Wellness

Materia Medica of Clary Sage: Salvia sclarea by Kathryn Delaney CCA, CCH, CN

Roots of Alchemy
Salvia sclarea

Today we are creating a Steam Distillation of Clary Sage, also known as Salvia sclarea. Clary Sage is a biennial plant that is a member of the Lamiaceae family. Also known as the “Mint Family,” this is a family of herbs or shrubs that are often aromatic in their nature, and classified by their four-sided stems, leaves that lay with opposite or whorled patterns, and bilabiate flowers.

We gathered the upper cluster of the Clary Sage plants around 8 o’clock a.m., careful to leave the lower flower clusters to develop in the coming weeks for a later harvest. Each top spiking cluster of flowers has a white to purple coloration and is 5-6″ in length.

Salvia sclarea harvest June 2021, Paonia, Colo.

The flowers exhibit a subtle musty herbaceous scent, which becomes more apparent as I fill the biomass flask of the distillation rig. As time progresses and the flask becomes dense with a sea of green, violet and white, my fingertips began to grow a slight stickiness from the resinous flowers. Handling the flowers releases a floral scent into the air that is slightly intoxicating, smelling reminiscent of moments spent frolicking in the garden.

Salvia sclarea Distillation by Roots of Alchemy

Known to encourage calm, confidence, and tranquility, the aroma of Clary Sage is grounding by its nature, encouraging a feeling of wellbeing, and providing emotional support. By some it is considered euphoric. It has also been shown to be an anti-depressant.

This aroma benefits the nervous system treating anxiety, stress, nervous tension and depression. It is said to bring balance, being a general tonic for mental and nervous fatigue. It is calming for the mind and helps to ease away tension.

Additional therapeutic actions of Clary Sage include it being an antispasmodic, deodorant, emmenagogue, hypotensive, nervine, sedative and tonic.

Clary Sage is one of the most important essential oils as a woman’s remedy for all three phases of a woman’s life, the menstrual cycle, childbirth and menopause. It brings relief to menstrual cramps with its antispasmodic and pain relieving actions. During times of childbirth, Clary sage’s relaxant effect eases the anxiety and stress during childbirth. Later in life, during times of menopause it can help relieve hot flashes.

Clary Sage’s combination of its antispasmodic and aromatic nature, as well as its assistance in reducing anxiety and emotional stress, have shown it to be beneficial and recommended for treating asthma. To use in this way one can simply smell an opened bottle of essential oil, place 1-2 drops on a tissue for sniffing, or have a hydrosol handy to mist the air.

Topically, Clary Sage has been used in lotions, and topical preparations to prevent excessive sweating. It helps to regulate sebum production, and is useful for balancing oily skin, greasy hair, and dandruff. Clary Sage essential oil can be easily made into a topical oil treatment by diluting 6-12 drops of pure essential oil into a fixed vegetable oil such as olive oil, sunflower oil, or coconut oil.

Clary Sage is said to promote vivid dreams and dream recall, in this way can bring us into closer connection with the dream world. If you have access to fresh Clary Sage, you can make your own dream pillow by sewing a small rectangular pillow out of cotton cloth, and filling it with freshly dried Clary Sage blossoms. Tuck this small pillow into the pillow case of the pillow you sleep on, to help assist with dream recall and lucid dreams.

The essential oil and hydrosol of Clary Sage is considered non-sensitizing, non-irritating, and is non-toxic. Despite being considered a gentle essential oil, it carries the caution to avoid use during pregnancy because of the emmenagogue action.

Clary Sage essential oil should not be used in combination with alcohol because it’s euphoric action combined with alcohol use can make a person feel overly intoxicated.

For more information on uses of Clary Sage essential oil, and which conditions it benefits, please check out The Esenta Aromaticum App. You can find it here:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/Esenta/id1073202895?mt=8

#aromatherapy#medicinemaking#gardenharvest#essentialoils#hydrosol#chemistry#medicinewitch#medicinemaker#clarysage#salviasclarea

Unknown's avatar

Published by Roots of Alchemy

Kathryn is a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist, Certified Herbalist, Nutritionist and Flower Essence Practitioner. Her experience within the field of holistic health is rooted in Clinical Aromatherapy, raw food preparation, and healing foods preparation. As a practitioner, Kathryn brings her attention to detail through observation, ability to listen on a deeper level, appreciation for the body’s expression, and an investigative interest. She believes that by listening and being watchful of the body and how it carries itself, along with tracking our daily rituals and routines, it allows for a deeper understanding of one’s state of wellness and where it would be most useful to set the attention toward self-care. Kathryn’s interest in plant medicine began at a young age when she realized she had sensitivities to chemicals commonly used in products such as fabric detergent and soap. This led to the discovery of one of her first plant allies, essential oils. Moved by the concept that essential oils have the ability to affect multiple levels of our being, what first provided a non-irritating alternative way to scent herself, laid a pathway into a study of the human body and holistic wellness. After years of her own study and learning medicine making skills, she went on to earn her Certification in Clinical Aromatherapy at the Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy in 2010. While in the Clinical Aromatherapy program she developed a series of Chakra Oils as a meditation tool to help people access and understand their energetic system. Her holistic practice is called Roots of Alchemy, LLC; She also makes all-natural body care and face care products through this company. Moved by learning of how many people were using essential oils inappropriately and experiencing unintentional negative outcomes, Kathryn was inspired to create Esenta, The Aromaticum App in 2016. This is a pocket resource guide to using essential oils safely. Kathryn’s reverence for the power of herbs and food as a primary source of healing was deeply anchored after her mother passed away at the age of 56, nearly ten years ago. After losing her mother, and months of being depressed and eating only minimally, Kathryn began to consider food as a possible route to finding her well-being. Taking purposeful steps in this direction created a shift in her awareness around self-care. She went on to study Healing Diets and Herbalism at the School of Natural Medicine. It was during her study here that she decided to pursue a deeper study with herbs, and through kismet timing and manifestation of a heartfelt wish, found herself studying Medical Herbalism at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism. In addition to her herbal interests, Kathryn has also studied astrology, numerology, and tarot as self-development tools and hand-drew her own tarot deck as part of a ten-year apprenticeship. She weaves imagery with words to allow for a story to open up possibility. Through life’s trials and storms, she has come to witness the mystery of the journey and how often our perceived weakness can lend light which allows one to find their greatest resources of strength. This intersection between our mind, body, emotions, and spirit, lays the foundation for our vital force to actualize. Kathryn developed a deep love for the mysteries and wisdom of the natural world at an early age. She grew up in Boulder, Colorado and has enjoyed a history of hiking and camping throughout the Front Range. Her core areas of clinical interest include skin issues, musculoskeletal concerns, digestive concerns, anxiety and stress management, pain management, nervous system support, restorative formulations, food elimination guidance and support, the emotional thread within wellness, and food preparation assistance, in addition to others.

Leave a comment