Have you ever wondered why a wise person is sometimes called a “sage,” or why good advice is described as “sage”? It’s all because of a common culinary herb with uncommon health benefits.
Sage is renowned for boosting the brain, but this amazing herb also contains an unusually large number of Foundation Supplements.
Savory Sage: a Treasure Trove of Bone-Healthy Nutrients and More
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is known for its dusty, spicy fragrance and its use in many culinary dishes, especially stuffing, soups, and more.
What’s more, this alkalizing Mediterranean herb has been prized for centuries for its ability to stave off disease, lift sad moods, and enhance the mind.
As mentioned earlier, sage also contains no less than 11 Foundation Supplements (nutrients essential for bone health as outlined in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program), and it also provides an astounding number of health benefits.
Here are some of the bone-healthy nutrients you’ll find in sage:
- Vitamin C*
- Potassium
- Zinc*
- Manganese*
- Magnesium*
- Copper*
- B Vitamins, including B9* (folic acid), B1* (thiamin), B6* (pyridoxine), and B2* (riboflavin)
- Vitamin K*
- Vitamin A
- Calcium* – 1 teaspoon of ground sage has 10 milligrams of this bone-building mineral.
*Foundation Supplement
Growing, Storing, and Using Sage
Sage is not difficult to grow in a sunny area with well-drained soil. It does well in containers, too, if you don’t have garden space for it. If you buy fresh, cut sage in the store, look for fresh leaves and stems that are not wilted, blemished, or moldy. Store fresh sage in a zip-top bag in the refrigerator.
Dried sage is fine, too, preferably organic. It should be kept in an air-tight container in a cool, dark place so it can retain its flavor. Remember that dried herbs are more concentrated, so you need a smaller amount.
There are various ways to enjoy sage. The following recipe is for a delicious, chilled tomato-based soup with alkalizing vegetables, perfect for a hot summer day.
Chilled Tomato Soup with Sage
First, you’ll need to make fresh tomato sauce, which is the base for the soup.
Ingredients for Tomato Sauce:
- 2 pounds fresh, ripe tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
Coarsely chop the tomatoes into a heavy saucepan dish and stir in the salt and olive oil. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer gently for 25 minutes. You can simmer it longer if it seems too thin. Then simply puree the mixture in a blender.
Now you’re ready to make the soup.
Ingredients for Tomato Soup with Sage:
- 3 cups homemade tomato sauce
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- ¼ pound fresh green beans, cut into small pieces
- 1 medium onion, sliced thinly
- 4 large sage leaves, minced
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 ¾ cups water
- Sea salt to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
Directions:
In a heavy saucepan, sauté the beans, onion, and zucchini in olive oil. Stir in the garlic and lemon zest; sauté for about 4 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and water, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in the sage and simmer for a few minutes more; then remove from heat. Cool soup to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator and serve cold. Makes 3 to 4 servings.
When you enjoy this wonderful soup, you’re nourishing your bones with all the healthy ingredients, including sage. But sage does more than just benefit your bones. In fact,
Sage Has Many Healthy Properties
Here are just some of them:
- Wards off colds and flu (you can steep it as a warming, immune-boosting tea in the wintertime)
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antiseptic (tea can be used as a wound wash)
- Improves mood and lifts depression
- Promotes cardiovascular health by relaxing the vascular system
- Enhances concentration and attention span
- Improves memory
This last point about sage – that it improves memory – is one of the most remarkable features of this herb. In fact, studies have shown that sage is an effective deterrent to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Amazingly, sage has even been shown to improve the cognitive function in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s.
