Savor Sage Tea With Two Tasty Recipes
Sage tea has long been an herbal remedy for everything from hot flashes and night sweats to better digestion. This tasty tea delivers when it comes to flavor with earthy notes and a minty finish. Try something new with these sage tea recipes. You'll discover a simple recipe that highlights the nuanced flavor of sage and an incredible iced tea blend to cool off in summer.
Why Sage Tea?
Sage tea is an herbal tea made from the leaves of the sage plant known by the botanical name Salvia officinalis. Sage tea can be made using fresh sage leaves from your garden or dried sage. The leaves from the sage plant are also commonly used to spice up culinary dishes and can be distilled to produce essential oils. The sage plant is native to the Mediterranean region, but can now be found across the globe.
Flavor
Sage belongs to the mint family and thus features a tingling taste that is similar to fresh mint and peppermint. Sage tea features a blend of minty flavors with earthy notes. This tea benefits from the addition of lemon juice or ginseng to bring out the nuanced flavor. The tea is also commonly brewed with black tea leaves or apple for a sweeter note. Sage tea can be mildly astringent and boasts a warming feeling when brewed hot.
This tea is completely caffeine-free since it is an herbal tea, so you can enjoy it all day long without adverse side effects such as sleep disturbances.
Health Benefits of Sage Tea
Research shows that sage boasts anti-inflammatory properties that may be beneficial to human health. Sage contains flavonoids including quercetin, apigenin, and luteolin that decrease inflammation and may help alleviate aches and pains, lower blood pressure, and regulate blood sugar levels (1).
Sage tea may also help to streamline digestion and improve weight loss results. A study published in 2004 found that carnosic acid — an ingredient in sage leaves — improved digestion and lowered triglyceride levels in mice (2). The same study found that regular sage consumption decreased weight gain in the mice. The anti-inflammatory properties of sage may also help to ease symptoms of an upset stomach by soothing irritated stomach muscles.
Drinking sage tea may also be beneficial for immune health. Early studies show that sage contains compounds, which may help to enhance immune defenses (3). The leaves also contain vitamin A, which is good for immunity and organ function. Plus, serving up a cup of hot sage tea when you're already sick may help to soothe a sore throat.
Simple Sage Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
- 10 ounces of water
- 1 small piece of ginseng - sliced (OPTIONAL)
- 1 lemon slice (OPTIONAL)
Instructions:
- Bring water to a rapid boil in a large saucepan.
- Add the sage tea leaves and ginseng (if desired) to the boiling water and remove from heat.
- Let the leaves steep for 5 to 10 minutes depending on desired flavor strength — the longer the steeping time, the stronger the flavor.
- Strain the leaves and pour into a teacup. Garnish with a slice of lemon.
Raspberry Sage Iced Tea
Ingredients:
- 4 teaspoons fresh sage leaves
- 1 handful of fresh raspberries
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 6 cups water
Instructions:
- Bring water to a rapid boil in a large saucepan.
- Remove the pan from heat and add the sage leaves and honey. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before straining out the sage.
- In a separate container, gently crush the raspberries to release flavor. Once the tea concentrate reaches room temperature, add the fresh berries and tea to a large glass pitcher.
- Serve in tall glasses over ice cubes or store in the refrigerator for later use. Garnish with a sage leaf and a raspberry.
Safety of Sage Tea
Sage tea is safe for consumption in moderate amounts. This tea contains a compound known as thujone. Animal studies show that this compound may be toxic when consumed in large amounts. It's important to note that toxicity has only been demonstrated in mice and studies on excessive human consumption are limited. To be safe, limit sage tea intake to one or two cups per day.
The main side effects of sage tea are allergic reactions and an upset stomach. Avoid drinking this tea if you are allergic to the sage plant of members of the mint family. Limit consumption to a cup or two per day to avoid other side effects.
Savor Sage
Millions of Americans reach for a cup of tea each day. Try something new with earthy and minty sage tea. With these easy recipes, you can brew up a simple cup of sage tea or whip up a vibrant iced tea blend in no time. Pour yourself a tasty herbal tea and sip your way to relaxation.
