Sage tea is made from the leaves of the common sage plant known by the botanical name Salvia officinalis. The leaves of the plant are commonly used to make culinary herbs and essential oils. This perennial evergreen shrub belongs to the mint family and boasts a refreshing flavor when infused in hot water. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region and features slightly gray leaves. Since sage tea does not contain leaves of the true tea plant Camellia sinensis, it is considered an herbal tea.

Sage has long been used in Italy and Greece as an herbal remedy for digestive issues and to boost the immune system. It’s also frequently used in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine. Sage tea contains high amounts of antioxidants including ellagic, which can be found in berries.

Other key ingredients include phenolic acids such as rosmarinic acid and flavonoids including luteolin and apigenin. According to studies in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, these flavonoids can help treat inflammation-related diseases.

Sage tea is naturally caffeine-free so you can enjoy it any time of day without disrupting sleep patterns. Drinking sage tea before bed can actually improve sleep thanks to its warming and soothing properties.