The volatile oil of sage contains the constituents alpha- and beta-thujone, camphor, and cineole.⁴ It also contains rosmarinic acid, tannins, and flavonoids. In modern European herbal medicine, a gargle of sage tea is commonly recommended to treat sore throat, inflammations in the mouth, and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).⁵ Test tube studies have found that sage oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity which may partially explain the effectiveness of sage for these indications.⁶

Sage is also approved in Germany for mild gastrointestinal upset and excessive sweating.⁷ An unpublished, preliminary German study with people suffering from excessive perspiration found that either a dry leaf extract or an infusion of the leaf reduced sweating by as much as 50%.⁸ A report from the United Kingdom indicates that herbalists there employ sage to treat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes.⁹