As we’ll soon see, there are sound physiological and scientific reasons for why wise people are called “sages.” At least 3 studies show clearly that…
Scientifically Proven: Sage Improves Memory and Cognitive Function
Twenty-first century research confirms what herbalists have been saying about sage for centuries. In one study, British researchers gave sage oil (Salvia lavandulaefolia) capsules or a placebo to adults age 18 to 37 years, and observed that participants who had taken the sage oil consistently performed better on memory tests.1
In another similar study, older, healthy participants aged 65 to 90 years were given an extract of the more common variety of sage, Salvia officinalis, or a placebo. Those given sage showed “significant enhancement of secondary memory performance at all testing times. …There also were significant improvements to accuracy of attention following the 333-mg dose.”2
Still another study illustrates that sage can improve the cognitive function in those with Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, which lasted 4 months, participants were aged 65 to 80 and had received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. They were given a placebo or an extract of S. officinalis. Those who took the sage showed marked improvement in cognition. “The results of this study indicate the efficacy of S. officinalis extract in the management of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease,”2 the study observes.
In addition, no side effects were observed among the participants. This is a stark contrast to the side effects that come with conventional Alzheimer’s drugs, many of which (ironically) mimic the disease itself, such as depression and confusion.
In addition to incorporating sage into your diet, another important thing to do is avoid aluminum foil. Aluminum has been implicated strongly in Alzheimer’s, and autopsies have revealed alarming quantities of aluminum in the brains of Alzheimer’s sufferers.
Here’s to strong bones and sharp minds!
References
1 N.T.J. Tildesley, et al. “Salvia lavandulaefolia (Spanish Sage) enhances memory in healthy, young volunteers.” Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. 75 (2003) 669-674. Web. (find site)
2 Scholey, B. Andrew, et al. “An extract of Salvia (sage) with anticholinesterase properties improves memory and attention in healthy older volunteers.” Psychopharmacology. (2008) 198:127-139. DOI 10.1007/s00213-008-1101-3. Web.
3 Akhondzadeh, S., et al. “Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial.” Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 2003 Feb; 28(1):53-9. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12605619
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3 Studies That Will Convince You To Follow A Ph-Balanced Diet To Heal Your Bones
Save Our Bones Bulletin: Second Largest US Physician Group Still Serving Big Pharma; New Osteoporosis Drug In The Works; Almonds Show Exercise-Related Benefits
All About Amaranth, A Bone-Healthy Ancient GrainComments on this article are closed.
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Ruth, please send us an e-mail with your request to support@saveourbones.com, or click on the smiley face icon at the top of the page. We’ll be glad to connect you again. 🙂
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Fried some fresh sage and add as a decoration to any food. It’s so good! I learned in a cooking channel
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dear Vivian, thank you so much for your timely information for saving our bones. Here is my question, Can you use the sage flowers as well? Thank you
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DEAR VIVIAN., I AM VERY PROUD TO BE ON A CONSTANT CONTACT WITH YOU., YOUR REPORTS ARE VERY UNIQUE.,
MYSELF AND MY WIFE ROULLA WISHING., PROSPERITY.,HEALTH AND HAPPYNESS.
REGARDS/GEORGE
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Thank you for your kind words, George! All my best to you and your wife.
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It’s delicious, I never tried sage before.
A cold soup is a good idea in the summertime.
Thanks for the recipe ! -
Hi Vivian, I take True Osteo for osteoporosis which you recommended but i was told STRONTIUM was better for the bones. What do think. I look forward to your advice. Kind regards Mylene.
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Hi Again Vivian,
I’ve Told You In Other E-Mails That I Am Highly Allergic To Certain Spices.
They Are: Cilantro, Coriander, Tarragon, Ginger, And Curry.
Now My Question To You Is: Can You Use Alternate Spices To Replace Those In Any Recipe, And Supplements Like The Vitamin D3 That You Recommended, And Still Get The Same, Or Close To The Same Benefits?
Please Let Me Know As Soon As Possible. And I Thank You Very Much, In Advance, For Everything!ALL THE BEST TO YOU, AND YOUR FAMILY
LOVE, LESLIE (MS. L. CARMEL) -
Hi! Vivian,
I’m Going To Order ‘AWAKENING FROM ALZHEIMER’S”, As Soon As I Talk To My Mom. Because I’m Still Paying Off My Debts; And I’ll Have To Get Her To Finance It For Me!
