Clary Sage
Salvia Sclarea
Clary Sage Oil is a fragrant oil popularly used in aromatherapy to reduce stress. It has natural antibacterial properties and is used a lot in women's alternative medicine as it can be used topically to treat menstrual pain, as well as helping women regulate their cycle and hormones. It is also used to treat muscular pain and depression.
History of Clary Sage Oil
Clary Sage Oil is derived from the Salvia Sclarea herb, which originates from Italy, France and Syria. Historically, the seeds from the plant were originally used to help with eye health, but the use of the actual oil is a modern development as its properties are now used in a lot of beauty regimes and products. Since the discovery of the oil, it has enabled the alternative medicine industry to have breakthroughs in relation to women’s health, as the oil is used to help with menstrual pain, cramps and mental health for women during menstruation. It is also incredibly popular with skincare, as it soothes skin, irritation and inflammation.
So, why is Clary Sage Oil popular in modern alternative medicine?
Since its discovery, Clary Sage Oil is popular in alternative medicine mostly for women’s health, as it has been proven to help with cramping, other pains during menstruation as well as helping women keep hormonal and mental balance which can be particularly difficult for some women who have a history of chronic menstrual pain. Whether it is used in aromatherapy, or mixed with a carrier oil and applied to the areas where pain can occur (pelvis, lower back, thighs and sometimes the neck), it is an excellent natural remedy for women avoiding taking man-made medication, or simply wanting to try a natural alternative.
Clary Sage Oil can be combined with a carrier oil which can be applied on to the pelvis to help soothe menstrual pain. If you are a male wanting to use Clary Sage Oil, this is still incredibly valuable to have in your collection as it can be used in massage oils after sport, or if you are struggling with a particular chronic muscle pain.
We absolutely love Clary Sage Oil. We believe it is incredibly effective for aches and pains, and for women who are looking to try alternative options to soothe menstrual pain and hormonal imbalances, we highly recommend this!
Extracting Clary Sage Oil
There are a number of methods that can be used to extract essential oils, but the most common are cold pressing and steam distillation, as these are used more commercially. Steam distillation involves using steam to extract the oil using heat, and then the condensed water and oil solution is separated, leaving you with pure Clary Sage oil. Cold pressing means exactly what it says - using no heat, and a cold pressure to press on to the plant and extract the oil from it. Both have their benefits, and steam distillation is often considered a less damaging/invasive process and in some cases, can yield more oil.
Can I make Clary Sage Oil at home?
Depending on how pure you want it to be, you can create Clary Sage Oil at home in two ways. The first way is using alcohol to extract the oil, and can take anything between 1-2 weeks to create the oil. You can achieve this through storing the sage leaves packed tightly in a bottle with enough alcohol to cover them. After the two week process is up, strain the leaves from the liquid and what you are left with is the oils.
The second way to create the oil is using a carrier oil to absorb the flavours and some of the properties of the sage plant. Whether you use Olive, Almond or Jojoba oil - it’s completely up to you. Just pack a bottle full of the leaves and then fill the rest of the way with oil. Leave to sit for a week and after that, you have a mixture ready to use, depending on what you want it for! This is a cheap and quick way to make the oil, but does not enable you to do a full extraction - so it depends what your goal is with the oil and how pure you need it to be. Some may prefer to create their home remedies as some brands of Clary Sage can be expensive, so if you aren’t ready to fork out on a bottle just yet - you can create your own in the comfort of your own home!
Can I make Clary Sage Oil at home?
Depending on how pure you want it to be, you can create Clary Sage Oil at home in two ways. The first way is using alcohol to extract the oil, and can take anything between 1-2 weeks to create the oil. You can achieve this through storing the sage leaves packed tightly in a bottle with enough alcohol to cover them. After the two week process is up, strain the leaves from the liquid and what you are left with is the oil.
