Description : It is a member of the family Lamiaceae (Labiatae). The motherland of the plant is Southern Europe. 500 species of Salvias have been determined since now. Approximately 90 of them grow in our country. However, Salvia Officinalis L is the best and the most common for medicinal use. (Medicinal sage is not grown in our country however it can be cultivated as the seeds are obtained). The sage grown in our country and having remedial specialties is Salvia fruticosa (S. triloba) (Anadolu adaçayı, Elma çalbası).

Explanation :

Salvia L. officinalis is a perennial, shrub plant with 50-100 cm height, blue to purplish flowers and simple leaves. The plant has special aroma and it tastes bitter. The leaves of the plant are used for medicinal use. The leaves are oval having 3-8 cm length and 1-4 cm width which are slightly dentate, grayish and hairy in both faces. The leaves are picked in blooming days and second half of September and left to dry in the shade. The dried leaves should be kept in well-closed pockets and without being exposed to light. The plant is also used for obtaining essential oil.

The components of salvia include tannin, bitter substance and essential oil (1-2.5%). 30-50% of essential oil is thuyone, 15% cineole and 10% borneol. Moreover in the analysis it is determined that it includes saponin, diterpene, flavonoids, phenolic acids, resin and estrogenic substances. The aromatic oil the plant contains provides feature for reducing sweating (water retainer), which makes the plant a disinfectant. Thanks to being water retainer it reduces night sweating for the patients with tuberculosis.

The estrogenic specialties of the plant minimize night sweating during menopause period. It eliminates menstrual pain and helps to eliminate menstrual irregularity. It relieves metrodynia thanks to its myorelaxant effects. The grains in the compounds of salvia have astringent characteristic. Therefore it is used in the children against diarrhea. The rozmarin acid in the compounds of the plant eliminates inflammation. The essential oil is stimulus on the digestion and carminative. Salvia also helps muscle relaxation by its antispasmodic effect as many other spices used. In the investigation carried out in Germany, the salvia drunk on an empty stomach lowers the blood glucose. Towards the end of 1920’s salvia was advised as mouthwash against throat ache and mash against the sprain and destension in USA. Relief effect is against nervosity, dizziness, fever, weakened nerve system. It is proved that salvia makes cholinergic neuron destruction and therefore it is cholinergic neuron activity regulator against Alzheimer, in other words it has anti- cholinergic effect (1).

Use in the Industry: It is used commonly in pharmaceutical industry. The infusion of the leaves of salvia is included in the compounds of mouthwash and syrups. Thanks to its aromatic odor it is also commonly used in the cosmetic industry. It is especially used in manufacturing of relaxing bath soap. Recently it is blended with other herbs which have remedial characteristics and introduced into the market as tea.

Use: The plant is commonly used. Its infusion is used against inflammation in throat and nerve weakness. Another method to use is blending it honey and vinegar, which is good for psychological depression, severe colds and some gynecological diseases. It is also used for appetizing and eliminating diarrhea.

50% of the essential oil obtained from Salvia triloba (Salvia fructicosa) the specie of salvia growing in our country with 3% efficiency consists of 1,8 sineol. Known as apple oil, this oil can be consumed by dripping into the water as carminative, gastric, antiperspirant and diuretic. It has relief, gastric, diuretic, sweating, relaxing, antiseptic in mouth and throat, disinfectant effects. The reason why the oil is called ‘apple oil’ the galls of the plant look like apple. (Başer; Kırımer, 2010: 70). Salvia is an important export product for our country.

Points to take into account: It is not appropriate for the kids under 2 years old. The toxic substance thuyone may cause heart-throb. However the toxic effect may cause problem as consumed with alcohol and consumed as oil. There is no harm to consume as tea. There is no thuyone in salvia extract obtained as extraction with compressed gas. However, the cost of the process is quite high (1).

It is prohibited for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Because it reduces galactosis. It can be used for weaning the babies. Long term use may cause trembling like epilepsy. The daily maximum dose is quite important.

Bibliography

1. BAŞER, K. Hüsnü Can; KIRIMER, Neş’ e, Farmakognozi 3, Anadolu University Faculty of Pharmacy Publications, Eskişehir, 2010.
2. BAYTOP, Prof Dr Turhan, Türkiye’ de Bitkilerle Tedavi, Nobel Medical Bookstore, 2. Press, İstanbul, 1999.
3. Ülkemizde Bazı Önemli Orman Tali Ürünlerinin Teşhis ve Tanıtım Kılavuzu, Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Genaral Directorate of Forestry, Ankara, 1987.
4. Çubukçu, Bayhan, et al., Fitoterapi, İstanbul University Press and Publishing Directorate, İstanbul, 2002.

5. BAŞER, K. Hüsnü Can; KIRIMER, Neş’ e, Farmakognozi 2 Uygulamaları El Kitabı, Anadolu University Faculty of Pharmacy Publications, Eskişehir, 2009

6. Avrupa Farmakopesi, 6. Press
7. BAYTOP, Asuman, Farmasötik Botanik, Dilek Printing House, İstanbul, 1983.

Indication : Menopause sweating, menstrual irregularity, throat infections, urinary tract infections, digestion gases, disease with neuron destruction.

Usage :

Preparation: 1 teaspoon salvia is put into a cup of boiling water. It is waited for 5 minutes and then filtered.

Preparation for Mouthwash: Boiling water is poured on 2 teaspoons salvia. It is waited for 15 minutes and then filtered.
Preparation for Mouthwash with essential oil: 2-3 drips of oil is dripped into 100 ml water. 
 

Zeynep Akbey

Anadolu Üniversitesi Eczacılık Fakültesi öğ.

Translated by Nedim Yavuz