Sage

Salvia officinalis

 

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Lamiaceae, or mint family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• Sage is native to the Mediterranean rim, predominantly around the Adriatic Sea.  It can now naturalized in in Albania, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, U.K. and U.S. It is produced mainly in the southeastern European countries, the cultivation from northern European countries dates back to medieval times and it was introduced to North America during the seventeenth century.  ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Aerial parts ^[2]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Diaphoretic
• Expectorant
• Nervine
• Astringent
• Alterative
• Diuretic
• Carminative
• Antihydrotic
• Antispasmodic ^[2]
5. Indications:
• Lactation suppression
• Colds, flu
• Sore throat
• Laryngitis
• Swollen lymph glands
• Night sweats
• Spermatorrhea
• Hair loss
• Nervous dysfunction ^[2]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Estrogen; phenolic acids; Rosmarinic acid; flavonoids; resin; saponins; silica; tannins; thujone; volatile oil. ^[1]
7. System Affinities:
• Respiratory, digestive, nervous, circulatory, lymphatic ^[2]  
8. Energetics:
• Pungent, bitter, heating ^[2]
9. Safety:
• Should be avoided in pregnancy for its uterotonic effects, and in lactation for its strong milk-suppressing action. ^[1]
10. Interactions:
• None known. ^[2]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• The dried sage is a pale grey-green, and smells sweet, lemony, and sour.
2. Preparation Method:
• Hot Infusion: 1 tsp of dried herb in 8 oz of boiling water, steep for 10-15 minutes and drink 3-4x/day.
• Capsules: 250-500 mg of dried herb in capsule form.
3. Usage Notes:
• As a tea, the sage scent becomes much stronger. It tastes bitter; just a very strong “herbal” taste. It definitely has a drying effect. I can see why it would be prudent to mix it with another aesthetic herb, like mint, or hibiscus, to make it taste better for a client using sage for lactation suppression.

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2018). Week 11 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-18_MW5122-A Botanicals 2: Postpartum.
2. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.

Tulsi (Holy Basil)... “Queen of the Herbs”

Ocimum sanctum

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Lamiaceae, or mint family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• Tulsi, originating in India, is widely distributed in tropical areas and can be easily found at an altitude of 1800 meters in Himalayan region. Some varieties of tulsi readily grow wild in many areas of Asia and Africa. Named “Queen of the Herbs”, “Mother Medicine of Nature”, “Elixir of Life” or “Incomparable one,” tulsi is known for its religious and spiritual sacredness.  In Ayurveda it is believed to balance mind, spirit and body. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Aerial parts ^[2]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Adaptogen
• Antimicrobial
• Antibacterial
• Antiviral
• Antifungal
• Antiprotozoal
• Antimalarial
• Anthelmintic
• Mosquito repellent
• Anti-diarrheal
• Anti-oxidant
• Anti-cataract
• Anti-inflammatory
• Chemoprotective
• Radioprotective
• Hepato-protective
• Neuro-protective
• Cardio-protective
• Anti-diabetic
• Anti-hypercholesterolemia
• Anti-hypertensive
• Anti-carcinogenic
• Analgesic
• Anti-pyretic
• Anti-allergic
• Immunomodulatory
• Central nervous system depressant
• Memory enhancement
• Anti-asthmatic
• Anti-tussive
• Diaphoretic
• Anti-thyroid
• Anti-fertility
• Anti-ulcer
• Anti-emetic
• Anti-spasmodic
• Anti-arthritis
• Anti-stress
• Anti-leukodermal ^[1]
5. Indications:
• Adaptogenic and neuroprotective in times of stress
• Diabetes - lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels
• For bacterial or protozoal infections
• To increase circulation, ‘cerebral stimulation’; - vascular disease, mental fog, speed recovery of head trauma
• To protect the liver during times of radiation exposure
• GI issues - prevention of gastric ulcers
• During sickness or allergen exposure - enhances antibody production and reduces effects of allergies, hay fever, etc.
• Asthma - helps reduce symptoms
• ADD/ADHD
• Depression
• UTI’s
• Skin infections
• Gonorrhea
• Acne
• HSV
• Anti-fertility ^[1]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Some of the phytochemical constituents of tulsi are oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, eugenol, carvacrol, linalool, β-caryophyllene (about 8%). ^[1]
7. System Affinities:
• All systems! ^[2]  
8. Energetics:
• Pungent, sweet, warm ^[2]
9. Safety:
• May to toxic to embryos (animal studies) and can have anti-fertility effects. ^[2]
10. Interactions:
• May enhance CYP-450 enzyme activity, therefore speeding up the elimination of some medications. ^[2]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• This is a beautiful herb. The dried leaves are dark green, and they smell so fresh and sweet. I can tell they will be a wonderful tea because they smell like green tea with honey.
2. Preparation Method:
• Tincture: (1:5 or 1:2): 40-60 drops, 3x/day.
• Tea: 1 tsp. dried leaf to 8 oz hot water, steep covered for 5-10 mins, drink 3x/day.
3. Usage Notes:
• I have been drinking a tulsi-rose tea blend for the last year or so, and it is my favorite tea in the world. I never buy anything else now! While the I prefer the floral hints of rose, I brewed a batch of tulsi alone. It is still wonderfully soothing, and sweet. I felt all the calming (and energizing at the same time) effects I would expect from the Queen of the Herbs.

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2018). Week 11 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-18_MW5122-A Botanicals 2: Postpartum.
2. Winston, D. & Maimes, S. (2007). Adaptogens: herbs for strength, stamina, and stress relief. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press.