The second way to create the oil is using a carrier oil to absorb the flavours and some of the properties of the sage plant. Whether you use Olive, Almond or Jojoba oil - it’s completely up to you. Just pack a bottle full of the leaves and then fill the rest of the way with oil. Leave to sit for a week and after that, you have a mixture ready to use, depending on what you want it for! This is a cheap and quick way to make the oil, but does not enable you to do a full extraction - so it depends what your goal is with the oil and how pure you need it to be. Some may prefer to create their home remedies as some brands of Clary Sage can be expensive, so if you aren’t ready to fork out on a bottle just yet - you can create your own in the comfort of your own home!
Bergamot Oil Varieties
Clary Sage Oil Varieties
Clary Sage is also known by its botanical name, Salvia Sclarea, and Salvia itself has over 250 species and multiple varieties in that, but it’s crucial that if you are searching for Clary Sage by its botanical name that you are specific. Some variations of Salvia can be used as a recreational drug - so make sure that you pick the right one if you are placing an order with its botanical name! Within Salvia Sclarea, there are over 10 cultivars (plant variety) within it.
So, how do I know which variety of Clary Sage Oil I should use?
Like most essential oils, you really have to decipher what works best for you. That could be through doing a lot of research, or word of mouth. Or, buying a few different varieties from multiple suppliers and giving each of them a trial. Of course, we understand that if you are not looking to spend $$ on essential oils you’ll want a better idea of what will work best for you. So, our advice is to figure out what you need to use the oil for, and read up on multiple brands and concentrates before making your purchase. Some Clary Sage Oil can be quite expensive, so reading reviews and understanding what kind of oil will cater to your needs is imperative before you buy one.
For example, you may be looking to purchase the oil purely because you want to create a blend at home, so you are less likely to be picky on the type that you buy as it’s mostly to scent your home. Alternatively, you may be looking for one that will specifically help with your agonizing menstrual cramps - in which case you’d want to be thorough with your research, especially if you are investing in a pricey oil to cater to that need.
What is your favourite variety of Clary Sage Oil? We love hearing your stories. Feel free to submit yours to the Essentially Yours team today!
So, how do I know which variety of Clary Sage Oil I should use?
Like most essential oils, you really have to decipher what works best for you. That could be through doing a lot of research, or word of mouth. Or, buying a few different varieties from multiple suppliers and giving each of them a trial. So, our advice is to figure out what you need to use the oil for, and read up on multiple brands and concentrates before making your purchase. Some Clary Sage Oil can be quite expensive, so reading reviews and understanding what kind of oil will cater to your needs is imperative before you buy one.
For example, you may be looking to purchase the oil purely because you want to create a blend at home, so you are less likely to be picky on the type that you buy as it’s mostly to scent your home. Alternatively, you may be looking for one that will specifically help with your agonizing menstrual cramps - in which case you’d want to be thorough with your research, especially if you are investing in a pricey oil to cater to that need.
What is your favourite variety of Clary Sage Oil? We love hearing your stories. Feel free to submit yours to the Essentially Yours team today!
Benefits of Clary Sage Oil
Clary Sage Oil was originally used to treat issues associated with the eyes, and in modern day alternative medicine it has become increasingly popular for women, as it is proven to help with menstrual issues (hormonal and physical) as well as childbirth. It’s natural pain relieving properties have made it incredibly popular in treating muscular pain, and of course it is brilliant when used in aromatherapy, too.
So, what are the benefits of Clary Sage oil?
Relieves pain associated with menstruation
Some have reported that their pain is alleviated
within 20 minutes when using Clary Sage Oil to treat menstrual cramps! In some cases, it can help
to regulate your cycle, which is a great option
if you aren’t a fan of hormonal pills.
Balances hormones
Clary Sage Oil can help you feel more balanced,
especially when your hormones are constantly changing
(for women, particularly when you are menstruating).
Relieves stress and anxiety
Whether it’s used in aromatherapy, or blended with a carrier oil to make a soothing rub, Clary Sage has been proved to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety, and can be the perfect remedy to calm you. Popping a few drops in your electric diffuser is also effective, and mixing it with another stress reliever like Lavender can help to aid restful sleep.
