Sage - Application, Properties, Contraindications, Calorie Content

The ratio of BJU in the product

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The sage genus has about 700-900 species and subspecies of herbaceous and woody plants.

The most common and well-known types of sage are:

• Gold;
• Muscat;
• Drug;
• Ordinary;
• Green;
• Lugovoi;
• Lavender.

Sage shrubs grow up to 120 cm in height and have irregular or wrinkled fluffy, gray-green or white-green oval leaves. Sage flowers, depending on the variety, can be purple, white or red. The fruits of the plant are small, 2.5 mm in diameter, brown nuts.

Sage contains:

• Essential oils (thujone, borneol, cineole, camphene, humulene, pinene, etc.);
• Saponins;
• Flavonoids;
• Diterpene alkaloids;
• Triterpenoids;
• Calcium oxalate;
• Phosphoric acid;
• Resins;
• Estrogen;
• Phytosterols;
• Salt;
• Minerals (calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, etc.);
• Vitamins A and C;
• Riboflavin;
• Niacin.

Sage application

Sage is widely used in cooking, where it has been used as a spice and spice since the end of the 17th century. As a seasoning, sage goes well with meat and poultry dishes, fish, apples, tomatoes, eggs and cheese.

In Italy, dried sage is added to pizza and macaroni and cheese, while in France it is sprinkled with toasted bread with garlic and olive oil. Sage is also added to homemade minced meat, pâtés and sausages, vegetable soups, salads, tomato sauces and pastes, omelets, breads, legumes and desserts.

Small amounts of sage leaves are added to salads, tea, meat, stews, fish and various fillings. You can also freeze the sage leaf infusion in ice cubes for soft drinks.

Dried sage can be stored for up to 6 months in a glass container, while fresh, if stored properly, sage leaves will retain their beneficial properties and aroma for up to 2 weeks.

In America, sage has long been used to flavor a traditional turkey on Thanksgiving Day, and in medieval Europe, sage tea was considered the best way to strengthen memory.

In medicine, the use of sage became popular at the end of the 19th century, but long before that, this plant was considered a cure for all types of diseases. On its basis, at home, you can make an effective remedy for relieving sore throat and eliminating infections of the oral cavity.

Clary sage elixirs relieve stress and depression, relieve colds, remove bad breath and improve digestion. Essential oils from medicinal sage are used as cough balms for rubbing.

Ointments based on medicinal sage have antiseptic properties and are used for cuts and wounds. Using sage as a hair rinse helps restore natural color and reduce hair loss.

In cosmetology, sage is used as a fragrance in the production of soap and cosmetics.

Useful properties of sage

Sage is a source of vitamin A, calcium, iron and potassium, which are especially important for maintaining healthy teeth, bones and skin.

Medicinal sage preparations are used in the treatment of diabetes, gynecological diseases and allergies, herpes, diarrhea, gastritis, heartburn, as well as loss of appetite, gingivitis, flatulence, Alzheimer's disease, memory loss and to reduce hot flashes during menopause.

The beneficial properties of sage also include the presence of antioxidants in it, which protect the cells of the body from damage due to oxidation, which can lead to the formation of cancer cells.

Contraindications

Long-term use of sage in high doses is unsafe. Some types of sage contain a poisonous substance called thujone, which can build up in the body. This chemical can cause seizures and damage to the liver and nervous system.

Pregnancy and lactation are contraindications for sage, as the use of thujone can cause milk loss and lead to termination of pregnancy.

In case of hypertension, sage should be avoided, as this plant increases blood pressure.

Sage is also contraindicated in epilepsy, as thujone can cause seizures. Do not combine sage with diabetes medications, as this mixture can seriously lower blood sugar levels.

The use of warfarin and other anticoagulants is a contraindication to sage, since the coumarin, which is part of the plant, when combined with these medicines, can cause bleeding.

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