Can sage help your memory?

Sage And Memory

Lemon. Box. Friend. Berry. Dog. Ladder. Elm.

In the 1500s, herbalists knew that sage was useful for helping people improve their memory. 500 years later, scientists now believe they know why.

An enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) breaks down a chemical called acetylcholine that is typically deficient in Alzheimer’s patients. Researchers from the Medical Plant Research Centre (MPRC) at the Universities of Newcastle and Northumbria in the UK have shown that sage inhibits AChE.

Now a new study from MPRC demonstrates the possible results of inhibiting AChE. Researchers gave 44 subjects either sage oil capsules or placebo capsules containing sunflower oil, and then conducted word recall tests. The group that received sage oil turned in significantly better test results than subjects that took placebo. However, researchers say that further tests are needed to fully determine just how far-reaching sage’s effect may be on memory.

Now – without peeking – can you recall the seven words I listed just after “Sage And Memory”?

If you can’t, some sage oil might help. Either that, or a little less sunflower oil.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute

Sources:
“Sage Could Make You a Sage” HealthScoutNews, 8/29/03, healthscoutnews.com
“Sage Oil Can Improve Memory” Ananova, 8/29/03, ananova.com