Clary Sage

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(Salvia sclarea)
May ease mild mood changes, cramping and edema associated with menstrual cycle, support healthy breathing and promote restful sleep.

 Info

Clary Sage
Salvia sclarea

Plant Origin: USA
Method: Hydrodiffusion from flowering plant
Cultivation: Unsprayed (grown organically but not certified)
Chemical Family: Ester
Aroma: Nutty, warm, sweet-musky, herbaceous, tobacco tea-like (due to sclareol constituent)
Note (Evaporation Rate): Middle

Key Constituents from GC/MS Analysis: Lot# 111
linalyl acetate 69.07%
linalool 13.21%
germacrene D 1.79%
sclareol 1.76%

Safety Information
Children: Suitable

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Suitable

Medication/Health Issue: No known contraindications.

Therapeutic Uses
Clary Sage essential oil may support, aid, ease, soothe, reduce, calm, relax, promote and/or maintain healthy function of the following:
Antioxidant
Anxiety
Astringent
Bacteria
Blood Pressure
Blood sugar
Bronchitis
Childbirth (may facilitate)
Cholesterol
Circulation
Concentration
Dandruff
Diabetes
Digestion
Epilepsy (relaxing properties)
Endometriosis
Fibrocystic Breasts
Fungal
Hair, greasy, dandruff, regulate sebum
Headaches
Hemorrhoids
Herpes
Hormones
Hot Flashes
Infection
Inflammation
Insect bites
Kidneys
Labor (may accelerate)
Leukemia
Memory
Menopause, hot flashes, anxiety
Menstrual, cramps
Mental Clarity
Muscle aches and pains, fatigue, spasm
Nervousness
Night Sweats
Pain
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Pituitary gland
PMS
Relaxant
Seizure
Skin, dry, oily, ulcers
Sleep
Spasms
Stress
Sweating, excessive
Tension
Whooping cough

Hopewell Essential Oil Blends containing Clary Sage
Absolve
Adagio
Endo Massage
Evening Peace
Freshen Spray
Hair Renew
Helichrysum Substitute Blend
Jubilation
Katee Eva
Revive
Tapestry
Woman Ease

Research
Personalised Treatment Options for Menopausal Women Using Ayurveda and Aromatherapy by Aashish Kanitkar et al
During menopause, Clary Sage oil can help reduce hot flushes, night sweats, palpitations, irritability, as well as headaches and dizziness.

Comparisons for Effectiveness of Aromatherapy and Acupressure Massage on Quality of Life in Career Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Inhaled aromatherapy blend of equal parts Lavender, Marjoram and Clary Sage essential oils significantly increased both the quality of life and sleep quality in working women.

Clary Sage is high in sclareol, which "inhibits the growth of breast and uterine cancer cells in vitro and was slightly more potent than Tamoxifen but was not toxic to normal cells (Sashidhara et all 2007). Summary: Naturally-ocurring sclareol is non-irritant and non-sensitizing. It possesses minimal toxicity and has deomonstrated in vitro antitumoral activity" (Tisserand).

Is Clary Sage oil Estrogenic? by Robert Tisserand
Sclareol has "an interesting anticancer activity, including in vitro action against human breast cancer MCF-7 cells (Dimas et al 2006). An isomer, 13-epi-sclareol, which is also present in clary sage oil, inhibits the growth of breast and uterine cancers in vitro, and was slightly more potent than Tamoxifen, but was not toxic to normal cells (Sashidhara et al 2007). This suggests the possibility that sclareol might actually inhibit estrogen, and might after all have some capacity to interact with estrogen receptor sites. What we do know is that sclareol will not give you breast cancer."

"It is very likely that Clary Sage exerts a regulating action on the pituitary gland. Clary sage is recommended for managing menopause. Blend it with Geranium oil to use in a bath or foot bath" (Holmes, Clary Sage, The International Journal of Aromatherapy).

Menopausal Women: Inhalation of Clary Sage has Antidepressant-like Effect PubMed

PMS Defense: Essential oils of Geranium, Clary Sage and Sweet Orange
PMS Defense is applied just prior to the onset of the menstrual cycle (whenever the user normally begins to experience symptoms). The preferred formula is approximately 3 milliliters of each essential oil blended in 120 milliliters of carrier.

Application Suggestions (See Essential Oil Usage for more information and a Dilution Chart.)

Topical: Dilute with a carrier oil, unscented lotion or unscented cream and apply on area of concern, on inner ankles, wrists and lower back or as desired. Consider using a roll-on applicator for ease of application of prediluted oil.

