AYURVEDIC FOODS

Sage Benefits (According to Ayurveda)

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Culinary sage, although a diaphoretic, has an anhidrotic action - it prevents excessive sweating. This is useful in night sweats of all kinds - from chronic febrile conditions to menopausal syndrome.

Culinary sage stimulates the pituitary adrenal and gonadal axes, ultimately having an adrenal tonic and estrogenic action.

It has moderate toxicity due to thujone content.

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Is Sage Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Sage' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

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AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.
SERVING SIZE: 1/2 tsp
SPECIES: Salvia officinalis
FAMILY: Lamiaceae

EAT IN: SPRING

Metabolic Nature of Sage

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
INCREASES
Guna Help

Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas)

Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.

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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

TASTES
Taste Help

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes, laxative, and drying.

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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

DOSHAS
Dosha Help

The Three Doshas / Body Types

According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.

The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta aggravating Vata aggravating
HAS THE FOLLOWING
Subtaste:
Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS


Moves Energy:
Upward

UPWARD

Upward-moving substances (Urdvha Gati Marga) include anything stimulating or activating, or that move upward in the body.

SEE ALL 'UPWARD' FOODS / HERBS


Affinity:
Energy Vitality

ENERGY-VITALITY

Includes vitality improving foods, herbs, and exercises by dosha.

SEE ALL 'ENERGY-VITALITY' FOODS / HERBS


Family: Lamiaceae
HERBAL ACTIONS
(see all)

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Sage
Help
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

Appetizer

APPETIZER

Herbs that cleanse the palate & stimulate hunger or desire to eat.

SEE ALL 'APPETIZER' FOODS / HERBS

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Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.

SEE ALL 'BURNS-TOXINS' FOODS / HERBS

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Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Neuroprotective

STRONG NEUROPROTECTIVE

Repairs / restores damaged nerves. Protects nerve health.

SEE ALL 'NEUROPROTECTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Antidepressant

ANTIDEPRESSANT

Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function.

SEE ALL 'ANTIDEPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

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Cholinergic

CHOLINERGIC

Increases acetylcholine production or uptake, improving nerve health, memory, mood, coordination, and protecting neurons.

SEE ALL 'CHOLINERGIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Nerve Growth Tonic

NERVE-GROWTH-TONIC

Stimulate neurite / axon growth, promotes regeneration.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-GROWTH-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

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Adrenal Tonic

ADRENAL-TONIC

Strengthens, supports, or increases output of adrenals.

SEE ALL 'ADRENAL-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Reduces Sweating

REDUCES-SWEATING

Suppresses sweating, often by cooling the metabolism, reducing blood flow to the skin, or closing pores.

SEE ALL 'REDUCES-SWEATING' FOODS / HERBS

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Vulnerary

VULNERARY

An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic).

SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS

Bronchodilator

BRONCHODILATOR

An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma.

SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

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Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.

SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' FOODS / HERBS

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Expectorant

EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

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Mucolytic

MUCOLYTIC

An herb that breaks apart mucus, liquefying the mucus.

SEE ALL 'MUCOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Antipyretic

ANTIPYRETIC

Reduces a fever / febrifuge.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPYRETIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Antiseptic

ANTISEPTIC

Capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. Helpful in infections and for those with weak immune systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTISEPTIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Immune Calming

IMMUNE-CALMING

Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-CALMING' FOODS / HERBS

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Immune Stimulant

IMMUNE-STIMULANT

Stimulates and strengthens the immune system. Helpful when fighting off a cold or flu.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Hypertensive

HYPERTENSIVE

An herb that increases blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'HYPERTENSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Reduces Secretions

REDUCES-SECRETIONS

Stops discharges & secretions (examples include sweat, vaginal discharge, diarrhea, urinary, nasal, etc). Commonly astringent or cooling remedies.

SEE ALL 'REDUCES-SECRETIONS' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Prolactin

ANTI-PROLACTIN

Reduces prolactin, a female hormone that suppresses the uterus, fertility, menstruation.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-PROLACTIN' FOODS / HERBS

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Emmenagogue

EMMENAGOGUE

Herbs which stimulate menstruation. Emmenagogues are used for scanty menstruation, to relieve menstrual pain, and improve blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.

SEE ALL 'EMMENAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

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Estrogenic

ESTROGENIC

Increases estrogen, helpful in menopause. Estrogen is anabolic and increases muscle growth, bone density, and moisture.

SEE ALL 'ESTROGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Relaxant Parturient

RELAXANT-PARTURIENT

Used when labor is stalled due to irregular, colicky or spasmodic contractions (hypertonic). Ensures full dilation of cervix.

SEE ALL 'RELAXANT-PARTURIENT' FOODS / HERBS

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Stimulant Parturient

STIMULANT-PARTURIENT

Used to induce labor when labor is stalled due to weak or ineffective contractions. Includes both stimulants and oxytocic parturients.