Thank You So Very Much Again For All Your Very Helpful Articles. You Are
A Wonderful, And Very Caring Person.ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,
LOVE, LESLIE (MS. L. CARMEL) -
Suffer from kidney disease? aussie naturopath tells all – how his patients avoid dialysis
click over here now https://twitter.com/soniaw17/status/353268126143623168 -
I appreciate this information!
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I am fascinated by all you articles. You are a star. I love your above article, but like in so many articles of this kind, there is no mention of how much you should eat for it to do you any good. An oz a day? 20lbs a day? Please tell us.
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Researchers are still determining the optimal amount, Sue! From the studies, you can see that scientists are trying various dosages and have found success with varying amounts and types of sage. My recommendation is to use lots of fresh and dried sage in your recipes! 🙂
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Just wanted to add that Sage is also sold in health food stores
for hot flashes. -
Hi: I am very courious is sage and salvia the same thing. I have heard some people use salvia as a drug.
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Carole, the scientific name for sage is Salvia officinalis. 🙂
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Thanks Vivian,
I must plant some more sage and use it! Your messages are so inspiring
and cant wait to make some soup with sage. As for the the sage and sharp
minds, must work on that one too.
Many blessings to you
Brenda G. Australia. -
Easy way to get in herbs and spices: Make an olive oil dip. I throw in the spice pantry. If its green it’s in it. Even if it’s not green it’s in it. The best tasting olive oil for spice dips is blood orange olive oil. So tasty. Warning: it’s hard to stop eating this dip.
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Hi Vivian . Is there any other soup I can make with the Sage. I can not eat much tomatoes , for very bad Acid Reflux Greetings, Jana
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Jana, sage can be added to a variety of dishes! Go ahead and experiment and don’t be afraid to get creative. 🙂
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Have you ever put sage in your cream of chick. soup? Add black pepper, some corn, simmer, and serve with cheese quesadillas….
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Fascinating! It inspired me to buy some at the market today and I look forward to using it.
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Oh yeah, I forgot: you put it in Meat Loaf! Mine is the best meat loaf in the world! If you season your meat loaf right you won’t ever be able to eat the bland kind after that.
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Love sage, especially in stewed chicken with dumplings, carrots, celery. Love it in southwest cooking, goes well with Ortega chilis. Fun to grow and I’ve even eaten it in the wild. Don’t want to recommend that, but we use to pick it as kids, make tea out of it. It also makes popourie, has a pungent smell, will drive out insects, pests. Just enjoy it and you will notice a craving for it,, especially in the fall. Dry it out, crumble it up, put it in a snack bag, and use it in biscuits and soup.
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Thanks again for the article. Would love to use sage more in my diet but I have an intolerance to it, as well as some other foods, herbs etc. Will check out the Alzheimers’ article.
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Sounds the same as rosemary, with all its wonderful qualities. What’s your opinion?
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Karen, you’re right on – both sage and rosemary contain a polyphenol called rosmarinic acid. 🙂
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When making the tomato sauce, when do you add the olive oil? The recipe does not specify.
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Thank you, Vivian
Shula
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I have always used sage in stuffings and vege meatloaf as a seasoning. Vege burgers as well. However, I was always told, “You should not use sage if you are nursing until you are ready to quit as it helps to dry up your milk.” So don’t serve to family members who are nursing.
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“Sage” advice, Sandra! 🙂
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Thank you Vivian, for your emails. I learn so much and look forward to reading them!
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Very interesting! I especially appreciate the choice of READING the info regarding “Awakening From Alzheimer’s” rather than having it – slowly – read to me on the screen. Videos on-line drive me nuts!
Someone here posted that sage can be used by people to reduce excessive perspiration. How?
