Sage oil is an herbal remedy in the form of essential oil extracted from the sage plant, Salvia officinalis, a member of the Labiatae family, which commonly is used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Sage oil is an essential oil that is used primarily as a natural, herbal treatment for a variety of health-related symptoms. Sage oil is created by boiling plant matter to extract the essential qualities of the plant, including the scent of the plant and any naturally occurring elements that can be used beneficially for health or medicine.
This oil has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries to treat various physical ailments. The very name "sage" is derived from the Latin word “salvare,” which means “heal” or “salve.” Most notably, it has been used in China for centuries as a cure for sterility, and the Romans used it for countless symptoms, believing that it was an effective general remedy, much like aspirin is used today.
Those who use sage oil as an herbal remedy apply it in various forms and use it to alleviate a variety of symptoms or ailments. Primary applications for this oil include mixing it with water to be used as a vapor treatment or blending it with olive oil or mineral oil and applied as a salve. It commonly is used as as a natural treatment to aid in digestion or to stimulate the appetite, and it can be beneficial in regulating hormones and correcting menstruation problems in women.
Sage oil has been reported to soothe the pain caused by rheumatism, and it is a natural treatment that can relieve symptoms of menopause, aid the urinary tract and benefit kidney and liver function. Other potential benefits of sage oil include reducing muscle stiffness, particularly in the neck, and improving function of glands. It also has potentially beneficial effects on mood, because it sometimes is used to reduce grief or ease depression.
Although it is a natural, herbal treatment, one should use sage oil with care, as one would any medical treatment. This oil is reported to be toxic in overly frequent doses or doses that are too strong. Many people do not feel that this is adequate reason to not use sage oil at all, but one must exercise caution, as is generally necessary with all essential oils. With care, one can benefit from the therapeutic properties of sage oil without compromising safety.