Sage’s effect may be on memory

In the 17th century, noted herbalist Nicholas Culpeper wrote that the herb sage could “heal” the memory, while, “warming and quickening the senses.”

Here in the opening days of winter, anything that will warm and quicken my senses sounds very inviting.

Culpeper wasn’t the only herbalist (and certainly not the first) torecognize that sage can help improve memory. Now – centurieslater – scientists 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.A study conducted by researchers at MPRC demonstrates the possible results of inhibiting AChE. Researchers gave 44 subjects either sage oil capsules or placebo capsules containing sunfloweroil, 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.