Evidence supporting the use of: Sage
For the health condition: Urinary Tract Infections

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Sage (Salvia officinalis) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for various ailments, including infections and inflammation. Its application for urinary tract infections (UTIs) is primarily rooted in traditional European and Middle Eastern herbal practices, where sage has been used as a general antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. Folk remedies have occasionally recommended sage tea or extracts for urinary discomfort, though it is more commonly used for respiratory or digestive issues.

From a scientific perspective, sage contains compounds such as thujone, camphor, and rosmarinic acid, some of which have demonstrated antimicrobial activity in laboratory settings. However, there is a lack of direct clinical evidence or robust studies showing that sage is effective specifically against the pathogens that cause UTIs, such as Escherichia coli. No major clinical trials have evaluated sage as a standalone or adjunctive therapy for UTIs in humans. Thus, while the herb does have chemical constituents with potential antibacterial effects, its use for UTIs remains speculative outside of traditional recommendations.

In summary, sage’s use for UTIs is justified primarily by tradition, not by scientific validation. The evidence supporting its efficacy in this context is limited to anecdotal or historical usage, and the scientific basis is weak and indirect.

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