Cur moriatur homo, cui salvia crescit in horto?: “Why should a man die, whilst Sage grows in his garden?” - Salerno medical school 984 A.D.

Introduction

For two years I would experience profuse nocturnal diaphoresis. This would happen mainly during winter period. To give you an idea of how much I sweated: I would sleep with two towels under me and many times the sweat would wake me up in the middle of the night. I enjoy reading about the medical properties of plants and I had many times encountered Sage (Salvia Officinalis), but it never occurred to me to use it as remedy for my own medical ailment. Until I one day watched Dr. Eric Berg’s video “Best remedy for Excess Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)”.

Fun fact: The definition of sage, where the herb got its common name from, is one (such as a profound philosopher) distinguished for wisdom. ^[1]

Observed actions

I started drinking 2 cups of sage tea everyday. On night 3 the sweating was minimal and by the first week I was not sweating at all. Ever since then I have been drinking sage tea on and off and I have not had a problem with profuse nocturnal diaphoresis or hyperhidrosis in general as I tend to sweat a lot. This was the winter of 2018.

Another effect I noticed with drinking Sage tea was that I didn’t have brain fog anymore. This was an expected effect based on the litterature I was reading. ^[2] Now when I am writing about it, it makes me want to get back to drinking sage tea because it helps with attention and focus (decreased brain fog) as well as my general excess sweating.

A second example

I later on recommended this remedy to a friend’s dad of mine who was also experiencing profuse nocturnal diaphoresis. Only after 2-3 nights his sweating was reduced by at least half. He was thankful. His problem, however, had been diagnosed and was because of a brain clot seen on angio-CT after having been tortured.

Ayurvedic view of Sage

In the Yoga of herbs Dr. Vasant Lad and Dr. David Frawley describes sage as having pungent, bitter and astringent qualities. It affects the doshas by decreasing kapha and vata, whilst increasing pitta when taken in excess. It’s main action is for reducing high kapha.^[3]

• KV- P+ (in excess)

In the book they continues to describe sage as having strong action for reducing excess secretions in the body. E.g. sweating, mucous secretions (I use it when having a cold with productive cough), mammary secretions, semenal discharge, bleeding, etc. As well as promoting calmness and clarity of the mind.

As you might have noticed, it’s effect is mainly drying of the body.

One notable Contraindication

The most important contraindication to think of when considering sage is in lactating women. Sage, having a drying effect on the body, will dry the milk of a lactating woman. Meaning, it will thicken the milk.

Ending

Sage is a herb with a rich history. From the ancient egyptians, throughout the middle ages and now our contemporary time with biochemical as well as comparative studies substantiating claims found in historical litterature. This is a herb that is close to my heart as it has done me wonders.