Clary sage

Safety data -- non-toxic, nonirritant, non sensitizing.  Avoid during pregnancy.  Do not use clary sage oil while drinking alcohol; it can induce a narcotic effect and exaggerate drunkeness.

Family -- Laminacea

Synonyms – Clary wort, Muscatel Sage, Clear Eye, See Bright, Common Clary, Eye Bright

Herbal/folk tradition - This herb, highly estimated in the Middle Ages has now largely fallen out of use.  It was used for digestive disorders, kidney disease, uterine and menstrual complaints, for cleansing ulcers and as a general nerve tonic.  The mucilage from the seeds was used for treating tumors and for removing dust particles from the eyes.  Like garden sage, it cools inflammation and its especially useful for throat and respiratory infections.

Aromatherapy/home use

Clary sage is generally used in preference to garden sage in aromatherapy due to its lower toxicity level.

Skin care -- acne, oils, dandruff, hair loss, inflamed conditions, oily skin and hair, opthalmia, ulcers, wrinkles.

Circulation, muscles and joints -- high blood pressure, muscular aches and pains.

Respiratory system -- asthma, throat infections, whooping cough.

Digestive system -- cramp, dyspepsia, flatulence.

Genito-urinary system -- amenorrhea, labor plane, dysmenorrhea, leucorrhea.

Nervous system -- depression, frigidity, impotence, migraine, nervous tension and stress related disorders.

Other uses -- the oil and absolute are used as fragrance components and fixatives in soaps, detergents, cosmetics and perfumes.  The oil is used extensively by the food and drink industry especially in the production of winds with a muscatel flavor.

Distribution -- native to southern Europe; cultivated worldwide especially in the Mediterranean region, Russia, the USA, Britain, Morocco and central Europe.  The French, Moroccan and English clary are considered a superior quality for perfumery work.

Extraction -- essential oil by steam distillation from the flowering tops and leaves.  A concrete and absolute are also produced by solvent extraction in small quantities.

Characteristics -- a colorless or pale yellowy green liquid with a sweet, nutty-herbaceous scent.  It blends well with juniper, lavender, coriander, cardamom, geranium, sandalwood, cedarwood, pine, labdanum, jasmine, frankincense, bergamot and other citrus oils.

Actions -- anticonvulsive, antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, antibacterial, carminative, deodorant, digestive, emmenagogue, euphoric, hypotensive, nervine, regulator, sedative, stomachic, tonic, uterine.

EO137A   Clary Sage Bulgaria  1/3oz     $10.00

EO137B  Clary Sage Bulgaria  1oz         $26.00

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