Full profile
| Also known as | Salvia officinalis, Salvia lavandulaefolia, Sibelius: Sage, Cognivia |
|---|---|
| Best for | Acute working-memory and word-recall support · Attention on deep-work days · Stimulant-free cholinergic support |
| Evidence grade | Grade C · Limited: early or small human trials |
| Studied dose range | ~150–333 mg of a branded standardized extract (studied acute range 150–1332 mg; one chronic trial used 600 mg/day). |
| Time to effect | Predominantly acute: roughly 1–4 hours post-dose; limited cumulative evidence. |
| Best form | Branded standardized aqueous leaf extract (e.g. Sibelius: Sage at ~2.5% rosmarinic acid, or Cognivia). |
| Food sources | Culinary sage and sage tea (far below studied cognitive doses) |
Evidence, honestly graded
Tildesley 2003 (sage oil) improved immediate recall in healthy young adults and Scholey 2008 improved memory/attention in older adults via cholinesterase inhibition; a 2021 branded trial showed acute and some chronic gains but was sponsor-funded. Samples are small and chronic data thin: honestly C.
See the full grading rubric (study type, replication, population match, and dose adequacy) in The Evidence Standard.
321 natural health products with an active licence in Health Canada's LNHPD list Sage as a medicinal ingredient.
That makes Sage a recognized, licensable medicinal ingredient in Canada, regulated by Health Canada's Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate, which issues each licensed natural health product a Natural Product Number (NPN). Search the LNHPD to verify.
Side effects
- Generally well tolerated
- Possible GI upset
Who should avoid it or check first
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Epilepsy or seizure disorders (thujone is a proconvulsant)
Interactions
- May add to the effects of cholinergic drugs; use caution with anticonvulsants and sedatives; discuss with a clinician
Stacks well with
Use caution stacking with
- Stacking multiple cholinergic/anticholinesterase agents without rationale
What to look for on a label
- Position as an acute focus/memory ingredient, with no memory-loss or dementia implications.
- The Health Canada sage monograph covers traditional digestive/throat uses, not cognition, and sets a thujone limit. Plan for a certificate of analysis rather than presenting testing as done.
References
- Tildesley 2003, Pharmacol Biochem Behav: acute sage & memory. Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia) essential oil, dosed in microlitres (25–50 µl), a distinct preparation from the milligram aqueous branded extract the dose range above refers to, improved immediate word recall in healthy young adults. PMID 12895685; doi:10.1016/S0091-3057(03)00122-9. Educational, not a product claim.
- Scholey 2008, Psychopharmacology: sage in older adults. Anticholinesterase sage extract improved memory and attention in healthy older adults. PMID 18350281; doi:10.1007/s00213-008-1101-3.
- Wightman 2021, Nutrients: branded sage acute/chronic trial. Acute and some chronic cognitive gains; industry-funded. PMID 33466627; doi:10.3390/nu13010218. Educational, not a product claim.
Grades and studied doses are our conservative reading of the human research, shown for education. They are not product claims, and a studied dose is not a recommended dose.
Revision history
Every change to this ingredient's evidence status, dated and explained. The full cross-library log lives at Evidence Updates.
- 2026-07-05New profile
Initial profile published at Grade C: small acute trials show recall and attention effects via cholinesterase inhibition, with the strongest branded trial sponsor-funded.
See how Sage compares on grade, dose, and goal in the Evidence Explorer.