Since Clary Sage does not have a limiting dilution parameter, we suggest that adults follow the General Guidelines found on the Dilution Chart, which is:
2-3% for daily application
Up to 25% for short-term use

Children: For infants and children, please follow the Dilution Chart on the Babies and Children page.

Inhalation: Diffuse or use a personal Nasal Inhaler

Internal: Clary Sage is suitable for internal use within safe parameters, if such use is deemed appropriate. We feel that internal use is rarely *needed* and should only be used with respect for how concentrated the oils are. HEO does not advocate internal use of essential oils without appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to administer, for what purpose, how much, which essential oils, safety concerns and so on. In our experience, essential oils are generally more effective used topically with proper dilution or inhaled. Kurt Schnaubelt Ph.D. notes that "French aromatherapy literature contains many references to using oils orally." He goes on to note that "generally 1 drop is always enough when ingesting essential oils." A potential toxicity hazard could occur when untrained people use essential oils orally and ingest too much. Keep in mind that while medical doctors or health care practitioners may prescribe essential oils for internal use, they are trained and experienced in the safe application of essential oils. It is not a matter of using "French aromatherapy" or "British" methods, it's a matter of experience and appropriate application.
Click here for more information about internal usage.

Testimonies
The following anecdotal testimonies have not been reviewed by the FDA.
The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure disease.
Information shared on the HEO website is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice given by your trusted health care provider.
We believe that essential oils are provided by the Lord to support our health and well-being.
The Lord is our wisdom, protector and healer.
(Genesis 1:29-30, Ezekiel 47:12)

1. I have no problem using the Clary Sage undiluted. I love all my oils! ~ Linda P.
[HEO's Comment: To facilitate absorption and reduce risk of skin irritation or sensitization, we always dilute the oils we apply topically. Please read the Topical Use section on our Oil Usage page for more information.]

2. I have been using Clary Sage for a while now and just had my cholesterol checked. It went down without me really trying to bring it down until 2 weeks before the test. I have been telling everyone about your oils and how they work. - Kim

3. I apply Clary Sage on my son's neck in an effort to curb the vocal stimming. - Jamie P.

4. I have a friend who has severe asthma. He asked me if there was anything that might help him. I read that Clary Sage is a broncho dialator, so I let him sniff the uncapped bottle, and it helped immediately. He bought Lung Support and asked me to make him and others in his family Clary Sage inhalers, and he says he has not used his rescue inhalers since starting with the oils. Previously he was using the Rx steroids inhalers multiple times a day. He started out using the Lung Support a time or two a day and the Clary Sage inhalers as needed. Now he doesn't have to use either of them often. - Patty N.

5. Use Clary Sage for stalled labor. Apply on your abdomen or rub it on the inside of your ankle right behind your ankle bone near your achilles tendon. That spot is a pressure point for coaxing contractions, so it should be avoided during pregnancy. However, in labor, rubbing that area can cause contractions. - Sheri

6. You have no idea how much your oils mean to folks I work with. My daughter needed to be induced and so we used 8 drops of Clary Sage and 8 drops of Roman Chamomile on the inner ankle bones and her baby came within the hour. It was almost instantaneous as soon as the oils were applied. That was a blessing! - C.P.

7. Clary Sage and Rose Geranium will both help bring on a period, as long as you've already ovulated. Both help to balance hormones. I also found that extra Vitamin C helps too. - Audrey

8. For hormonal sleep issues, I take 1 drop of Vitality every hour on the tongue and 1 drop of Clary Sage on the bridge of the nose and navel. - Naomi

9. MSM combined with Clary Sage seems to have a huge noticeable almost instantaneous calming effect on our daughter. I have used Clary Sage before without such effect. I was wondering if because MSM is a derivative of DMSO, and DMSO has been traditionally used in natural medicine to more quickly wick something into the body, if the Clary Sage was having a more full effect on calming the nervous system because it was getting into the body in a much more quick/higher dose. It was not while we originally used it on her, but rather because she seemed to have sore legs from spasms. The MSM was in lotion form mixed with and then applied with Clary Sage in the form of an essential oil. We were using it for joint pain and muscle spasms, but it had a noticeable calming effect on Ella which seemed beyond the relief of pain. - Laura

10. Brain damage has been reversed with progesterone. I have seen much relief from Clary Sage with seizures, and muscle rigidity caused by neurological damage. I chose Clary Sage because it promotes progesterone. I used Clary Sage diluted at the base of the skull (top of the back of the neck where the skull meets the cervical spine or neck) and also on the bottoms of feet and palms of the hand or inner wrists. I have also seen tremendous relief with Clary Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme diluted in olive oil and applied to these areas and the temples and jaw areas. This article by Dr. Mercola may help: Can This Natural Hormone Actually Heal Brain Injuries and Strokes?- Nora

