Xinhua quoted researchers from the National Research Council's Institute in Cagliari (IN-CNR) as saying that the active ingredient from sage has been shown to turn alcoholic mice into teetotallers.

The next stage will be research on humans, Giancarlo Colombo of IN-CNR said. "We're very excited about the prospects for this Chinese sage," Colombo said.

The Chinese sage, whose scientific name is Salvia Miltiorrhiza, is one of the many herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine.

It has been used for centuries in China to treat blood diseases, heart disorders, haemorrhages, menstrual problems, edema (swelling, usually of the joints) and insomnia.

If demonstrated in humans, the efficacy of the Chinese sage would provide science with a welcome tool against alcoholism, a biochemical disorder which has proved very difficult to treat by chemical means.

According to Colombo, the Chinese sage slows the appearance of alcoholism traits in mice whose genetic make-up has been tweaked to make them more susceptible to drink.

"It appears to be completely devoid of side effects, so far at least," he said.

The Italian scientist thinks the herb may be able to turn alcoholics into moderate drinkers, a goal that has so far proved elusive.