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4926454/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15050633/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3579013/
Sage tea has long been an herbal remedy for everything from hot flashes and night sweats to better digestion. This tasty tea delivers when it comes to flavor with earthy notes and a minty finish. Try something new with these sage tea recipes. You'll discover a simple recipe that highlights the nuanced flavor of sage and an incredible iced tea blend to cool off in summer.
Why Sage Tea?
Sage tea is an herbal tea made from the leaves of the sage plant known by the botanical name Salvia officinalis. Sage tea can be made using fresh sage leaves from your garden or dried sage. The leaves from the sage plant are also commonly used to spice up culinary dishes and can be distilled to produce essential oils. The sage plant is native to the Mediterranean region, but can now be found across the globe.
Flavor
Sage belongs to the mint family and thus features a tingling taste that is similar to fresh mint and peppermint. Sage tea features a blend of minty flavors with earthy notes. This tea benefits from the addition of lemon juice or ginseng to bring out the nuanced flavor. The tea is also commonly brewed with black tea leaves or apple for a sweeter note. Sage tea can be mildly astringent and boasts a warming feeling when brewed hot.
This tea is completely caffeine-free since it is an herbal tea, so you can enjoy it all day long without adverse side effects such as sleep disturbances.
Health Benefits of Sage Tea
Research shows that sage boasts anti-inflammatory properties that may be beneficial to human health. Sage contains flavonoids including quercetin, apigenin, and luteolin that decrease inflammation and may help alleviate aches and pains, lower blood pressure, and regulate blood sugar levels (1).
Sage tea may also help to streamline digestion and improve weight loss results. A study published in 2004 found that carnosic acid — an ingredient in sage leaves — improved digestion and lowered triglyceride levels in mice (2). The same study found that regular sage consumption decreased weight gain in the mice. The anti-inflammatory properties of sage may also help to ease symptoms of an upset stomach by soothing irritated stomach muscles.
Drinking sage tea may also be beneficial for immune health. Early studies show that sage contains compounds, which may help to enhance immune defenses (3). The leaves also contain vitamin A, which is good for immunity and organ function. Plus, serving up a cup of hot sage tea when you're already sick may help to soothe a sore throat.
Simple Sage Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
- 10 ounces of water
- 1 small piece of ginseng - sliced (OPTIONAL)
- 1 lemon slice (OPTIONAL)
Instructions:
- Bring water to a rapid boil in a large saucepan.
- Add the sage tea leaves and ginseng (if desired) to the boiling water and remove from heat.
- Let the leaves steep for 5 to 10 minutes depending on desired flavor strength — the longer the steeping time, the stronger the flavor.
- Strain the leaves and pour into a teacup. Garnish with a slice of lemon.
Raspberry Sage Iced Tea
Ingredients:
- 4 teaspoons fresh sage leaves
- 1 handful of fresh raspberries
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 6 cups water
Instructions:
- Bring water to a rapid boil in a large saucepan.
- Remove the pan from heat and add the sage leaves and honey. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before straining out the sage.
- In a separate container, gently crush the raspberries to release flavor. Once the tea concentrate reaches room temperature, add the fresh berries and tea to a large glass pitcher.
- Serve in tall glasses over ice cubes or store in the refrigerator for later use. Garnish with a sage leaf and a raspberry.
Safety of Sage Tea
Sage tea is safe for consumption in moderate amounts. This tea contains a compound known as thujone. Animal studies show that this compound may be toxic when consumed in large amounts. It's important to note that toxicity has only been demonstrated in mice and studies on excessive human consumption are limited. To be safe, limit sage tea intake to one or two cups per day.
The main side effects of sage tea are allergic reactions and an upset stomach. Avoid drinking this tea if you are allergic to the sage plant of members of the mint family. Limit consumption to a cup or two per day to avoid other side effects.
Savor Sage
Millions of Americans reach for a cup of tea each day. Try something new with earthy and minty sage tea. With these easy recipes, you can brew up a simple cup of sage tea or whip up a vibrant iced tea blend in no time. Pour yourself a tasty herbal tea and sip your way to relaxation.
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4926454/
