medicine, in pregnancy or before surgery.
Sources
Reviewed October 25, 2026. Evidence tier: Traditional + some evidence: Long traditional use; human research is limited, small or mixed. How we rank evidence.