Sage Supplement for Menopause — Does It Reduce Hot Flushes?
Sage supplement for menopause — does it reduce hot flushes?
Sage (Salvia officinalis) has one of the longest traditional use histories of any herbal remedy for menopause. It has been used across Europe and the Mediterranean for centuries specifically to address hot flushes and excessive sweating. Modern clinical research is now beginning to catch up with this traditional knowledge — and the findings are encouraging.
Why sage may help with hot flushes
Hot flushes are caused by dysregulation of the hypothalamic thermostat — the brain's temperature control centre — as a result of oestrogen decline. Sage contains compounds including rosmarinic acid and flavonoids that appear to have mild oestrogenic activity at oestrogen receptors, which may help stabilise the hypothalamic response to temperature fluctuations.
Sage also contains compounds that inhibit sweat secretion through its astringent properties, providing a more direct mechanism for reducing the perspiration component of hot flushes and night sweats.
What does the research say?
A study published in Advances in Therapy examined 71 menopausal women taking a daily sage tablet for 8 weeks. The number of hot flushes decreased by 50% after four weeks and by 64% after 8 weeks. Intense hot flushes fell by 94% over the study period. These are significant reductions for a botanical supplement.
A 2011 multicentre study found that a fresh sage preparation reduced the intensity and frequency of hot flushes significantly over 8 weeks compared to baseline. Participants also reported improvements in sleep and mood.
What sage helps with during menopause
- Reduction in hot flush frequency and intensity
- Reduction in night sweats and associated sleep disruption
- Excessive perspiration beyond hot flushes
- Some evidence for mood support
Is sage safe during menopause?
Sage at supplemental doses used in clinical research is considered safe for most women. However, because it has mild oestrogenic activity, it should be used with caution by women with a history of hormone-sensitive conditions. Culinary amounts of sage in food are considered entirely safe. If you are on HRT, discuss with your GP before adding sage supplements as the combined oestrogenic effect needs consideration.
Sage in Kollo Balance+
Sage is one of five active ingredients in Kollo Balance+ — specifically included for its vasomotor symptom benefits alongside lion's mane for brain health, ashwagandha for stress and cortisol, magnesium for sleep and a full vitamin complex. The combination addresses the multiple dimensions of menopause symptoms in a single daily liquid supplement.
For the full picture of building a menopause supplement routine, read our guide to the best supplements for women over 40 and our guide to vitamins safe alongside HRT.
Kollo Health was co-founded by Jenni Falconer - TV presenter, Smooth Radio breakfast host, ten-time London Marathon runner and host of the RunPod podcast. Read her story and why she created Kollo.
