September 3, 2003 – Modern scientists recently rediscovered what herbalists have known since at least the XVIe century: sage seems to improve the memory of those who take it.
British researchers in fact asked 44 young volunteers to take either a placebo or capsules containing sage oil. When they were then subjected to a memorization test, participants who took sage performed better than the control group. The results are published in the current edition of the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior1.
Scientists are now conducting a new experiment to test whether sage can benefit patients with severe cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease. A study published in February 2003 concluded that sage was effective in treating mild and moderate cases of this disease.2.
The exact nature of the effect of sage remains unclear, but a previous laboratory experiment found that the herb appears to protect a substance destroyed by Alzheimer’s disease.3.
Other researchers believe that sage oil has properties that are antioxidant, estrogenic, and anti-inflammatory, all of which are believed to be important in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
The positive impact of sage on intellectual abilities in general, and memory in particular, was first documented in 1597.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to Reuters, WebMD and drkoop.com; August 29, 2003.
1. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior. 2003; 75: 669-674.
2. Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M. Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther 2003 Feb; 28 (1): 53-9.
3. Perry NS, Houghton PJ, Sampson J, Theobald AE, Hart S, Lis-Balchin M, Hoult JR, Evans P, Jenner P, Milligan S, Perry EK. In-vitro activity of S. lavandulaefolia (Spanish sage) relevant to treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. J Pharm Pharmacol 2001 Oct; 53 (10): 1347-56.
