Evidence supporting the use of: Sage
For the health condition: Colds (with fever)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Sage (Salvia officinalis) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for the treatment of colds, especially those accompanied by fever. In European herbalism, sage has been valued for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and astringent properties, and is commonly used as an infusion or gargle for sore throats and upper respiratory symptoms. The use of sage for colds with fever can be traced back to medieval times, where it was a staple in herbal remedies for various febrile illnesses and respiratory infections. The rationale behind its traditional use lies in its content of essential oils (such as thujone and cineole), flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which are believed to have mild antiseptic and soothing effects.

Despite these longstanding traditional uses, the scientific evidence supporting sage as a treatment for colds with fever is limited. Some laboratory studies have shown that sage extracts possess antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria and viruses, and may have mild anti-inflammatory effects. However, well-designed clinical trials in humans specifically evaluating the efficacy of sage for colds with fever are lacking. Most modern research focuses on its topical use for sore throat rather than systemic symptoms like fever. As such, while sage continues to be used in folk medicine for this purpose, its effectiveness remains primarily supported by tradition rather than rigorous scientific validation.

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