J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Aug; 71(3): 513-20.

Traditional uses of Salvia libanotica (East Mediterranean sage) and the effects of its essential oils.

Gali-Muhtasib H, Hilan C, Khater C.

Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. amro@aub.edu.lb

The extract of sage (Salvia libanotica), a plant endemic to the Mediterranean region, is the most popular plant remedy used by the Middle Eastern people to treat common complaints such as colds and abdominal pain. This review paper describes the East Mediterranean sage plant, Salvia libanotica, its geographic distribution, essential oil components, and popular uses in traditional medicine. The paper also discusses the therapeutic value of the individual components present in the essential oil extract of this plant, and the complications that could arise from the irrational use of this extract by man.