Evidence supporting the use of: Sage
For the body system: Hair

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Synopsis

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

Sage (Salvia officinalis) has been traditionally used in herbal medicine for a variety of purposes, including supporting hair health. Historically, sage has been applied topically as a rinse or infused in oils for scalp health, with folk remedies suggesting its use for strengthening hair, promoting growth, and even darkening graying hair. The traditional rationale is partly due to sage’s content of compounds like essential oils, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which are believed to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects that may benefit the scalp and hair follicles.

However, direct scientific evidence supporting sage’s effectiveness specifically for hair growth, preventing hair loss, or improving hair health is limited. Most available studies focus on sage’s general antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory properties, rather than robust clinical data demonstrating hair-specific outcomes in humans. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest that sage extracts can inhibit microbes that affect scalp health or reduce inflammation, which could theoretically benefit the scalp environment and indirectly support hair wellness. There is also some preliminary research into sage’s potential for controlling dandruff or improving scalp conditions, but these findings are not yet conclusive or widely replicated.

In summary, while sage is traditionally used for hair and scalp care, scientific validation for these uses is limited and primarily indirect. The evidence level is rated as 2, reflecting traditional use with some plausible but unproven biological mechanisms.

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