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SGE6.0
Sage Research
Too few graded studies
28 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Too few graded studies
Sage doesn't have enough studies with structured effect-size data yet to pool a verdict. Browse the studies below for individual findings.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2003–2027 with a typical study size of 71 participants.
Based on 28 studies · 4 meta-analyses · 16 RCTs · 964 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
1helped· 27 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Cognitive functionInhibits acetylcholinesterase to enhance memory consolidation and recall, with multiple RCTs showing significant improvements in cognitive performance · 2-4 weeks
Too few graded studies25 studies
Women's healthSmall trials report fewer and milder hot flashes. A meta-analysis of 4 studies found a frequency reduction whose interval crosses zero, and no significant effect on severity · 4-8 weeks · Small trials report fewer menopausal symptoms. No study cited here shows that sage binds estrogen receptors or changes hormone levels · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies10 studies
Glucose & metabolic
Too few graded studies8 studies
Safety profile
Too few graded studies5 studies
Cholesterol & lipids
Too few graded studies4 studies
InflammationAnti-inflammatory evidence is mechanistic (COX-2 and NF-kB). No oral sage trial has measured inflammation · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies4 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Too few graded studies4 studies
Anxiety & stressModulates GABAergic and serotonergic pathways to reduce mild anxiety symptoms · 2-4 weeks
In plain English: Lamiaceae supplementation is associated with modest reductions in size-based and central adiposity indices (BMI, WC, WHR) in adults with metabolic syndrome; exploratory subgroup analyses suggested potential signals for Salvia and Zataria, though based on limited trials.
Hassanpour H et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology (2027)
Using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool, 50% of studies had unclear allocation concealment, and 10% had high performance bias risk.
Random-effects meta-analysis demonstrated statistically significant reductions in size-based indices (BMI, weight) and proxies of central adiposity (WC, WHR), while changes in direct body composition (BFM) were not significant.
Lamiaceae supplementation is associated with modest reductions in size-based and central adiposity indices (BMI, WC, WHR) in adults with metabolic syndrome; exploratory subgroup analyses suggested potential signals for Salvia and Zataria, though based on limited trials.
4Chronic inflammation and quality of lifeReview2026
In plain English: This review provides up-to-date information for further basic and clinical research on herbal medicine in metabolic syndrome.
Winiarska A et al. · Nutrients (2026)
Incorporating spice herbs into the daily diet may represent a simple and safe approach to increasing the intake of anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds.
Conclusions: Future research should focus on the precise determination of optimal doses and combinations of spice herbs to maximise benefits while avoiding potential adverse effects resulting from excessive intake of certain compounds or inappropriate selection of spice herbs.
Long-term studies conducted in larger populations of women with metabolic syndrome are required, as physiological differences, particularly those related to oestrogens, may result in sex-specific effects.
A study among cafeteria patrons reported similar appreciation for a LS legume-based mezze with herbs and spices and its counterpart with 50% higher salt, suggesting that the addition of herbs and spices is a feasible strategy to reduce salt content while maintaining consumer acceptance.
14Hot flash frequencyMeta-AnalysisCited 9×n=310 · medium study2023
In plain English: Meta-analysis results showed that the effect of Salvia Officinalis on the frequency [ES=-1.12 (%95 CI:-2.37; 0.14), I2=71%] of hot flashes in postmenopausal women was significant compared to placebo, but severity [ES=-2.05 (%95 CI:-6.53; 2.43), I2=70%] was not significant.
Moradi M et al. · Int J Community Based Nurs Midwifery (2023)
4 studies with number of 310 people were examined.
All 4 reviewed studies indicated that the use of Salvia officinalis reduced the frequency and severity of hot flashes in postmenopausal women.
The authors report the pooled reduction in hot flash frequency as significant (ES -1.12), but its 95% confidence interval (-2.37 to 0.14) includes no effect, and heterogeneity was high (I2 71%).
15Fasting blood sugarMeta-AnalysisCited 4×2022
In plain English: The results of meta-analysis showed that S. officinalis reduced fasting blood sugar (FBS) (mg/dL) (MD: -31.15; 95% CI: -37.56 to -24.73; p<0.00001). It also reduced HbA1c (%) (MD: -0.94; 95% CI: -1.25 to -0.63; p<0.00001).
Abdollahi A et al. · J Complement Integr Med (2022)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Three studies included in the review and all of them included in meta-analysis.
S. officinalis reduced fasting blood sugar (MD -31.15 mg/dL, 95% CI -37.56 to -24.73) and HbA1c (MD -0.94%, 95% CI -1.25 to -0.63).
