July 23, 2022

Clary Sage: Product Highlight

Plant Details

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family. It is native to areas of the northern Mediterranean region, southern France, as well as some parts of northern Africa and central Asia.

Clary Sage grows to three to four feet in height and has thick stems that are squared and covered in hairs. The plant has long leaves that reach approximately 12 inches at the base and around six inches higher on the stems. Clary Sage leaves have a wrinkled appearance and are covered with fine glandular hairs. The flowers of the plant can vary from white to pale purple to blueish purple in color and grow in loose clusters of two to six. Clary Sage blooms open widely and the petals have pointed tips. Clary Sage is a short-lived perennial and typically lives for two seasons with some plants continuing weakly for three to four years.

History

The name Clary Sage comes from “clarus”, a Latin word that means “cleansing” or “clarifying”. The medicinal use of Clary Sage and its essential oil have been documented as far back as the fourth century BCE in the writings of Theophrastus. It is also mentioned in the ancient writings of Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides dating to the first century CE.

Throughout history, Clary Sage seeds have been used to support eye health and improve vision, leading people to sometimes refer to the plant as “clear eye” or “bright eye”. Clary Sage seeds of the plant were often used to help remove foreign objects from the eyes. The seeds have a mucilaginous coat, allowing them to stick to the object and remove it from the eye more easily. Nicholas Culpeper documented this practice in his book, Complete Herbal in 1653. Clary Sage Essential Oil was also used as an ingredient in the production of wine and beer. Elderflower-infused Clary Sage oil was added to Rhine wines in sixteenth-century Germany to make a more potent variable called Muscatel. Clary Sage Essential Oil was sometimes referred to as Muscatel Oil because of this use. The oil was used in a variety of cleansing rituals and potions and was considered a sacred plant throughout the Middle Ages. Many believed that Clary Sage Essential Oil is thought to have magical properties. During this time, it was also referred to as the “Eye of Christ” because of its prolific benefits. Clary Sage Essential Oil has also been a valuable ingredient in perfumery for many years. It was prized for its unique rich aroma for a top note and a slow evaporation rate that helps to anchor fragrance blends.

Extraction

Much like lavender, Clary Sage plants can thrive in high altitudes and produce more essential oil there than at lower elevations. The plants are harvested in late summer during the flowering period. When harvested by hand, the plant is cut with a sickle, ensuring to not include much of the woody stalk. This part of the plant contains little to no essential oil and it is best to distill only the tops of the plants. Clary Sage must be distilled when the plant is still fresh to prevent essential oil dissipation. Clary Sage Essential Oil is extracted from the leaves and flowering tops of the plant using steam distillation. The resulting essential oil is thin and clear with a sweet, earthy, herbaceous aroma.

Benefits & Uses

When used in aromatherapy, Clary Sage Essential Oil can help to ease stress and enhance the mood with its calming and uplifting properties. It works to improve concentration and mental stamina while also giving a boost to self-esteem. The enhanced state of awareness and mental peace, makes Clary Sage Essential Oil useful during spiritual practices such as meditation and focused prayer. The soothing and anti-inflammatory abilities of Clary Sage Essential Oil also allow it to ease the pain and tension of headaches and promote restful sleep. It can combat negative moods and emotions while also stimulating libido to produce feelings of positivity and passion. Clary Sage works to soothe coughs and respiratory issues associated with conditions like asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis when diffused and inhaled.

Used topically, Clary Sage Essential Oil offers benefits for both oily and dry skin types. It helps to balance the production of oil and sebum on the skin to prevent breakouts and irritation. Clary Sage can work to soothe inflammation, redness, and rashes and can exhibit a cooling effect on the skin. It helps to strengthen skin while also tightening and toning due to its rich antioxidant content, encouraging a calm and clear complexion. Clary Sage is known to ease the pain of sore muscles. When applied to the hair and scalp, Clary Sage Essential Oil is known to stimulate hair growth while working to strengthen hair strands to prevent breakage. It also helps to regulate the production of oils on the scalp, helping to combat dry scalp and dandruff. Clary Sage Essential Oil can be beneficial when applied to minor wounds, burns, and skin irritation. It helps to prevent to growth and spread of bacteria that can lead to infection while also facilitating a quicker rate of healing. Clary Sage can be beneficial for easing muscle aches and strains, as well as joint stiffness and sprains. It works to relax muscles to reduce cramps and spasms while also stimulating circulation. Clary Sage Essential Oil can also help to regulate the menstrual cycle while reducing associated bloating, pain, and cramping.

Here are some recipes using Clary Sage Essential Oil that we love...

Mind Body Spirit Diffuser Blend

Ingredients

Instructions

Add water to your diffuser up to the fill line. Add drops of the essential oil blend. This diffuser blend recipe is formulated for a 200ml ultrasonic diffuser. Adjust the amount according to the size and directions of your diffuser.

Healing Hydration Dry Scalp Scrub

Ingredients

1 cup of Fine Sea Salt
¼ cup of Sweet Almond Oil
¼ cup of Vegetable Glycerine
10 drops of Clary Sage Essential Oil
10 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil
10 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir together thoroughly. Scoop into jars or another airtight container. Scrub into the scalp to eliminate dry skin and dandruff.

Cleanse & Protect First Aid Spray

Ingredients

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to the bottle and shake well to combine. Spray on minor cuts and scrapes to ease pain and facilitate quick healing.

Tranquil Joy Roll-On

Ingredients

Instructions

Add essential oils to the bottle and fill the rest with Sweet Almond Oil. Replace the roller rollerball cap and gently shake to combine. Roll across the wrist and temples during times of stress and negativity.