11. I find that applying the Clary Sage on my ankles is a huge help for hormone balance and helps with my horrible cramps. - Ruth

12. I had an interesting experience with Clary Sage. At the very end of my pregnancy when I was a week over due, I dabbed it on a cloth and put it by my pillow. I thought it smelled AMAZING. I used it in the hospital, and was blown away by how wonderful it smelled. I read someone complain about the scent and thought they were nuts. I actually remember just sniffing the bottle because I loved it After baby was born (not sure how long after), I opened the bottle and thought it smelled horrible. I think that my hormonal needs must have made me enjoy it at the time I needed it. - Melissa

13. I don't normally have bad menstrual cramps, but when I do, they are MISERABLE!! Earlier this week I woke up with some of the worst cramps I've ever had. I walked around hunched over and moaning and then curled up on the couch rocking and squirming in pain. I applied undiluted Clary Sage to my lower abdomen. The pain was gone in a matter of minutes. I felt like a completely different person and was able to walk around like a normal person again! Clary Sage also helps to tame my emotions when I am PMSing. - Sarah

14. I was having great success using Vitality for hot flashes, but I think I need to switch it up and do something different for a while. I'm struggling again. I started using Clary Sage, and I'm seeing better results. - Julie

[HEO's comment: Alternating oils used long-term is a good idea. See our artcile on "Habituation" for more information.]

15. My good friend was overdue, and I rubbed Clary Sage in coconut oil on her ankles, and I have severe PCOS so I did mine too. Her labor jump-started and 2 weeks after I was with her, I got my period! This was just from applying a very small dose to our ankles 2 evenings in a row. It was wonderful! I also use the blends for shingles (and I suggested them to a friend that suffered greatly as I had), and we both use these for immune support. Thank you! I hope I can really regulate my periods! - Jessica

Safety
Clary Sage is noted to be non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing. Tisserand and Balacs suggest that even though Clary Sage is labelled as a emmenagogue (stimulates menstrual flow), it does not imply that the oil is an abortifacient in the amounts used in aromatherapy and, as such, it should pose no danger in pregnancy.

Ron Guba wrote that essential oils are not contraindicated for use in topical application (at a suggested 2% dilution for general massage) and that "emmenagogic effects" notions that label oils as to be avoided in pregnancy "are based on a wrong understanding of the processes that occur during pregnancy."

According to Wildwood, “A common myth in aromatherapy is that massage oils containing essential oils such as Clary Sage, Rose or even Rosemary can cause a miscarriage and hence should be avoided throughout pregnancy. Authors such as Ron Guba, Kurt Schnaubelt, and Chrissie Wildwood have all pointed out that there have been ‘no recorded cases of miscarriage or birth defect resulting from aromatherapy massage using therapeutic applications of any essential oil.'”

Avoid contact with the eyes and other sensitive areas. Essential oils are both lipophilic and hydrophobic. Lipophilic means they are attracted to fat— like the membranes of your eyes and skin. They are also hydrophobic, meaning they do not like water. Applying a carrier oil will create another fat for the essential oil to be attracted to other than the membranes of the eyes or skin. Tisserand suggests: "With essential oils, fatty oil has been suggested as an appropriate first aid treatment, though the advantage of saline [eyewash] is that the eyes can be continually flushed, and this is less easy with fatty oil.” We are not aware of a case where essential oil in the eyes caused permanent injury or long-term discomfort, but if you feel concerned, please call your health care provider.

Pregnancy use
Diffusing Clary Sage gave me a pretty bad round of contractions at 28 weeks when I was pregnant with my second child. - Susan
HEO's Comments: Tisserand/Balacs note that when used in traditional aromatherapy (appropriately diluted etc.), Clary Sage should present no danger in pregnancy. Tisserand/Young (2014) note no hazards or contraindications with Clary Sage during pregnancy.

Reference
Battaglia, Salvatore, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, 2002, pages 187-189.
Davis, Patricia, Aromatherapy: An A-Z, 2nd edition.
Price, Len; Price, Shirley, Aromatherapy for Health Professionals.
Tisserand, R., and Balacs, T., Essential Oil Safety, New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1995.
Tisserand, Robert; Young, Rodney, Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, Elsevier Health Sciences UK, 2013, pages 253-254, 632.
Worwood, Valerie Ann, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, New World Library, 2016, page 541.

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May the Lord guide you continually, preserving your health and watering your life when you are dry. May you be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring full of hope for your future in His care.
From Isaiah 58:11 & Jeremiah 29:11