Salvia lavandulifolia
Other Names : Spanish Sage
Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl. is a plant from the Iberian peninsula whose phytochemical evaluation indicated the presence of flavonoids, triterpenoids, diterpenoids and monoterpenes. It has an essential oil rich in various bioactive compounds (like 1,8-cineole or α-pinene).
Health Benefits and Uses of Salvia lavandulifolia
It has been traditionally used for its spasmolytic, antiseptic, analgesic, sedative and anesthesic activities. pharmacological studies of the plant have demonstrated its reputation as aromatic plant to enhance memory and anti-dementia drug by the inhibition of cholinesterase enzyme. The species also possesses a wide range of pharmacological uses including: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, estrogenic and central nervous system depressant properties, relevant to the treatment of Alzheimer´s disease.
S. lavandulifolia has been used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties as spasmolytic, antiseptic (bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal), analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory and locally anesthetic remedies.
- This herbal medicine has been utilized for their psychoactive and psychotropic properties.
- The leaves of S. lavandulifolia are traditionally used as a choleretic, astringent, cicatrizing and antiseptic drug, and also antiperspirant effect for menopause symptoms.
- Aqueous extract present hypoglycemic activity, and is used as folk remedies to treat diabetic hyperglycemia.
- The essential oil of the plant is rich of compounds not only with antimicrobial and antiviral activities but also with antioxidant properties. Others notable ailments for which this plant has been used includes depression.
- Neurodegenerative disorders : Several studies have shown that Salvia lavandulifolia present properties to attenuate the cognitive decline in natural aging and dementia. The improvement mood and cognition-enhancing effects of sage also exhibit anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and oestrogenic properties, relevant to brain function. These results demonstrate that Salvia lavandulifolia, its essential oil and some constituents have properties relevant to the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders due to its reported memory-enhancing properties. S. lavandulifolia has shown to possess not only properties to the treatment of cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer´s disease, but also in the general cognitive enhancement of healthy people. Salvia is potentially a novel therapeutic treatment for neurodegenerative disorders as Alzheimer´s disease. Studies on identification of active S. lavandulifolia constituents are important in the search for new therapeutic compounds. It was reported positive effects on three mood dimensions: alertness, contentedness and calmness in a dosedependent manner, modulating mood and cognition evaluated by Cognitive Drug Research test. Specifically, following oral administration of essential oil the immediate and delayed verbal memory was improved. In the light of these findings, further research is required to determinate the bioactive constituents of plants and elucidate their molecular mechanism
of action to therapeutic application. because, due their low cost and commercial availability might be interesting candidates to the development of dietary or pharmaceutical products.
- S. lavandulifolia Essential Oil has been described as a safe memory enhancer, suggesting it could be used in Alzheimer’s disease therapy .
- It presents other notable activities with medical applications, which include spasmolitic, oestrogenic and antimicrobial properties.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6152226/
- Pharmacological activity of Salvia lavandulifolia and chemical components of its essential oil. A review María Porres-Martínez, Mª Emilia Carretero
