Herbalism: Clary Sage

Clary Sage is one of my favorite essential oils. I grew up in a place where common sage get wildly, and we used it for so many different reasons. It wasn’t until recently that I decided to actually read up a little more on this plant. This also led to me reading up more on the uses of its essential oils. As a result of the research that I have found, I have decided to create an aromatherapy/herbalism series of posts.

Origin

Clary Sage is a plant that is native to the Northern Mediterranean region, but is cultivated in England, the United States, Russia, and Morocco. Its botanical name is Salvia Sclarea. It’s flowering tops are used in the production of its essential oil. Clary sage is not to be confused with other botanical species that share the common name sage. Other species that share the common name include Salvia Officinalis (Common Sage), and Salvia Lavenulifolia (Spanish Sage). Clary Sage essential oil is used in a wide variety of applications as it is indicated for a lot of different conditions. Clary Sage essential oil is usually extracted using steam distillation.

What is it good for?

Clary Sage oil can be used as an anti-depressant, anti-seborrheic, astringent, hypotensive, nervine, and sedative. As an anti-depressant, Clary Sage oil helps to alleviate depression, stress, and anxiety. When used as an anti-seborrheic, it can be used to control the production of sebum, and is helpful in addressing oily skin and dandruff. If you choose to use it as an astringent, it will help you address saggy skin, or skin that is lacking in tone. Who wouldn’t want to have more tone skin?! Clary Sage oil can be used to calm the central nervous system as it tones the nerves and nervous system. It is good to assist with reducing stress, nervous tension, burnout, neuritis, and neuralgia.

Contraindications

There aren’t any known contraindications, but precaution is given to those who are pregnant. Clary Sage oil is an emmenagogue. This means that it stimulates or increases menstrual flow. Since Clary Sage oil is also indicated as a hypotensive, you should use caution if you have low blood pressure, or have a history of low blood pressure. I have mentioned several precautions, but there are no known contraindications for Clary Sage Oil. I should mention that these precautions should not be confused to mean Clary Sage oil has contraindicated affects in the mentioned situations.

Aromatherapy is offered as an add-on to most of my treatments. If you are interested in trying it during a massage or our private yoga session, don’t hesitate to ask me. This oil has quickly become one of my favorite of oils to use!

Onyeka