Aromatherapy!

Clary Sage

As I start to plan my garden this spring, I’m once again adding more herbs. They smell wonderful and are great for cooking. Plus, they typically seem so hardy. Herbs are also a great source of essential oils. One such plant is Clary Sage.

Clary Sage native to southern Europe, but cultivated worldwide, especially in the Mediterranean region, is a stout biennial or perennial herb up to 1 meter high with large, hairy leaves, green with a hint of purple, and small blue flowers. The oil is obtained by steam distillation from the flowering tops and leaves. Though employed in ancient times and in the Middle Ages for its curative properties, it seems to have fallen into disuse as a medicinal plant, though revived to a certain extent towards the end of the nineteenth century.

Clary sage has been highly esteemed and used for digestive disorders, kidney disease, uterine and menstrual complaints, acne, boils, dandruff, hair loss, oily skin, wrinkles, and as a general nerve tonic. The oil and absolute are used as fragrance components and fixatives in soaps, detergents, cosmetics and perfumes. Clary Sage properties include antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, deodorant, digestive, nervine, sedative, stomachic and tonic.
Clary Sage blends with: Juniper, lavender, cilantro, pine, geranium, sandalwood, jasmine, frankincense, and citrus oils.

Click more for a few recipes that show the diversity of clary sage. Stop by Food For Thought’s custom blending bar for more information or assistance in using clary sage essential oil!

Anxiety Relief

3 drops clary sage
2 drops bergamot
2 drops geranium
1 drop chamomile
1 drop ylang ylang
Add to almond oil for massage or bath oil.

Menstrual Cramps

5 drops Clary Sage
2 drops Marjoram
1 drop Peppermint
Add to apricot oil for a stomach massage or bath oil.

Hot Flashes

10 drops Clary Sage
11 drops Geranium
7 drops Lemon
2 drops Sage
Blend into 30 ml of almond oil and use in the bath or for massage.