Clary Sage

Clary sage, which is also known as “Salvia sclarea” is a type of flowering herb that’s mostly found in the Mediterranean Basin. The plant is popular for its oil; the clary sage essential oil which is extracted from both the leaves and buds of the plant. This oil has a pleasant fragrance and can either be used as a skin balm or sniffed as part of an aromatherapy treatment.

Clary sage is easy to cultivate in high-temperature areas. It is mostly grown to be used as a flavouring in tea. People also call it names like ‘eye bright’ and ‘clear eye’ due to its traditional use as a cure for eye problems. There are so many other health benefits that can be gotten from the clary sage. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Clary Sage Reduces Stress

Aromatherapy is the practice of using selected scents to calm a person’s mind, alter their mood, and reduce feelings of anxiety. The olfactory system in our bodies directly impacts the part of our brain that regulates emotion. That explains why the things you smell can make you nostalgic and evoke feelings, both good and bad.

When clary sage oil is administered in aromatherapy, it reduces anxiety by inducing a sense of comfort and happiness. A small study recently carried out on women undergoing a difficult medical test revealed that when inhaled, clary sage essential oil evoked feelings of calmness and lowered blood pressure.

Clary Sage Has Antibacterial Properties

You may be able to create an antiseptic (for some strains of bacteria) by diluting the clary sage oil. Researchers have suggested that the clary sage oil could be used – alone or combined with certain traditional medicines – to treat wounds.

A recent laboratory study shows that clary sage oil was able to cure severe dermatological diseases caused by multiple strains of Staphylococcus bacteria. While carrying out this study, the laboratory used swabs gotten from the bacterial infection of 61 people. Each of these 61 persons had a fatal wound that wasn’t responding to antibiotic treatment. Most of the wounds were caused by diabetes, burns and poor surgical procedures. After careful observation, diluted clary sage oil was discovered to be effective against multiple bacterial strains.

Clary Sage Is A Natural Antidepressant

Series of test have been conducted on both animals and humans to determine how effective clary sage can be, when used as an antidepressant.

A study conducted on rats revealed that clary sage oil could help reduce feelings of depression by acting as an anti-depressor.

Another study conducted on menopausal women shows that when inhaled, clary sage essential oil can reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, and also produce an antidepressant-like effect.

Clary Sage Reduces Menstrual Cramps

Recently, a study was conducted on 48 women who regularly experienced painful menstruation and cramps. A certain number of the women were handed a cream containing clary sage oil and some other essential oils to rub on their lower abdomens everyday, between menstrual cycles. After sometime, the women who applied the cream on their abdomen experienced a more significant reduction in menstrual cramps than the control group.

Its nervine and anti-inflammatory properties promote restful sleep and soothe headaches, respectively, and its uplifting qualities enhance the mood to improve self-esteem and mental strength and to stimulate libido in both men and women. Its anti-spasmodic properties help relieve the sometimes-convulsive discomforts associated with improper digestion, stomach aches, muscle cramps, coughs, and cholera. Furthermore, Clary Sage Oil decreases the symptoms of a cough and cold, effectively deodorizes unpleasant body odors, and supports the balance of hormones.

Used cosmetically or topically in general, Clary Sage Essential Oil is suited to both oily and dry skin types. It exhibits a cooling property that soothes skin afflicted with inflammation and it calms rashes. Addi Naturals uses Clary Sage in its facial toner, Rapha. Its balancing property stabilizes the production of natural oil and sebum to prevent acne breakouts. Its rich antioxidant content tones, tightens, and strengthens the skin and muscles while fortifying hair to reduce hair loss.

Used medicinally, Clary Sage Essential Oil works to eliminate or prevent the spread of harmful bacteria that can promote the development of fungal infections. When applied to wounds, bruises, burns, and irritations, it is known to prevent them from becoming septic, thereby facilitating the healing process. Its anti-inflammatory and stimulating properties make it beneficial for use in addressing muscle aches, joint pain, strains, and sprains. It is also valuable for enhancing circulation, which strengthens the digestive system. With carminative properties, Clary Sage Oil can prevent flatulence and facilitate the body’s elimination of gas in order to decrease the discomfort associated with bloating. When used to address physical ailments related to menstruation, Clary Sage Oil is believed to stimulate and regulate the cycle while reducing any pain, such as cramping.

The main chemical constituents of Clary Sage Bark Essential Oil are: Linalyl Acetate, Linalool, Germacrene-D, alpha-Terpineol, and Sclareol.

LINALYL ACETATE is known to be (a)n):

• Anti-inflammatory
• Astringent
• Analgesic
• Hypotensive

LINALOOL is known to be (a)n):

• Sedative
• Anti-depressant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-anxiety
• Anti-epileptic
• Analgesic
• Sedative

GERMACRENE-D is known to be (a)n):

• Anti-microbial
• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-fungal
• Anti-septic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Stimulant

ALPHA-TERPINEOL is known to be (a)n):

• Sedative
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antibiotic
• Antioxidant
• Anxiolytic
• Antimicrobial
• Antifungal

SCLAREOL is known to be (a)n):

• Antimicrobial
• Effective in diminishing pain, cramps, night sweats, and hot flashes
• Beneficial for balancing hormones