The health benefits of clary sage essential oil can be attributed to its properties as an anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, deodorant, digestive, emmenagogue, euphoric, hypotensive, nervine, sedative, stomachic, and a uterine substance.
What is Clary Sage Essential Oil?
Clary sage essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the buds and leaves of the clary sage plant whose scientific name is Salvia sclarea. It is an herb, believed to be a native of Europe, which has been highly praised as a medicinal plant throughout history, particularly owing to its numerous benefits that improve vision health. It is a close relative of common garden sage but has a slightly different makeup. Furthermore, you may be familiar with it as “muscatel oil”, a common name given to clary sage essential oil due to its traditional use of flavoring muscatel wine.
The chief components of the clary sage essential oil are sclareol, alpha-terpineol, geraniol, linalyl acetate, linalool, caryophyllene, neryl acetate, and germacrene-D. As the name suggests, clary sage oil was and still is primarily used as a cleanser for the eyes. It is supposed to brighten eyes, improve vision, and protect its loss due to premature or normal aging.
Benefits of Clary Sage Essential Oil
There are many health benefits that aren’t as well known, which are explained in much greater detail in the following section.
Reduces Convulsions
It calms down and reduces convulsions, whether they are epileptic or arise due to some other nervous disorder or mental condition. Clary sage essential oil brings peace of mind and acts as a sedative for tense nerves. [1]
Relieves Spasms
Clary sage oil is useful in the treatment of spasms and related ailments such as muscle cramps, spasmodic cough, stomachache, and headache. It relaxes the nerve impulses and doesn’t allow uncontrollable spasms to occur. [2]
Prevents Bacterial Infections
This type of essential oil kills bacteria and fungi, curbs the growth and spread of bacterial infections, and also protects against new infections. Studies show that clary sage essential oil is particularly beneficial in curing bacterial infections affecting the colon, intestines, urinary tract, and the excretory system. It is equally effective in inhibiting the bacteria from entering our body through water or food. [3]
Prevents Infections
Wounds will not become septic if clary sage oil is topically applied to them. Its antiseptic qualities can protect the body during surgical recovery and in all types of wounds that are typically hot spots for infections. [4]
Clary sage oil Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Stimulates Sexual Desires
This is one of the most well-known properties of clary sage oil. It is an aphrodisiac, a substance or stimulus that boosts libido and facilitates sexual desire. It is very effective in treating frigidity, psychological problems resulting in loss of libido, and even impotency. Studies have shown it to be equally effective for both, males and females. It affects the hormones and increases testosterone levels, which can increase performance and interest in sexual activities. [5]
Rich in Antioxidants
If you think that your gums are weakening their hold on your teeth, sooner or later, they will start falling out. Speak to a dentist, but it is never a bad idea to use clary sage oil because it has astringent properties. It not only strengthens your gums but also strengthens and tones the skin, muscles, and hair follicles, preventing hair loss and making you look and feel younger. It functions as an antioxidant in this way by tightening up the skin that might be sagging due to the activity of free radicals present in the body. [6]
Skin Care
More specifically, there is an ester present in clary sage essential oil called linalyl acetate, which reduces skin inflammation and heals rashes. Furthermore, it balances and regulates the production of natural oils in the skin, reducing both oily and dry skin and making your skin look young and beautiful. It is recommended to be used directly or mixed with a carrier agent like almond oil to facilitate maximum absorption and effect. [7]
Reduces Flatulence
Clary sage oil, owing to its carminative properties, can eliminate gas as quickly as a needle pops a balloon! It will eliminate excess gas in your body through flatulence, which will reduce the sensation of being bloated. You might find it funny, but gas can actually be fatal when it pushes upwards and hits the delicate organs inside your chest cavity, so a downward movement is always the safest way to expel them. This essential oil also inhibits the formation of gas in the first place. [8]
Regulates Menstruation
If you are having troubles with irregular, obstructed or painful menses, you can try clary sage oil before you spend a fortune on specialized treatment from a gynecologist. There is no need to worry since it has no adverse side effects. It simply stimulates the opening of obstructed menses and makes them regular, while easing the pain. It cures dizziness and mental irritation during menses in cases of the post-menopause syndrome. Furthermore, it can help reduce the symptoms and negative effects associated with menstruation like cramping, bloating, mood swings, and cravings for food, by balancing the hormones that run rampant during this time for women. [9]
Lowers Blood Pressure
Clary sage oil is very effective in reducing blood pressure by relaxing the veins and arteries, thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, and brain hemorrhage. By reducing blood pressure, it widens the blood vessels and allows for increased circulation, resulting in increased oxygenation to the muscles and organ system, boosting your overall metabolic performance. [10]
Acts as a Nervine
Clary sage essential oil is good for your nerves. It sedates nervous convulsions and other disorders such as nervousness, vertigo, anxiety, and hysteria. [11]
Lowers Inflammation
Do you need to calm down? Do you want to concentrate? Or do you simply want to relax and have a good night’s sleep? Clary sage oil can help you with all of these. It reduces inflammations and has an undeniably calming effect. People suffering from chronic stress or anxiety disorders find great comfort by using clary sage essential oil. [12]
Reduces Stomach Disorders
This oil also maintains the health of the stomach and regulates the secretion of digestive juices. In this way, it prevents stomach disorders and helps stimulate efficient absorption of nutrients, digestion of food, and regulation of bowel movements. It also helps in the healing of ulcers. By regulating bowel movements, it can also protect the integrity of your colon and reduce the chances of gastrointestinal conditions. [13]
Eliminates Bad Odor
Buying synthetic deodorants is not only expensive but they also negatively impact the environment. Their pleasant smell only lasts for a short time. Moreover, sometimes they produce skin irritation and allergies. Clary sage oil can be a far better choice as a deodorant because, in diluted form, it serves as an efficient deodorant without any side effects. It is natural, so it doesn’t impact the environment, and its effects last for a longer time. [14]
Promotes Digestion
Clary sage essential oil promotes digestion and relieves symptoms of indigestion. It boosts the secretion of gastric juices and bile, thereby speeding up digestion and easing the process, which relieves cramping, bloating, and abdominal discomfort.
Improves Uterus Health
Clary sage oil helps to maintain the good health of the uterus. It prevents some of the most common uterine problems that women have after menopause, including bleeding, and pain. Furthermore, it regulates hormones like estrogen and ensures the long-term health of the uterus. [15]
Other Benefits
Clary sage essential oil can be used to battle addiction (particularly drugs) and can stimulate a change in mentality towards a positive way of approaching life. Furthermore, it is anti-inflammatory in nature and can treat backaches and joint pain. In terms of skincare, it helps regulate excess sebum production and prevents acne from forming. It also eases labor and reduces labor pain. [16]
Word of Caution: It can enhance the intoxicating effects of alcohol and other narcotics since it is a relaxant and sedative by nature. Heavy dosage can also cause headaches. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid using it since there has not been enough research done on the transference of effects through breast milk to children.
Blending: Clary sage oil blends very well with oils of Lemon, Lime, Orange, and other citrus fruits as well as Lavender, Pine, Juniper, Geranium, Sandal Wood, Jasmine, and Frankincense oil.
