Sage and rosemary have much in common; they are often combined for their compatible culinary uses and even appear together in the famous Simon and Garfunkel song, Scarborough Fair – ‘parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme’.
Now, after research conducted by a team of United Kingdom scientists throughout the last decade, the herbs have even more in common. This team that included Professor Keith Wesnes, and Professor Andrew Scholey who were based at the Brain Sciences Institute at the Swinbourne University, Melbourne at the time, researched the possibility that sage (Salvia officinalis), just like rosemary, enhances memory and the outcome is very positive.
Sage with Blue Flowers
The team’s publication some months ago showed that an extract of sage improved attention and memory in volunteers who were both older and healthy. According to the team, this is the first time that the herb has shown it can improve cognitive function in healthy older adults.
This research confirms the long standing reputation sage has had for memory enhancement in traditional European herbalism.
Ref: Scholey AB, Tildesley NTJ, Ballard CG et al. Psychopharmacology
2008; 198(1): 127-139
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