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| The essential oil made by steam-distilling the leaves is a valuable remedy for arthritis, rheumatism, and muscular aches and pains. Use 10 drops of rosemary oil to a teaspoon of almond oil as a massage oil for aches and pain. A few drops added to the rinse water after shampooing will help clear dandruff and improve hair quality. |
| Sage (Salvia Officinalis) |
| Sage, an herb that is traditionally associated with longevity, is known to contain powerful antioxidants that can in fact combat cellular aging. It is also rich in estrogen so could almost be regarded as an early and very gentle form of hormone replacement therapy. |
| Description: An evergreen shrub, much branched, with velvety gray-green pointed leaves and flower spikes of blue or pink flowers in summer. Herbalists traditionally prefer the red sage (S. officinalis Purpurescens group), which has red leaves, but both varieties are equally suitable for medicinal use. |
| Parts used: Leaves, essential oil. |
| Actions: Leaves: antispasmodic, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, healing to mucosa, cholagogue, lowers blood sugar levels, peripheral vasodilator, suppresses perspiration, reduces salivation and lactation, uterine stimulant, systemically antibiotic; essential oil: antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, hypertensive, stimulant, emmenagogue, antioxidant. |
| Uses: Sage dries up body fluids, which combined with its hormonal action, makes it ideal for relieving night sweats during menopause and for drying up milk in lactating mothers on weaning. The plant has an affinity with the throat and makes an excellent gargle and mouth wash for minor infections and inflammations. Use a standard infusion of 2 teaspoons of herb to a cup of water, and allow to cool before straining the mix and gargling. The same tea is ideal for indigestion. Drink a cup regularly as a tonic to combat the effects of old age. |
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