Sometimes called muscatel sage, clary sage is a small perennial cultivated
throughout Europe and Asia. It's thought that the term "clary" is an
adulteration of the phrase "clear eye" because clary sage was once a common
treatment for excess mucus of the eye.
Clary sage is distilled from the flower and leaves of the Salvia sclarea.
Traditional Herbal Uses
Traditionally, herbalists used clary sage to bring down swellings. An Italian
study found clary sage to be remarkably effective at reducing inflammation.
In Chinese medicine, clary sage is believed to increase Qi through relaxation
and improved circulation.
Aromatherapy Uses
Clary sage has a strong grassy scent slightly reminiscent of freshly cut hay.
It gives the nose a slightly dry sensation.
Clary sage is widely considered one of the most important essential oils for
women. Aromatherapists will diffuse it into the air to ease menstrual cramps and
it seems to exert an estrogenic effect.
Aromatherapists generally regard clary sage as uplifting and warm. They also
tend to recommend clary sage to clients who work in highly expressive fields
like art or dance.
Clary sage is frequently blended with geranium, especially for women.
Blending With Other Essential Oils
Clary sage is a strong herbaceous scent that blends well with citrus oils, some
woody oils like frankincense and floral scents like ylang ylang and rose.
Clary sage is generally considered a middle-note.
Safety & Warnings
Clary sage was traditionally thought of as an emmenagogue and many aromatherapy
books still advise against using it during pregnancy but current scientific
evidence doesn't seem to support the idea that clary sage is an abortifacient.
The use of essential oils (extracts or essences) from flowers, herbs, and
trees to promote health and well-being.
A system of caring for the body with botanical oils such as rose, lemon,
lavender (used to soothe cuts, bruises and insect bites), and peppermint.
These essential oils can be added to a bath, massaged through the skin,
inhaled directly, used with teas, or scented in a room. This therapy is
intended to relieve pain, care for the skin, and alleviate tension and
fatigue.
The use of fragrant, natural, botanical essential oils from plants, leaves,
bark, roots, seeds, resins and flowers as a healing art. Aromatherapy
refreshes and relaxes the skin while soothing the mind by helping to induce
a sense of well-being. Each individual essence is used to produce a
specific beneficial effect. Used in massage and facials.
The use of essential oils from aromatic plants to restore and enhance
health and beauty as defined by the American Aromatherapy Association.
Aromatherapy uses as its basic ingredients essential oils, which represent
the highest herbal energy. Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile
extracts retrieved from aromatic herbs, flowers, seeds and trees; they
contain hormone-like properties, vitamins, minerals and natural
antiseptics.
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