March 02 2009 at 12:23 pm

Sage Leaf: A Natural Menopause Relief Levels Mood Swings

By HelloLife

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Menopause is a natural part of aging. 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 very 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 though 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 to 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.

[sniplet Menopol]

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

3 Comments

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HelloLife Guest
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!
Commented on HelloLife March 03 2009 at 9:45 am
Diana at HelloLife
Thank you for posting this very informative blog about sage. I think i will start using sage more often.
Commented on HelloLife September 20 2011 at 9:33 am
kathy
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.
Commented on HelloLife October 17 2011 at 5:47 pm