This Little-Known Herb Kills Candida and Resolves IBS

Sage -- an herb found in most spice cabinets, and the one commonly used to flavor your Thanksgiving dressing -- is a severely under-appreciated medicinal herb and panacea. Perhaps one of its most impressive uses is as a remedy for IBS and candida.

Considering that it's part of the mint family, it should come as no surprise that sage can help soothe the painful symptoms that come with IBS. In fact, some people regard this simple herb as their go-to remedy in times of a flare-up.

Let's start by taking a look at the powerful nutritional profile and properties of sage:

Sage contains over 80 different vitamins and nutrients, including: 

• Vitamins A, C, and K 
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Potassium

 See the entire nutrient profile for sage here.

Properties and Benefits of Sage:

•  Sage is a natural anti-spasmodic, meaning it'll stop those painful GI cramps that are infamous for their ability to double you over for hours on end.

• Sage relieves inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, thanks to the rosmarinic acid content.
  

• Sage has natural anti-fungal and anti-yeast action, which makes it perfect for killing off the excess of candida albicans or "yeast" that affects folks with IBS.

• Sage fights infection, particularly those of the intestines, with anti-bacterial and anti-septic properties. Sage was even found to be effective against staphylococcus aureus, i.e. staph infection.

• Sage is a natural remedy for constipation as it has a mild stimulating effect on digestion.

 Photo credit: Latisha (herbmother)

How Does Sage Kill Candida and Resolve IBS Flare-Ups?

• Sage strengthens Digestion and Treats Stomach Disorders. Sage has been used for centuries as a general tonic to stimulate a weakened digestive system and treat stomach disorders, including stomach hemorrhages.

• Prevents Flare-Ups Caused by Anxiety. Many people suffering from IBS and candida know that any excitement, anxiety, or nervousness can send your symptoms into overdrive in a matter of minutes. Use sage for its ability to help keep excitability, anxiety, and nervousness down. Drinking a tea infused with sage can also help with the headaches most of us nervous IBS'ers keep.

•  Sage tea strengthens a weakened immune system and fatigued body.

How to Use Sage for Relief from IBS and Candida 

Sage is often taken in small doses multiple times a day for  for relentless cases of IBS.

The most popular way to use sage as a medicinal herb is in the form of a tea, although it's also available in easy-to-swallow capsules.

Dosing: According to Whfoods' Food Rating Chart System, a serving of dried sage is 2 teaspoons or 1.40 grams.

How to Make Sage Tea:
Bring 8 ounces of water to a boil, then allow it to cool for a few minutes before pouring over 1 teaspoon of fresh sage leaves, or 2 teaspoons, if using dried sage leaves.

Allow to steep for 10 minutes. (One source recommend steeping for a whopping 4 hours.)

After steeping (for however long you prefer) strain, then drink the infusion as you would any tea. Leftovers can be refrigerated for later.


No Leaves on-Hand? Just Use Ground Sage
There's no reason to forego this powerful IBS remedy just because you don't have actual sage leaves. Ground sage is just as good, and according to some people, works better than the tea method.

You can make a tea using ground sage in your coffee maker. Just substitute coffee grounds (don't forget a coffee filter) for a scoop of ground sage. Pour in your water, turn the coffee maker on and enjoy a quick cup of sage tea!

On hurried days, I dump 2 teaspoons of ground sage in a cup of warm or room temperature water for fast relief from bloating, cramping, and other IBS-related pain. 

Unlike coffee, the grounds of sage aren't bothersome going down. If the grounds do happen to bother you simply strain the sage-infused water beforehand.

How to Take Sage for Candida Overgrowth

When symptoms start showing up frequently, it usually signifies a problem with candidiasis, the overgrowth of candida albicans or "yeast." This is when I like to start taking sage on a daily basis. I either add ground sage to my water or put it in a capsule for fast, easy dosing.

My symptoms typically begin to disappear within 3-4 days, depending. 2 teaspoons taken for several consecutive days can be necessary to get candida under control.
 
If you the taste of sage is a problem or you're looking for a more convenient way to supplement with sage, you can opt for a capsule form.



Have you ever tried herbal remedies for IBS and candida overgrowth? Share your thoughts and results in the comments.