sage
Herbs & Spices
Is sage high in salicylates?
Is sage high or low in salicylates? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why salicylates food checker matters
Salicylates are natural chemicals found in many fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. They're related to aspirin and can cause reactions in sensitive individuals including hives, asthma symptoms, nasal congestion, and digestive issues.
- Start by eliminating the highest sources: spices, herbs, and concentrated products
- Peel fruits and vegetables when possible to reduce salicylate content
- Fresh is usually better tolerated than dried or concentrated
- Build up tolerance slowly by reintroducing foods one at a time
- Sensitivity often improves with gut healing over time
Sensitivities
What sage contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where sage fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about sage
Sage carries no histamine, no gluten, no nickel and no dairy, but it grades high in salicylates, which is typical for the strongly aromatic Mediterranean herbs. Dose is the whole story here. Three leaves browned in butter is a very different exposure from a mug of sage tea or a sage capsule, and people who react usually got there through the concentrated forms rather than the seasoning.
Watch for
- High in salicylates.Sage is one of the potent aromatic herbs, and salicylate content tracks with that intensity of flavour
- Sage tea, sage extracts and sage supplements deliver far more of the plant than a few leaves in a roast, so they are the forms most likely to provoke a reaction
- Clean on histamine, tyramine, nickel and gluten, so if sage sets off symptoms, salicylate is the grade to look at first
- Moderate on FODMAPs, though culinary amounts are small enough that this rarely matters in practice
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Salicylates Guide
Everything you need to know about salicylates sensitivity and smart food choices.
Salicylates are natural chemicals found in many fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. They're related to aspirin and can cause reactions in sensitive individuals including hives, asthma symptoms, nasal congestion, and digestive issues.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Salicylates sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in salicylates and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Salicylates, consider these strategies:
- 1Start by eliminating the highest sources: spices, herbs, and concentrated products
- 2Peel fruits and vegetables when possible to reduce salicylate content
- 3Fresh is usually better tolerated than dried or concentrated
- 4Build up tolerance slowly by reintroducing foods one at a time
- 5Sensitivity often improves with gut healing over time
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is sage high in Salicylates?
Salicylates: higher signal - consider smaller servings or swaps.
Can I still eat sage if I'm sensitive to Salicylates?
Best to avoid or test carefully with a small amount.
What else should I check?
Check Low Salicylate, FODMAPs, and Low Fibre next for a fuller picture.