Spanish Sage

Botanical Classification:

• Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family).
• Genus: Salvia
• Species: Salvia Lavandulaefolia (Vahl)

Description:

• evergreen perennial herb;
• small herb: grows 30-80cm tall;
• leaves: lanceolate; arrangement is opposite and in whorls; grey-green; bearing fragrant oils;
• flowers: short inflorescences; pale lavender in color.

Distribution:

• Spain and Southern France: commonly found in sunny positions in rocky mountain soil.
• Cultivated widely in gardens throughout the world.

Traditional Use of the Spanish Sage:

• aromatic: fragrant potpourris, shampoos, lotions;
• culinary: seasoning in soups and dishes;
• decorative;
• cosmetic: anti-perspirant, scenting soaps;
• medicinal: antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal, astringent, antispasmodic, to enhance memory, tonic.

Properties:

• an hypoglycemic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• anti-oxidant;
• Acetylcholine esterase inhibitor: it thus facilitates memory. See also Turmeric Extract.
• Estrogenic;

Scientific Data on the Constituents of Spanish Sage:

• Botanical Name: Salvia Lavandulaefolia (Vahl);
• Some Constituents: Rosmarinic Acid, alpha-Thujone, beta-Thujone, Camphor, Cineole, Borneol, Carnosol, Limonene, Camphene, alpha-Pinene, beta-Pinene, Linalool and Linalyl Acetate.
• Extraction of Spanish Sage oil: by steam distillation resulting in an average yield of 2.2%.

New Research

Article 1: Spanish Sage and Memory.
In two trials of Salvia Lavandulaefolia involving 20 and 24 participants taking different amounts of the oil extract, researchers concluded that: "The 50 microl dose of Salvia essential oil significantly improved immediate word recall in both studies. These results represent the first systematic evidence that Salvia is capable of acute modulation of cognition in healthy young adults."
Source: PubMed ID: 12895685 (Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2003)

Article 2: Salvia Lavandulaefolia and Cognitive Performance.
"The essential oil was a potent inhibitor of human acetylcholinesterase ... and consisted almost exclusively of monoterpenoids. Oral consumption lead to improved performance of secondary memory and attention tasks ... and reduced mental fatigue and increased alertness ..."
Source: PubMed ID: 20937617 (Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2011)

Article 3: Salvia Lavandulaefolia and Alzheimer's Disease
In an in vitro study the researchers concluded: "These results demonstrate that S. lavandulaefolia, its essential oil and some chemical constituents have properties relevant to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and provide further data supporting the value of carrying out clinical studies in patients with Alzheimer's disease using this plant species."
Source: PubMed ID: 11697542 (London, 2001)

Article 4: Spanish Sage and Alzheimer's Disease.
"... In this study the effects of Salvia lavandulaefolia Vahl. (Spanish sage) essential oil and some of its constituent terpenes on human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase were examined in-vitro. ... These findings suggest that if the inhibitory activity of the essential oil is primarily due to the main inhibitory terpenoid constituents identified, there is a major synergistic effect among the constituents."
Source: PubMed ID: 10933142 (London, 2000)

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