Clary Sage has a distinctive, bitter-sweet musky aroma with an herbaceous tone that is very tenacious. Like all the Sage family it has a long-established herbal medicine link and in France, Clary Sage goes by the name of ‘tout bonne’ meaning all good. This is also reflected in its common name, Salvia meaning ‘salve’ and Clary taken from the old English ‘to clear’. But what is Clary Sage Essential Oil used for?
In Aromatherapy, Clary Sage has a long association with balancing hormonal health and reducing stress and tension. It can be used as a euphoric and aphrodisiac and is calming to the smooth muscles of the body, meaning it’s an anti-spasmodic, therefore helpful for easing menstrual cramps. Clary Sage its best avoided in pregnancy but can be used in labour.
Clary Sage is a great essential oil to reach for when you need to feel both calm yet uplifted. It has an ability to ground you whilst offering a sense of rising, but gentle, energy.
Where does it come from?
Clary Sage, Salvia sclerea is part of the Sage family; Clary originated in the countries around the Mediterranean. The plant grows to about 80cm with tall pinkish-blue flowers, which are steam distilled for the essential oil.
This oil blends well with other essential oils from the same family, Lamiacea, which includes Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, Melissa and Patchouli. It also blends well with the Citrus and Wood essential oils.
Here are some blends for you to try at home.
Calming yet uplifting diffuser blend
Add the following essential oils to the water in your Aroma Spa Diffuser.
- 2 drops of Clary Sage – Salvia sclera
- 4 drops of Bergamot – Citrus bergamia
- 2 drops of Lavender – Lavandula angustifolia
Diffuser blend to relieve PMT
Add the following essential oils to 20ml of blending oil and apply to the chest, abdomen and lower back
- 3 drops of Clary Sage – Salvia sclera
- 2 drops of Geranium – Pelargonium graveolens
- 5 drops of Mandarin – Citrus reticulata
Or
Diffuser blend to relieve PMT
Add the same essential oils to the water in your Aroma Spa Diffuser
- 3 drops of Clary Sage – Salvia sclera
- 2 drops of Geranium – Pelargonium graveolens
- 3 drops of Mandarin – Citrus reticulata
Diffuser to blend to relieve menstrual cramps
Add the following essential oils to 20ml of blending oil and apply to the abdomen and lower back. Apply the blend up to twice a day during your period when the cramping is the most uncomfortable
- 4 drops of Clary Sage – Salvia sclera
- 3 drops of Cypress – Cupressus sempervirens
- 3 drops of Sweet Marjoram – Origanum marjorana
I hope you enjoy exploring Clary Sage and do let us know how you are using yours.
About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
For more information on Jo Kellett, check out her website or Instagram