SEE ALL 'STIMULANT-PARTURIENT' FOODS / HERBS

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Uterine Stimulant

UTERINE-STIMULANT

Causes contractions in the uterus often by stimulating production of oxytocin. These herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy.

SEE ALL 'UTERINE-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Rosmarinic Acid

ROSMARINIC-ACID

Inhibits autoantibodies from binding to TSH receptors in the thyroid.

SEE ALL 'ROSMARINIC-ACID' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Sage

Rosemary

Rosemary has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Hypertensive, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Antidepressant, Cholinergic, Digestive, Immune-calming, Neuroprotective, Bronchodilator, Decongestant, Emmenagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Thyme (fresh)

Thyme (fresh) has these Actions in Common

Spleen-tonic, Appetizer, Decongestant, Expectorant, Mucolytic, Stimulates-energy, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Immune-calming, Nervine, Vulnerary, Anti-prolactin, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Mustard

Mustard has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Antiseptic, Decongestant, Emmenagogue, Spleen-tonic, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

Antiseptic, Decongestant, Emmenagogue, Spleen-tonic, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Fennel Seeds

Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

Decongestant, Expectorant, Nervine, Vulnerary, Appetizer, Digestive, Immune-calming, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Estrogenic, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic

LEARN MORE

Basil

Basil has these Actions in Common

Antidepressant, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Immune-stimulant, Spleen-tonic, Appetizer, Decongestant, Hypertensive, Internal-detoxicant, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Immune-calming, Nervine

LEARN MORE

Fenugreek

Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

Antipyretic, Digestive, Expectorant, Spleen-tonic, Vulnerary, Burns-toxins, Emmenagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Diaphoretic, Estrogenic, Nervine, Uterine-stimulant

LEARN MORE

Cardamom

Cardamom has these Actions in Common

Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Nervine, Appetizer, Decongestant, Expectorant, Spleen-tonic, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Mint

Mint has these Actions in Common

Anti-prolactin, Burns-toxins, Immune-calming, Spleen-tonic, Antidepressant, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Appetizer, Digestive, Nervine

LEARN MORE

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

Decongestant, Emmenagogue, Mucolytic, Appetizer, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Sage

Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz

Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz has these Actions in Common

Anti-prolactin, Immune-calming, Appetizer, Internal-detoxicant, Bronchodilator, Mucolytic, Burns-toxins, Nervine, Decongestant, Spleen-tonic, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Digestive, Vulnerary, Expectorant

LEARN MORE

Dong Quai

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Emmenagogue, Uterine-stimulant, Estrogenic, Expectorant, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-prolactin, Nervine, Bronchodilator, Stimulant-parturient

LEARN MORE

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Adrenal-tonic, Expectorant, Antidepressant, Immune-calming, Appetizer, Internal-detoxicant, Bronchodilator, Nervine, Burns-toxins, Stimulates-energy, Decongestant

LEARN MORE

Goldenseal

Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

Immune-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Antipyretic, Mucolytic, Antiseptic, Reduces-secretions, Burns-toxins, Uterine-stimulant, Decongestant, Vulnerary, Digestive, Hypertensive

LEARN MORE

Angelica

Angelica has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Immune-stimulant, Bronchodilator, Nervine, Decongestant, Stimulant-parturient, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Digestive, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Immune-calming

LEARN MORE

Hyssop Powder

Hyssop Powder has these Actions in Common

Expectorant, Hypertensive, Internal-detoxicant, Mucolytic, Antidepressant, Nervine, Antiseptic, Stimulates-energy, Bronchodilator, Vulnerary, Diaphoretic

LEARN MORE

Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Digestive, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Internal-detoxicant, Appetizer, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Echinacea

Echinacea has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Immune-stimulant, Analgesic, Internal-detoxicant, Antipyretic, Mucolytic, Antiseptic, Vulnerary, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Diaphoretic

LEARN MORE

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm has these Actions in Common

Cholinergic, Diaphoretic, Immune-calming, Nerve-growth-tonic, Nervine, Analgesic, Neuroprotective, Anti-prolactin, Relaxant-parturient, Antidepressant, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Elecampane

Elecampane has these Actions in Common

Expectorant, Immune-stimulant, Analgesic, Neuroprotective, Antiseptic, Stimulant-parturient, Bronchodilator, Stimulates-energy, Cholinergic, Diaphoretic, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Schisandra

Schisandra has these Actions in Common

Nerve-growth-tonic, Neuroprotective, Reduces-secretions, Adrenal-tonic, Stimulant-parturient, Antidepressant, Stimulates-energy, Digestive, Uterine-stimulant, Emmenagogue, Immune-calming

LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Sage may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Sage may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

HOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?

Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.

Clinical Tools & Resources

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About John Joseph Immel

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.

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