The memory of a sage

Herbal folklore cites sage as being the herb of choice for promoting memory. While it has been taken in the form of teas and tinctures from as early as the 1500s, now it seems that researchers at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in England have begun to accumulate the vital data that will bring this ancient remedy some scientific credibility.

Healthy volunteers were given either standardized essential oil extract of sage or placebo (similar capsules without sage) and put their memories to the test in a series of standardized exercises. The group receiving the sage extract showed significantly better memory test scores than the group that did not take the sage.

While the British researchers cannot yet say what it is about this ancient herb that improves memory, it is known that properties of sage include antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects.

Interestingly, these effects are also attained by medications used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Research is already underway to investigate whether there is scope for the use of sage in the treatment of memory loss associated with dementias such as Alzheimer's disease.

One thing seems certain, in at least one way sage tea is a little like the ancient remedy for the common cold, chicken soup: while we can't say for sure that it will help, it sure can't hurt!