Salvia plants (sage) belong to the Lamiaceae or mint (deadnettle) family of plants. A number of species of plant from this group have been shown to have medicinal effects that may relate to their unique phytochemical composition. In particular, Salvia plants have been evidenced to be able to provide neuropsychological, cardiovascular, metabolic, and endocrine benefits. A number of studies have investigated the mood elevating effects of Salvia plants on animals. For example, in one study, researchers administered extracts of Salvia mirzayanii and Salvia macrosiphon to mice before exposing them to experimental stress. The results of the study showed that Salvia mirzayanii and Salvia macrosiphon both had antidepressant-like effects on the animals. These effects may relate to the phytochemicals the plants contain. For example, Salvia mirzayanii has been shown to contain flavonoids including rutin, luteolin and catechin, as well as other phenolic substances such as rosmarinic acid, all of which may have mood elevating effects.
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