I’ve about exhausted the internet (and me too for searching) about these two herbs. The best info I have found (and in only one place) for the Russian Sage is this (but I cannot seem to find why Doc recommended Coleus as a possible substitute in the Thyroid Stim formula). Though the below quotes state Salvia Officinalis, the info I’ve found for Russian Sage states elsewhere Salvia yangii (or Perovskia atriplicifolia). Any help is greatly appreciated! EDIT: I just realized that the below quote is for “regular sage” like Turkey stuffing, though it doesn’t mention the wonderful memory enhancing properties that Doc mentioned. So, I’m still looking for Russian Sage info/properties (which isn’t sage at all).
Medicinal
Salvia officinalis has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times. It was used for numerous health issues such as seizures, ulcers, gout, rheumatism, inflammation, dizziness, tremor, paralysis, diarrhoea, and hyperglycemia. No wonder it was stored in the officina (the medicine storeroom of monasteries), leading to its name officinalis.
Studies have demonstrated some medicinal properties such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antimutagenic, antidementia, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic.
So any info on Coleus (not forskohlii) and Russian Sage will make this old gal a happy camper!