Sage Leaf: A Natural Menopause Relief Levels Mood Swings

By Smarty

Menopause is a natural part of aging for females. Starting in a woman's mid-thirties to mid-forties, the hormone production in the ovaries begins to fluctuate. This can cause unpleasant symptoms that last for up to ten years, such as:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Sleep disturbances
• Anxiety
• Irregular heartbeat
• Soreness in muscles
• Fatigue

Women have been battling the symptoms of menopause since time immemorial. Consequently, there are many natural herbal remedies that have been shown over time to help. One of these natural alternatives for menopause treatment is the use of sage leaf.

What is Sage Leaf?

• Sage leaf is a common herb that is used in herbal medicine, as well as a cooking spice.
• It is a soft, grayish-green plant that emits a subtle, earthy smell when crushed.
• It originates in Spain and the Mediterranean, but tolerates many different climates.

Historically, it was used by herbalists to treat

• Sprains
• Swellings
• Ulcers
• Bleeding
• Sore throat and cough
• Rheumatism

Sage is noted for helping:

• Strengthen the nervous system
• Improve memory
• Sharpen the senses

Sage leaf is also thought to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Sage is actually named for its curative herbalist properties. The name "sage" is derived from the Latin, salvere, which means "to save."

How do I take Sage?

There are several effective methods for using sage to treat illness. The tea and dilution method can be taken three times daily.

• Tea: 3 grams of chopped sage leaf can be steeped in 150 ml of boiling water for 10 minutes.
• Dilute 5 ml of sage extract in a glass of water
• As a poultice on sprains and swellings. To make this poultice, bruise a handful of sage leaves, and boil them in vinegar for five minutes. Then strain them, put them in a folded napkin, and apply to the affected area.
• As part of an herbal supplement.
• Sage can be purchased at your grocery store, usually found in the spices aisle.
• It is also available from health food stores, or, for the freshest (and cheapest) sage available, you could grow it yourself in a window herb garden.
• Sage can also be grown in your home garden. Sage grows best in a warm, dry climate, but it is a hardy plant and will grow almost anywhere. It prefers partial shade.
• It can be propagated by planting seeds, but a quicker and more common method is to obtain cuttings.

Sage Leaf and Menopause

Sage leaf has been shown to be effective in alleviating the following symptoms of menopause:

• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Hot flashes

Sage leaf can help regulate your mood by reducing the severity of mood swings. Combining sage leaf with alfalfa can enhance its effects.

Side Effects

Sage leaf does not have any adverse side effects when taken as directed. As with anything, too much sage can be harmful. Sage oil should not be taken undiluted. Sage should not be taken internally during pregnancy. Sage should be avoided when fever is present. Sage leaf is most effective in alleviating menopause symptoms when combined with a healthy diet and moderate exercise.

Sources: http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/sages-05.html http://www.project-aware.org/Experience/symptoms.shtml http://myhealth.ucsd.edu/library/healthguide/en-us/Cam/topic.asp?hwid=hn-2158004

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This entry was written by Smarty.

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8 Comments

• Smartliving Guest March 3, 2009 at 9:45 AM

  Sage is one of those herbs I always wondered about, as it does not seem to be in most recipes or come in common spice racks. I had no idea that it had so many health benefits, or could be used as a topical poultice. Thanks!

• Diana from SLN September 20, 2011 at 9:33 AM

  Thank you for posting this very informative blog about sage. I think i will start using sage more often.

• kathy October 17, 2011 at 5:47 PM

  My hot flushes were really driving me mad, I was having 5 every hour, I was waking up wet through 3 times every night.A friend told me about Sage, I was not expecting anything dramatic as i had tried the Black Cohosh supplements and they did not make any difference at all. Any how, bought a bottle of 90 capsules of sage supplements, took 2 capsules right there and then i was so desperate, Then took 2 more before bed. Yay, could not believe it, the first time in months that i slept better and only woke once just slightly warm but not drenched in sweat. The next day i went warm just a few times but no where near as bad as i had been, I have been taking the Sage now for 5 days and i feel almost normal again now, So glad i gave them a try , its the best £10.25 i have ever spent.

• Lee March 21, 2012 at 5:26 PM

  I was told about Sage. I took 2 as directed this morning and within hours started to feel high and over relaxed but there are no side effects apparently the only prescribed medication I take is Thyroxine and reflux meds, so why do I feel so bad. I wont take any tonight or for a few days and try again another time to see what happens. If you know wht I felt this way please let me know

• Toni May 16, 2012 at 12:35 PM

  I can vouch for sage. It is a miracle herb,

• julie May 17, 2012 at 3:29 PM

  i am 52 and started taking sage leaf capsules after suffering hot flushes and waking up every night 3 or 4 times for a wee,i thought sage would be a waste of time but it really works and i dont wake up or get any hot flushes anymore,i have been stocking up with the 1p holland and barrett sale but im not sure if i should be taking them long term,i have asked the lady in the shop and she said its fine but i just dont know,i take 2 capsules with breakfast and 2 with my dinner as directed on the bottle.

• nancy June 11, 2012 at 9:48 PM

  I would like to take sage in pill form for my hot flashes what mg do I take and how often to I take it Thank you

• sprouty June 12, 2012 at 9:10 AM

  Found this on naturalstandard.com: "As a memory aid, sage essential oil (25-150 microliters) or sage standardized extract (167-1332 milligrams), have been used. For mood enhancement, dried sage leaf (300 or 600 milligrams) or an essential oil of sage (50 microliters), have been used."
  
  While not exactly talking about menopause symptoms here, it seems the dosing is pretty flexible. Always best to start low and move up as needed.

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