Sage was used medicinally before it was ever a cooking herb. Sage tea is a diuretic when drunk cold and cause sweating when drunk warm. It is an anti-inflammatory, astringent (causing contraction of soft tissue), cholagogue (energizing a flow of bile), hepatic (an effect on the liver), and vulnerary (wound healing) herb.

If you are using sage tea, use for only two weeks and then take a break for two weeks.

Sage is used to relieve excess mucous buildup. It is beneficial to the mind by easing mental exhaustion, soothing nerves, and by strengthening the concentrating abilities. In a lotion or salve, it is useful for treating sores and skin eruptions, excessive sweating, and for stopping bleeding in all cuts. use as a tea for quieting nerves; expels worms and quiets spasms; good for mental exhaustion and strengthens the ability to concentrate; cures certain types of insanity; lotion for sores and skin eruptions; stops wounds from bleeding; use as a poultice for tumors; good for stomach troubles & "spring cleansing;" helps weak digestion; use as a salve for insect bites; slows secretion of fluids during excessive sweating and is therefore good to use before a sweat lodge. Sage tea prevents blood clots.

Chewing the fresh leaves soothes mouth sores and sore throats, as will sage tea. It is good for all stomach troubles, diarrhea, gas, flu and colds. As a hair rinse, it removes and treats dandruff. Sage combined with peppermint, rosemary, and wood betony provides an excellent headache remedy. It is used to regulate the menstrual cycle, to decrease milk flow in lactating women, aids in treating hot flashes, and is used as a deodorant.

Chew a fresh leaf and put on insect bite to reduce sting and swelling. Two cups of sage tea a day for a week will dry up mother’s milk.

For itching skin, steep a handful of freshly crushed leaves in a pint of boiled water for one hour, and bathe the area, then sprinkle with whole wheat flour.

Mash, chop or powder sage with oats, bran or bread and hot water (to form a paste) for sores, and as a compress for wounds.

As a tincture, it can be used for bladder problems, blood cleanser, diarrhea, digestion, reducing fever, headaches, nausea, nerves, respiratory infection, and yeast problems.

When sage is made into a syrup, it can be used for coughing and lung problems, while as a gargle, it can help sore throats. In children, it can help coughs, mouth ulcers and tonsillitis (as a gargle/mouthwash).

The herbal tea is an antidepressant, and can help bad breath, coughs, colds, headaches, insomnia, mouth sores, and is a relaxing tonic. It is an aromatic herb that can disguise unpleasant flavors.

When sage is put into a bath, it can be used for chills, colds, digestion, and sore muscles.

For healthy hair, it can be used for falling hair (as a tonic), shiny hair, and dark hair (as a rinse).