Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Organic Clary sage from Provence

Clary sage essential oil is traditionally recommended to treat female discomfort particularly during the menopause. It's a tonic whose essential oil is also reputed to combat hair loss. Clary sage essential oil is known to have a regulating effect on oily hair and oily skin. Caution: Not to be confused with common sage, which is neurotoxic and abortifacient, unlike this species, which isn't toxic at all.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Suitable

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Suitable

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Appropriate

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Appropriate

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

    Appropriate

Features

Properties and uses

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Leaves and flowering tops

Botanical name

Salvia sclarea Linnaeus

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Properties and uses

Clary sage essential oil is traditionally used for: Hair loss, alopecia, decreased libido, menopause

Health

Wellness

Beauty

Fragrance

Find out more

Because of its sclareol content, clary sage essential oil is traditionally known to have mimetic effects on female hormones and regulates menstrual cycles. It helps support women with irregular or painful periods as well with the perimenopause and menopause.

Properties

Clary sage essential oil is recognised for its health properties:

  • Helps regulate menstrual cycles thanks to the oestrogen-mimetic effects of sclareol

  • Antispasmodic

  • High in antimycotic and anti-infectious active ingredients

Uses

Clary sage essential oil is traditionally used to improve the following conditions:

  • Amenorrhoea (absence of periods), painful periods, pre-menstrual syndrome

  • Perimenopause, menopause, hot flushes

  • Fungal infections

  • Circulatory disorders, varicose veins, haemorrhoids

In practice

Feminine relief: Mix with your oil blend. Gently massage your blend into the lower abdomen.

Precautions

  • Not for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by children.

  • Do not use in cases of mastosis or a history of hormone-dependent cancer (breast, ovary, endometrium), due to its "oestrogen-like" effect.

  • Women should be cautious because of its hormonal influence: talk to your doctor. For oral use only by therapists.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Certain natural compounds contained in this essential oil may present a risk of allergy for certain sensitive individuals when the essential oil is incorporated into a cosmetic composition (in accordance with the 7th Amendment to the European Cosmetics Directive (2003/15/EC)): linalool and, to a lesser extent, limonene.

  • As a general rule, always test your product in the crease of the elbow at least 48 hours before use.

  • For use as a cosmetic ingredient, please refer to the specific precautions.

Find out more

The lunar cycle is reputed to influence the female menstrual cycle, and sage, which has properties similar to female hormones, is often associated with the moon. An Italian saying perfectly illustrates this synergy: "Sage grows well in gardens where the woman rules the roost" . Thanks to its many virtues, clary sage is traditionally used to effectively combat disorders linked to the female menstrual cycle (painful periods, absence of periods, premenstrual syndrome, menopause…).

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Carrier Oil or Macerated Oil

Female sexual fatigue (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingLow energy, fatigue

  • Roman chamomile essential oil: 2 ml

  • Ylang-ylang essential oil: 2 ml

  • Clary sage essential oil: 1 ml

Use: 4 drops of the mixture applied to the lower spine 2 times a day for 1 week.

Nervousness mix (R. Wilson)

Health & wellbeingNerve pain and disorders

  • 1/8 ounce (≈ 3.5 g) jojoba carrier oil

  • 4 drops of clary sage essential oil

  • 3 drops black spruce essential oil

  • 2 drops laurel essential oil

  • 1 drop benzoin oleoresin or absolute

Directions: Mix the essential oils in the carrier oil.

Use: Apply as a fragrance or inhale directly from the bottle when needed.

Amenorrhoea (absence of menstruation) (D. Festy)

Health & wellbeingGynaecological issues

  • Clary sage essential oil: 3 drops

  • Green aniseed essential oil: 2 drops

  • Evening primrose oil: 3 drops

Use: Massage the lower abdomen with this mixture, 2 times a day, for 3 weeks, then stop for 8 days and start again 2 times a day, 15 days a month, until your period returns.

Aroma-Zone note: If your cycle does not quickly return to normal, it is best to consult a doctor.

Hot flushes (D. Festy)

Health & wellbeingHormonal and metabolic disorders

  • Clary sage essential oil: 2 drops

  • Olive carrier oil: 1 teaspoon

Use: Dilute the essential oil in carrier oil. Before the menopause: swallow 3 times a day from the 7th to the 21st day of the cycle. After the menopause: swallow 3 times a day for 20 days, to be repeated, but always by first taking a break of one week a month.

Excessive sweating (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingHormonal and metabolic disorders

  • Palmarosa essential oil 2 drops

  • Cistus essential oil 2 drops

  • Rose geranium essential oil 2 drops

  • Clary sage essential oil 1 drop

Use: 2 drops of the mixture applied to the skin 2 times a day.

Sports oil (H. Baron)

Health & wellbeingMuscles and joints

For 50 ml of lotion:

  • Arnica macerate: 50ml

  • Rosemary essential oil: 10 drops

  • Lavender essential oil: 5 drops

  • Sage essential oil: 5 drops

Directions: Mix all the ingredients and leave to stand for a few days before use.

Use: Massage into sore muscles.

You can pour a little of this mixture into a hot bath to relax the body after muscular exertion.

Menopause-related disorders (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingHormonal and metabolic disorders

  • Green aniseed essential oil: 2 drops

  • Clary sage essential oil: 2 drops

Use: On 1/4 sugar, twice a day, in addition to 2 capsules of rose hip oil per day or 2 capsules of evening primrose oil.

Premenstrual tension - "PMT relief" essential oil cocktail (N. Purchon)

Health & wellbeingHormonal and metabolic disorders

  • Bergamot essential oil: 2 teaspoons

  • Roman chamomile essential oil: 1/2 teaspoon

  • Clary sage essential oil: 1/2 teaspoon

  • Rose geranium: 1/2 teaspoon

  • Grapefruit essential oil: 1/2 teaspoon

Use: Stimulate the immune system by scrubbing the skin with a soft bristle brush before taking a shower. Dilute a few drops of this cocktail of essential oils in a little carrier oil and start by massaging your feet, then, still using circular movements, linger on your legs, torso and arms. Don't wait until you're feeling really unwell, use this treatment every day. You can also pour a little of this mixture into the bath (previously diluted in a little solubol: 1 drop of the mixture for 4 drops of Solubol) or put it in a diffuser. Finally, diluted in alcohol, you can also use it as eau de toilette. Aroma-Zone note: Grapefruit and bergamot essential oils are photosensitising. Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this product. You can replace them with furocoumarin-free grapefruit and bergamot essential oils, which are not phototoxic.

Bibliography

1

'Huiles essentielles - 2000 ans de découvertes aromathérapeutiques pour une médecine d'avenir'

Dominique Baudoux

2

Aromatherapy

Dr Jean Valnet - Éditions Maloine

3

"L'Aromathérapie exactement"

P. Franchomme and Dr D. Pénoël

4

'La Bible de l'aromathérapie'

Nerys Purchon

5

"ABC des huiles essentielles"

Dr Telphon

6

Aromatherapy

Nelly Grosjean

7

'Les huiles essentielles pour votre santé'

G. Roulier

8

'Les cahiers pratiques de l'aromathérapie française - Pédiatrie'

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris

9

Aroma-News newsletters

The NARD association

10

'Aromatherapy - Healing with essential oils'

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris

11

'Les cahiers pratiques de l'aromathérapie française - Dermatologie'

Dominique Baudoux - Editions Amyris

12

Aroma-Stress

Jean-Pierre Willem

13

Aroma-Minceur

Jean-Pierre Willem

14

30 essential oils

Jean-Pierre Willem

15

'Pratiques de Santé' magazines