Clary or clary sage essential oil is incredibly popular. And it has great health and wellness benefits. Find out more about clary sage oil below.
Pros: Clary sage oil is a great relaxant, anti-depressant, and pain killer. It's also anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.
Cons: Aromatherapists believe clary sage has estrogen-like nature and should not be used in persons with estrogen imbalances. It is also believed to induce childbirth.
Precautions: Always check with your doctor before using clary sage oil.
Clary Sage Essential Oil Properties
Here you can browse through a few properties of clary sage oil.
NameThe botanical name for clary or clary sage is Salvia sclarea. Make sure to verify this name before buying the essential oil.
Color & ScentClary sage essential oil is typically colorless to pale yellow. And it has a sweet, herb-like smell.
CompoundsOver 55 compounds have been identified in clary sage oil. The main compounds include linalyl acetate (which makes up about 55% of the oil), and linalool (15%). Other compounds in clary sage include: alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineol, beta-pinene, caryophyllene, geranyl acetate, germacrene, limonene, myrcene, neryl acetate and sabinene.
Clary Sage Oil Benefits
The compounds mentioned above have tremendous effects. Here are just a few benefits of clary sage essential oil.
1. Clary sage oil is relaxing
This is one of the main reasons clary sage oil is so popular. It truly has relaxing and anti-stress effects. In fact, a 2013 study proved as such. The study involved comparing the respiratory and blood pressure of 34 female patients with low bladder control awaiting a urodynamic assessment.
A 5% clary sage and almond oil mix was placed on an aroma pad 1 foot from the nose and patients were asked to breathe these vapors in for 60 minutes during the exam.
The results showed that clary sage essential oil worked exceptionally well to relax the patients during the exam. And, clary sage was actually found to be more effective than lavender essential oil!
The study went further to identify linalyl acetate as the compound responsible for relaxing the blood vessels and so reducing the blood pressure in patients.
Isn't clary sage amazing? So whenever you need to destress and relax, reach for your clary sage oil!
2. It helps with depression too
A 2010 animal study assessed the antidepressant effects of inhaling clary sage, chamomile, lavender, and rosemary essential oils. Of all the oils tested, a 5% concentration of clary sage oil had the strongest anti-stress and anti-depressant benefits on the animals under study.
So reach for clary sage when you're feeling a little blue!
3. Clary sage is great for pain
Here is another great benefit of clary sage oil. It works wonders for pain, especially severe menstrual pain.
A 2012 study asked 24 outpatients diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea (which is severe menstrual pain that affects normal daily activity) to use a clary sage mix on their stomach.
The mix was a 2:1:1 ratio of lavender, clary sage and marjoram essential oils diluted in an unscented cream at a 3% concentration. Researchers asked the group to massage their lower stomach from the day of their last menstruation until the start of their next period.
The results showed the women experienced pain relief and a reduced duration of menstrual pain. Amazing right! And the compounds, linalyl acetate and linalool, provide these benefits.
4. Clary sage is anti-cancer
A 2009 study showed that clary sage oil had cytotoxic effects against human leukemia cancer cells. And several compounds including germacrene, linalool and alpha-pinene were attributed with these cancer-killing benefits.
5. It is anti-inflammatory
A 2002 study noted the main compounds in clary sage oil - linalool and linalyl acetate - are tremendous anti-inflammatory agents. So you can use clary sage to reduce skin redness, calm irritation and more.
6. It is antibacterial
Clary sage is pretty effective against bacteria, even multi-drug and antibiotic resistant bacteria. And this 2015 study clearly demonstrates this.
It tested clary on clinical bacterial strains isolated from patients with wound and skin infections. And the results clearly showed clary sage killed all the bacteria involved.
So you can use clary sage to help your wounds heal and prevent infections! Way to go clary!
7. Clary sage is anti-fungal too
Besides being antibacterial, clary sage has also demonstrated potent anti-fungal effects. Several studies, including this 2013 one involving clinical isolates of the Candida species, verify and validate these claims.
8. Clary sage is a great repellent
A 2014 study tested the repellent effects of clary sage essential oil (and other oils). The results showed that while the oil was not as potent as DEET, it was able to provide similar repellent effects. As such, clary sage can be used as an all-natural repellent alternative.
Clary Sage Oil Uses
You have already seen the benefits of clary sage oil. So how to use clary sage oil? Let's see some uses of the essential oil.
InhalingYou have seen proof that clary sage is relaxing and anti-stress. And it is a potent sedative. So a little goes a long way with this essential oil. You can add 1-2 drops of the essential oil to your diffuser to get relief from headaches, depression, anxiety and stress.
Clary sage also blends really well with bergamot, chamomile, geranium, lavender, marjoram, rosemary, sandalwood and ylang ylang.
You can also try the mixes used in the studies mentioned above. For relaxation, try adding 5 drops of clary sage oil to a carrier oil and inhaling deeply for 1 hour. Use this same mix if you're feeling down or depressed.
Massaging
Before trying clary sage oil on your skin, you should do a skin patch test. Add 3-4 drops of clary sage to 1 teaspoon of your favorite carrier oil and dab a little on the inside of your elbow or the back of your ear. Monitor the area for a day.
If you see any redness or feel a burning sensation wash the area immediately. If you don't feel these effects, then you aren't sensitive to the oil and you can use it in a massage blend.
Again, you can try the mix (mentioned above) that the patients used for treating severe menstrual pain. Add 2 drops of lavender, 1 drop of clary sage, and 1 drop of marjoram essential oils to one and a half teaspoons of unscented cream or carrier oil. Massage the mix on any painful area for welcome relief.
More Precautions
Due to the sedative effects of clary sage oil, it is not recommended for persons who suffer from low blood pressure.
In addition, aromatherapists believe clary sage behaves like the hormone estrogen and so should be used with caution in women with hormonal imbalances. Many also suggest clary sage can induce childbirth and reduce milk production in lactating mothers.
Therefore, always check with your doctor before trying clary sage essential oil.
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