Pineapple Sage (Salvia Elegans) Health Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects

Pineapple sage, also known as Salvia Elegans, is a medicinal remedy used for anxiety and high blood pressure. It is native to Guatemala and Mexico. It is an easily grown perennial shrub and it is also named as tangerine sage.

Leaves have a flavor of pineapple and tangy fragrance. The edible flowers of pineapple sage are bright red in color and have slightly sweet taste and somewhat similar to mint and lemon.

Flowers are used in vegetable salads and as a garnish for drinks and ice cream. Leaves are used in summer beverages.

Botanical Classification

Medicinal Parts

1. Leaves
2. Flowers

Indications

Pineapple sage is used in following medical conditions in traditional and folk medicines.

1. Anxiety
2. High blood pressure
3. Mental fatigue
4. Stress
5. Depression

Medicinal Properties

Pineapple sage has following medicinal properties.

• Anti-depressant
• Anxiolytic (Anti-anxiety agent)
• Anti-hypertensive (lowers blood pressure)
• Adaptogen (helps coping with stress)

Health Benefits & Medicinal Uses

Folks are using pineapple sage as general brain tonic and relieving mental fatigue and stress. Therapeutically, it is used in anxiety, depression and high blood pressure.

Anxiety & Depression

Pineapple sage is Mexican traditional remedy and well known in Mexico & Guatemala for its Anxiolytic effects. It relieves stress and anxiety. It can help people with mild depression and anxiety disorders. A scientific study on mince also demonstrates antidepressant effects of Salvia elegans. (1)

High blood pressure (Hypertension)

Pineapple sage is also beneficial in lowering blood pressure, so it is used in Mexico for high blood pressure. It exhibits anti-hypertensive action like ACE inhibitors. The study on anti-hypertensive action of Salvia elegans is published in Journal of Ethnopharmacology. (2, 3)

Also Read: Ayurvedic Treatment of High Blood Pressure

Constipation

Leaves of pineapple sage are used in salad for constipation. Its action might be due to fiber content in the leaves of pineapple sage. In constipation, it is used along with raisins.

Body heat

Pineapple sage has cooling effects in the body, so it is used in summer to garnish for summer drinks and as a fruity spread.

Indigestion

Pineapple sage leaves relieve indigestion. Pineapple sage is usually used to digest meat and to cure indigestion that occurs after ingestion of animal foods or diary foods.

Heartburn

Pineapple sage tea is used for heartburn and acidity. Pineapple sage leaves have antacid properties, so leaves are helpful in gastritis, acidity, burning sensation and other digestive ailments.

How to make pineapple sage tea

1. Take a handful of pineapple sage leaves and a cup of water.
2. Add leaves in water and boil the water with leaves.
3. Leave it for 5 minutes and let it cool down, so its temperature comes down to drink comfortably.
4. You can also add a teaspoon of sugar or honey to enhance taste of pineapple sage tea.

It is also helpful for improving digestion and liver functions. Honey is much better than sugar for therapeutic purposes, but remember not adding honey when tea is too hot, let it become warm and then add honey in the tea.

Dosage

Pineapple sage leaves

Fresh: 3 to 5 grams

Dried: 1 to 3 grams

Pineapple sage flowers

Fresh: 2 to 5 grams

Dried: 1 to 3 grams

Pineapple sage tea

100ml to 250 ml

Side effects or cautions

Pineapple sage is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken orally for a few days. The side effects with pineapple sage are yet unknown, so you should not use it regularly for more than a month.

You should also not consume pineapple sage tea more than 10 days continuously.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

There is no evidence for the safety of pineapple sage in pregnancy and breastfeeding, so stay on SAFE SIDE and avoid its use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Possible Interactions

Interactions of pineapple sage with modern medicines are unknown. It might interact with sedative medications and might cause sleepiness.