It also reduced total cholesterol (MD -43.64 mg/dL, p=0.03) and LDL (MD -19.23 mg/dL, p=0.02), but it did not have a significant effect on triglyceride (p=0.09), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (p=0.18).
In plain English: Ethnopharmacological evidence revealed 187 Salvia species with documented uses across Asia (Middle East, China), America (Mesoamerica and South America), Africa (Saharan and southern regions), and Europe (Mediterranean and Balkan areas).
Nicolescu A et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology (2026)
Ethnopharmacological evidence revealed 187 Salvia species with documented uses across Asia (Middle East, China), America (Mesoamerica and South America), Africa (Saharan and southern regions), and Europe (Mediterranean and Balkan areas).
The most frequently cited ailments in which Salvia species are used were gastrointestinal (127), respiratory (86), dermatological (82), and genitourinary (80).
Culinarily, the genus provides aromatic and nutritional properties, increasing the value of diverse dishes and beverages.
17Menopausal symptomsRCTCited 10×n=80 · small study2021
In plain English: Salvia off. distinctly reduced MRS by 39.2% from 15.3 ± 6.87 to 9.3 ± 5.75 and significantly in comparison to placebo (p = 0.002).
Wilfried D, Nina CDG, Silvia B · Heliyon (2021)
Randomized 80 menopausal women from 48 - 65 years of age received Menosan® tablets [3'400 mg ethanolic extract of freshly harvested Salvia officinalis L.] or placebo under double-blind conditions for 4 weeks.
Salvia off. distinctly reduced MRS by 39.2% from 15.3 ± 6.87 to 9.3 ± 5.75 and significantly in comparison to placebo (p = 0.002).
Salvia off. within 4 weeks significantly reduced the somato-vegetative (e.g. hot flushes) and psychological MRS subscale (e.g. physical and mental exhaustion) subscale (p < 0.05) without a significant effect on the genito-urinary subscale.
18Insulin resistance markersRCTCited 22×n=60 · small study2020
In plain English: Also, the consumption of S. officinalis extract, compared to the placebo, resulted in a significant decrease in Insulin levels (P < 0.001), and HOMA-IR (P < 0.001).
Amini L et al. · Complement Ther Med (2020)
Randomized, triple-blinded trial in 60 women with PCOS: 330 mg S. officinalis extract or placebo capsules daily for eight weeks.
Results showed a statistically significant decrease in the BMI (P = 0.001) in S. officinalis group, but, there were no significant differences between the two groups for WHR (P = 0.164).
The effect on systolic blood pressure was not significant (P = 0.283). A multivariate model showed a significant difference in diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.025).
19Lipid profile improvementRCTCited 39×n=67 · small study2011
In plain English: The extract lowered the blood levels of total cholesterol (p < 0.001), triglyceride (p = 0.001), LDL (p = 0.004) and VLDL (p = 0.001), but increased the blood HDL levels (p < 0.001) without any significant effects on the blood levels of SGOT, SGPT and creatinine (p > 0.05) compared with the placebo group at the endpoint.
Kianbakht S et al. · Phytother Res (2011)
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 67 hyperlipidemic patients: one 500 mg sage leaf extract capsule every 8 h for 2 months (34 patients) or placebo (33).
The extract lowered the blood levels of total cholesterol (p < 0.001), triglyceride (p = 0.001), LDL (p = 0.004) and VLDL (p = 0.001), but increased the blood HDL levels (p < 0.001) compared with the placebo group at the endpoint.
Liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT) and creatinine did not change significantly. No adverse effects were reported.
20Working memoryRCTCited 19×n=94 · small study2021
In plain English: A consistent, significant benefit of the sage combination was observed throughout working memory and accuracy task outcome measures (specifically on the Corsi Blocks, Numeric Working Memory, and Name to Face Recall tasks) both acutely (i.e., changes within day 1 and day 29) and chronically (i.e., changes between day 1 to day 29).
Wightman EL et al. · Nutrients (2021)
94 healthy adults aged 30-60 were randomised to 600 mg daily of a sage combination (Cognivia, Salvia officinalis polyphenols with Salvia lavandulaefolia terpenoids) or placebo for 29 days.
A consistent, significant benefit of the sage combination was observed throughout working memory and accuracy task outcome measures (specifically on the Corsi Blocks, Numeric Working Memory, and Name to Face Recall tasks) both acutely (i.e., changes within day 1 and day 29) and chronically (i.e., changes between day 1 to day 29).
These results fall slightly outside of those reported previously with single Salvia administration, and therefore, a follow-up study with the single and combined extracts is required to confirm how these effects differ within the same cohort.