Lots of good information here.-
No idea how it works, but I use a sage spray-on deodorant made by Weleda. I play a lot of sport in a hot humid country, so I perspire quite a lot and this is one of the few deodorants that I’ve been entirely happy with.
Ruth
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Many times when making a casserole dish which goes into the oven, I put
a sheet of aluminum foil on top to cover it. Does this mean that this could
be a cause of dementia down the road? Many dishes that go into the oven
do not have lids, so how would one go about covering the dish without the
foil???-
Mary, here’s a suggestion: why not put a layer of parchment paper over the food first, and then cover it with the foil? That way the food is protected from the aluminum. 🙂
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That’s a great idea. I use parchment all the time. Thank you
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Thank you for the info on sage. A few years ago I bought a pot of pineapple sage at a fete, but don’t know any uses or recipes for it. I believe it can be used in sweets or desserts, but would like some ideas.
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Great timing! I grow my own sage and just harvested some leaves yesterday to dry them for this winter. I love growing what I can because I know it’s organic. Good reminder about the aluminum foil. I have to honestly say I have never had cold soup. I have a hard time getting my brain around that but it sounds good and I really was looking for a good tomato sauce recipe. If you happen to know off hand, how much would 333 mgs be in cooking measurements? I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all of this information. Thanks for all your hard work.
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Thanks for this wondeful series. This gives me great assurance of hope. I am a mother who has a dementia parent.since I came across this, I have have been looking out for it but have not gotten. Is there a way u can help me recognise this leaf or even get it. Thank you
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Favour, you should be able to find fresh and dried sage in your local supermarket or grocery store. Dried sage is usually in with the spices, and fresh is usually in the produce section. It’s likely to be labeled quite clearly so you won’t have to guess. 🙂 You can also go to a garden center and get a sage plant!
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Cold soup is very refreshing in the summertime. 🙂 Here is a site that might help with the metric conversion:
https://www.metric-conversions.org/weight/milligrams-conversion.htm
I found that in a Google search – I am sure there are others if that one doesn’t work for you!
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Hi Vivian
I have been trying to find out about spirulina and other aglaes, as I found this under side effects of spirulina
•Where there is an existing oestrogen deficiency, can lead to a decrease in bone mineral density
on an online sales area of superfoods. I contacted them and even one of the helpful reps couldn’t get to the bottom of it, but I wanted to pass it on and will mae more enquiries, but wondered if you might be able to find out more, as I assumed that this would be a good guy in bone density issue.
Positive regards
Jane -
Hi Vivian,
I enjoy your newsletters so much. Another advantage of sage is that
it combats severe perspiration…. for those who perspire a lot. -
Very interesting article as usual, thank you Doctor. As for the ingredients for your tomato soup, I would advise you to leave out the beans & zucchini. Apart from the added vitamins, these two items don’t improve the soup taste. However, I would add carrots and celery sticks instead. Remove the celery before mixing the soup. Few leaves of basilicum would also improve the taste greatly.
Serve with garlic or mixed herb bread and cheese (optional)with a little touch of single cream.Enjoy…
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I find your health articles helpful and clearly inspiring. Thank you for your sincere desire to help others. I invested in the water distiller and clean the carafe with white vinegar after each use.
A great little machine.-
I appreciate that so much, Cora. Part of building strong bones is feeling inspired and motivated! I am also glad to hear you’re enjoying your Waterwise distiller. It is a “great little machine” as you say!
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Thankyou Vivian, that’s wonderful news, i must add some sage to my garden again, i used to grow & eat it many years ago, but have not had any since I moved from that home to where i am now.
Funnily i was only looking at some in a garden centre just a few weeks ago & wondered if it actually had any benefits or not.-
Interesting about the timing, Pearl! I hope you’ll get some of this amazing herb for your garden soon. 🙂
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I have lost contact with the lady In your team who used to answer any questions I had. Is it possible for her to make contact again, please?
Thank you.