Can help induce childbirth
Often known as the essential oil associated with women’s health, Clary Sage has been used to help induce childbirth, as well as be a natural remedy to help with the pain that women experience when giving birth.
Please note that the benefits of using Clary Sage Oil may vary from person to person. It’s all down to how you respond and whether you choose to create your own blends at home.
Uses of Clary Sage Oil
Clary Sage Oil was originally used not for its oil, but for its seeds. They were used to treat a number of problems associated with the eye, and the plant was known for benefitting the eye above anything else. When Clary Sage Oil was discovered, it was, and still is used for women’s health specifically. Its properties are incredibly successful when treating menstrual cramps and childbirth, as well as balancing women's hormones.
Aromatherapy
Clary Sage Oil is popular in aromatherapy as it can be used to restore calm
and alleviate stress and anxiety. It also blends beautifully with a number of
other essential oils.
Meditation
If you are new to meditation and find it difficult to get yourself ‘in the zone’,
Clary Sage Oil is great to set the mood of the room and create the type of environment needed to meditate and feel calm.
Relieving menstrual pain
As previously mentioned, using Clary Sage Oil has been proven to help with menstrual pain, and in some cases women have reported an improvement in pain within 20 minutes of application.
Natural antidepressant
Studies have shown that using Clary Sage Oil has reduced cortisol in patients, often associated with anxiety and depression. Another study with menopausal women who often experience feelings of depression due to hormonal changes, have benefitted from using Clary Sage Oil.
Relieving muscle pain
Just like relieving menstrual pain (generally caused by the muscles in the womb), Clary Sage Oil is an overall excellent remedy for muscle pain.
Skincare
When mixed with a carrier oil, the calming and anti-bacterial properties in Clary Sage Oil can help with sensitive skin, and keeps it supple and smooth, too!
Blends well with
Here at Essentially Yours, we love sharing our tips, tricks and knowledge on how you can get the most out of your essential oil collection. Whether it’s understanding the history behind a particular oil, or expanding your knowledge on what you could use your essential oils for - our website has all the information you’ll need. In this blog we are specifically going to be talking about Clary Sage Oil and what it blends well with. So, if you want to learn more - keep reading!
Jojoba Oil
One of our favourite carrier oils, Jojoba Oil pairs well with Clary Sage Oil and can work as a daily moisturiser or to target a specific area where muscular pain is occurring. As Clary Sage Oil is used mostly in women’s health, mixing it with Jojoba Oil and integrating it into your daily routine during your menstruation period can help to reduce cramps and stress during this time.
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Coconut Oil
Thick, creamy and full of nourishing vitamins and fats, Coconut Oil pairs well with Clary Sage Oil if you are looking for a night time treatment, especially for dry skin, nails and hair.
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Almond Oil
Almond Oil is lightweight and the slightly sweet scent complements Clary Sage Oil well. It can be used to make a natural moisturiser or combined with another carrier oil like Coconut Oil which is solid at room temperature to make a natural soap or, if you have sugar granules, a body scrub.
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Geranium Oil
Both Clary Sage Oil and Geranium Oil have a musky spiciness to them, which combined together creates a beautiful natural perfume, or as a natural air freshener that can be combined in an electric diffuser.
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Lavender Oil
One of the few essential oils that pair with practically every other on the market, Lavender Oil is soothing and floral, which complements the herby aroma of Clary Sage. Whether used as a massage oil or to create a blend which helps you to sleep, this blend is probably one of our favourites.
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Cedarwood Oil
Similar to Lavender Oil, Cedarwood Oil tends to complement multiple essential oils even though it has a distinct scent in itself, it also layers well with others. Cedarwood Oil is versatile, and works beautifully with Clary Sage Oil to make a double-action muscle pain rub.
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Tea Tree Oil
Medicinal and sharp in scent, Tea Tree Oil is often used in beauty products and creams, whether they are made commercially or you’ve made something at home. When blended with Clary Sage Oil it can be used to create a nourishing hair mask, or DIY creams and ointments.
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