Clary Sage
CLARY SAGE
Salvia sclarea
Common Name
Family
Actions
Anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsive, antidepressant, antifungal, antiseptic antimicrobial, antispasmodic, astringent, cholinergic, emollient, emmenagogue, nervine, sedative
Energetics
Externally warming, internally cooling
Edible Uses
The leaves are edible and often used as flavoring in food and beverages around the world. All parts of the flower, stem, and leaf may be used in tea, and it may also be used internally as medicine in appropriate dosages.
Native To
Native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.
Geographic Distribution
Clary sage is widely cultivated throughout the world including parts of central Europe, Russia, England, France, Morocco, and the United States. It does best in more temperate climates.
Botanical Description & Identification
Clary sage is a biennial herb with heart-shaped leaves that appear fine with silver-white-grayish hairs. Its flowers bud into tubular, double-lipped aromatic blooms which can range in color from pale blue, white, or violet-pink and grow to about 4 feet tall. Its flowers first appear a bit spiky and are on the small side. Clary sage's stem is square shape and prefers to grow in well-drained, moist and fertile soil though will do its best in dry soil as well, if tended to often. Its flowers bloom from June to August if given a home in plenty of full sunlight. This plant is also considered deer tolerant and a butterfly magnet. It's also very good at self-seeding and can even become aggressive in some gardens with the right climate.
Key Constituents
Esters as linalyl acetate, geranyl acetate, neryl acetate, alcohols as linalool, sclareol, a-terpineol, a-bisabolol, sesquiterpenes as caryophyllene, germacrene, bourbonene, monoterpenes, oxides, acids, lactones, coumarins, ketones & aldehydes.
Sustainability Issues
None known.
Harvesting Guidelines
Clary sage plant parts shouldn't be harvested until its second year of blooming. Always harvest early in the morning but late enough that the dew has dried. If morning is not possible late afternoon will also do as long as the sun hasn't wilted the plant from too much heat.
Uses
Clary sage is known to:
*Reduce swelling
*Reduce inflammation
*Alleviate symptoms of stings and bite
*Draw out toxins and venom from stings and bites
*Improve symptoms associated with sores and wounds
*Aid the body in mending sores and wounds
*Reduce symptoms of constipation
*Ease emotional stress
*Reduce cramping
*Ease symptoms of depression
*Ease symptoms related to PMS
*Ease symptoms related to nervous system disorders
*Support digestion
*Dispel unwanted microbes, bacteria, and fungus
*Help the body to balance out hormones
*Aid in re-balancing the skin
*Aid is dispelling tumors
*Aid in cleansing the eyes (as an herbal wash)
Clary Sage is useful in the following more common disorders and diseases:
PMS, painful childbirth, menstrual pain, uterine and ovarian cancers, leukemia, thyroid disease, depression, insomnia, urinary incontinence, systolic blood pressure, high cholesterol, Staph and similar infections, constipation, ulcers, boils, sore throat, stings, pink eye,
Most common uses:
Clary sage is most commonly used to support feminine health and hormones, however it has a long history of traditional use as an eye healer and as a remedy to other vision related conditions.
Fun Facts:
Clary Sage is:
* It takes its botanical name from the Latin “clarus”, meaning clear, and it was|
referred to as “clear-eye” by the famous herbalist Nicholas Culpeper in his
“Complete Herbal” (2019).
* Using the leaves as a tea is a natural remedy to clear the eyes of debris, irritants,
or infection.
* Soaking the seeds for a time allows them form a thick thick mucilaginous gel,
making it a useful remedy to draw things out of the skin, including splinters,
thorns, swellings, and according to Culpepper (2019) even tumorous
materials.
* Used in the early Americas to 'strengthen the reins' (kidneys) and ease associated
back pain in both men and women.
* Clary sage leaves were traditionally juiced and drunk after childbirth to help expel
the placenta.
References
Apelian, N., & Davis, C. (2019). The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies: The Healing Power of Plant Medicine.
Culpeper, N., & Foster, S. (2019). Culpeper's complete herbal. Illustrated & annotated edition. New York, Sterling Publishing Company.
Hoffman, D. (1987). The Herbal Handbook: A User's Guide to Medical Herbalism.
Holmes P. Aromatica: a clinical guide to essential oil therapeutics – Vol. I. Singing Dragon, London, 2016.
Holmes P. Clary sage. The International Journal of Aromatherapy, 1993; 5(1): 15-17.
The Herbal Academy Herbarium and Materia Medica. Copyright: The Herbal Academy.
Tisserand R, Balacs T. Essential oil safety. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1995.
McIntyre, A. (2019). The Complete Herbal Tutor: The Definitive Guide to the Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine.
Wood, M. (2008). The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants.
Safety
Clary sage is generally recognized as safe. Due to its uterine-stimulating properties, it should not be used internally during pregnancy unless under the guidance of an experienced practitioner.