Greek Sage Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 1,001 found this helpful
Salvia triloba L.; Salvia fruticosa Mill.
1

All parts of the Greek sage plant are toxic, with a low clinical toxicity grade for humans

2

Toxic components include thujone, camphor, 1,8-cineole, and multiple diterpene compounds

3

Chronic ingestion is the primary exposure risk, leading to gastrointestinal irritation symptoms

FAQ

Is Greek Sage toxic to Humans?

Chronic ingestion can cause gastrointestinal mucous membrane irritation, presenting as increased salivation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea (Low)

Is Greek Sage toxic to Cats?

No specific toxicity data available for this species; monitor for digestive distress if ingested (Unknown)

Is Greek Sage toxic to Dogs?

No specific toxicity data available for this species; monitor for digestive distress if ingested (Unknown)

Is Greek Sage toxic to Horses?

No specific toxicity data available for this species; monitor for digestive distress if ingested (Unknown)

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Toxicity Details

Humans
Low

Chronic ingestion can cause gastrointestinal mucous membrane irritation, presenting as increased salivation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea

Cats
Unknown

No specific toxicity data available for this species; monitor for digestive distress if ingested

Dogs
Unknown

No specific toxicity data available for this species; monitor for digestive distress if ingested

Horses
Unknown

No specific toxicity data available for this species; monitor for digestive distress if ingested

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsEntire plant
Exposure RouteIngestion (primary route); skin contact with concentrated essential oil extracts may also cause irritation
Toxic CompoundsThujone; Camphor; 1,8-Cineole; Pikrosalvin; Hydroxyoyleanon; Acetoxyoyleanon; Salvin; Methylsalvin

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

  • • If ingested, rinse mouth thoroughly with clean water to remove residual plant material
  • • Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a medical professional or veterinarian
  • • Monitor for early signs of discomfort including excessive salivation or nausea

Contact Vet Immediately

  • • If a pet (cat/dog/horse) ingests any quantity of the plant
  • • If severe symptoms including persistent abdominal pain, heavy diarrhea, or dehydration develop
  • • If symptoms last longer than 2 hours after exposure

Prevention

  • • Keep fresh or dried Greek sage out of reach of pets and young children
  • • Avoid long-term regular consumption of large quantities of unprocessed Greek sage
  • • Do not feed any parts of this plant to livestock or companion animals

Treatment & Prognosis

  • • Provide supportive care including fluid replacement to manage dehydration from diarrhea
  • • Administer symptomatic treatment for gastrointestinal irritation as prescribed by a healthcare provider
  • • Prevent further exposure to the plant to avoid worsening of symptoms
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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameSalvia triloba L.; Salvia fruticosa Mill.
AliasesGreek-oregano、Three-lobe sage、Turkish sage、Cretan sage、Cross sage
Toxicity Grade
HumansLow
CatsUnknown
DogsUnknown
HorsesUnknown
Target Organs
Gastrointestinal tractMucous membranes
Mechanism of Action

• Essential oil components irritate gastrointestinal tract mucous membranes during chronic exposure

• Thujone and camphor are the primary contributors to the plant's irritant effect on digestive tissues

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: No specific toxicity data reported; chronic ingestion may cause similar gastrointestinal irritation as observed in humans
Sheep: No specific toxicity data reported; avoid intentional large-quantity feeding of this plant
Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Common Sage Salvia officinalis L.
Both belong to the Salvia genus with similar gray-green textured leaves; Greek sage is distinguished by its characteristic three-lobed leaf structure
Wild Sage Salvia verbenaca L.
Shares similar leaf shape and growth habit with Greek sage; lacks the distinct three-lobed leaf structure of Salvia fruticosa
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Related Toxic Plants

Common Sage
Common Sage
Salvia officinalis L.
Low toxicity
Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal
Mentha pulegium L.
High toxicity
Perilla
Perilla
Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton
Moderate toxicity

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Data Sources

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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