Common Name: |
Cleareye |
Other Names: |
Clary Sage, Muscatel Sage |
Botanical Name: |
Salvia sclarea |
Family: |
Lamiaceae |
Location: |
United States, Mediterraen regions, Russia, SW and C Europe to C Asia |
Cultivation: |
Well-drained to dry, neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Salvia miltiorhiza needs moist, sandy soil; tolerates partial shade. Most sages dislike damp conditions and low light in winter; they are often hardier in dry, sunny positions. Sages grown in a greenhouse are prone to spider mite, aphids, and whitefly. Many sages become woody and sparse with age and should be replaced every 4-7 years. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown in spring (species and annuals only); by basal or softwood cuttings in spring and summer; by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and early autumn; by division (S. miltiorhiza). Salvia lyrata, S. sclarea and S. viridis may self-sow freely. Salvia greggii is grown as an annual in areas with cold winters. |
Harvest: |
Leaves are picked for immediate use, or before flowers open for oil distillation and drying; dried leaves are used in infusions, liquid extracts, and tinctures. Roots are lifted in late autumn and winter, and dried for pills, decoctions, and tinctures. Ripe seeds are dried for use in macerations, or pressed for oil. Flower spikes are cut in summer. Galls (S. pomifera) are picked in spring, and candied. |
Height: |
1m (3ft) |
Width: |
60cm (24in) |
Variations: |
Var. turkerstanica Has pink to white bracts, and pale blue and white flowers |
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Hardiness: |
Z4-9 |
Extraction: |
Steam Distillation |
Parts Used: |
Leaves, flowers, seeds, oil |
Color and Odor: |
The essential oil is pale yellow in color with a sweet, slightly floral, nutty and musty scent. |
Background: |
Clary Sage was highly esteemed in Europe during the Middle Ages. It was introduce into Britain in 1562. In Germany it is used for making "Muscatel" wine and also as a substitute for hops in making beer. The mucilage from clary sage seeds has been used to clear the eyes of foreign particles. In Jamaica, clary sage decoction is boiled in coconut to make a remedy for scorpion stings, and the leaves of clary sage an vervain are used in warm aromatic baths. |
Properties: |
Tonic, sedative, hypotensive, anticonvulsant, euphoric. A bitter, astringent, warming herb with mucilaginous seeds and a vanilla-balsam aroma. It relaxes spasms, aids digestion, stimulates the uterus and estrogen production, calms nerves, controls vomiting, and is reputedly aphrodisiac. |
Planet: |
Mercury |
Element: |
Air |
Magical Influences: |
Euphoria, calm, dreams. |
Uses: |
- Circulatory SytemHelpful for reducing high blood pressure.
- Respiratory SystemRelaxes spasms in asthma due to anxiety or other emotional tension.
- Reproductive SytemVery useful for treating PMS and period pains. Can also be beneficial for treating infertility.
- Nervous SystemClary sage's euphoric quality is very good for treating nervous disorders including depression (nervous and post-natal), fearfulness, panic, paranoia and hysteria. Also useful for general debility, and in convalescence.
- Muscular SystemPowerfully relaxant, useful for muscular tension especially when due to mental or emotional stress.
- EmotionsThe forceful, profoundly heady and euphoric quality of clary sage is seductive and warm, calming paranoia and stimulating sexuality. Clary sage encourages vivid dreams and dream recall.
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Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for vomiting, poor appetite, and menstrual complaints. Externally for foreign bodies in the eye or skin (seeds), minor injuries, and ulcers. |
Culinary Uses: |
Fresh young leaves are made into fritters. Flowers can be added to salads and made into tea. |
Economic Uses: |
Young leaves are infused with elderflowers to give a muscatel bouquet to Rhine wines; also used to flavor vermouth, beers, and liqueurs. "Muscatel oil" has an ambergris aroma and is used in soaps and cosmetics, and as a fixative in perfumery. |
Blends: |
CIRCULATORY |
RESPIRATORY |
REPRODUCTIVE |
Clary Sage 6 |
Clary Sage 4 |
Clary Sage 6 |
Lavender 3 |
Benzoin 3 |
Geranium 3 |
Melissa 2 |
Sandalwood 3 |
Marjoram 2 |
|
NERVOUS |
MUSCULAR |
EMOTION |
Clary Sage 5 |
Clary Sage 5 |
Clary Sage 5 |
Rose 3 |
Rosemary 4 |
Ylang-Ylang 4 |
Frankincense 3 |
Coriander 4 |
Cedarwood 3 |
Warning: |
Contraindicated during pregnancy. |
Bibliography: |
Aromatherapy Blends and recipes by Franzesca Watson Copyright © 1995 Thorsons, Harper Parker Publishing Inc. Pp 90-91 Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham Copyright © 1989 Llewellyn Publications, Inc. Pp 75-76 The Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. Pp.353-356 |
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