Salvia Officinalis and Alzheimer's Disease

 

Salvia Officinalis (Sage)

• Salvia Officinalis functions in a similar way as some prescriptions medicines used to treat Alzheimer's.

• Studies have shown that supplementation with sage led to improved memory and better cognitive ability in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. 

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Salvia Officinalis & The Brain

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Better known by its common name, sage, Salvia Officinalis has several benefits for mental health. Salvia Officinalis has been shown to reduce inflammation and act as an anti-oxidant. Inflammation and oxidants are both believed to be significant contributors to the damage seen in Alzheimer’s disease.

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Salvia Officinalis inhibits cholinesterase. Cholinesterase is a harmful enzyme that contributes to the brain damage seen in Alzheimer’s disease. Several prescription medicines used to treat Alzheimer’s(donepezil/Aricept & rivastigmine/Exelon) are “cholinesterase inhibitors” and work in a similar fashion to Salvia Officinalis, attempting to inhibit cholinesterase.

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The Evidence, Research & Studies

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Six studies examined the effects of Salvia Officinalis supplementation on healthy individuals and each study found that Salvia Officinalis supplementation led to an increase in memory, mood, or both.

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Two studies examined the effects Salvia Officinalis supplementation on individuals with potential cognitive problems. One study found that Salvia Officinalis supplementation led to a reduction in cognitive problems and an improvement in attention and the other study found that Salvia Officinalis supplementation led to “significantly better cognitive function.” [Sources 7 & 8]