Clary Sage Essential Oil Benefits - Hormonal Balance, Sleep, & More
Have you heard about the amazing benefits of Clary Sage Essential Oil? Clary sage is an oil that I recently discovered--and with all of the things it can help with, I'm
I've been excited about essential oils for a long time now, but it wasn't always that way.
In fact, I used to think that essential oils were a scam, but later found out that essential oils really work and ended up writing a lot about essential oils on my site including diving into such details as essential oil emulsifiers, the shelf life of essential oils, and more.
But one of the essential oils that I always thought about trying, but never did, is the one that I am going to be talking about today--that's Clary Sage. I'd heard about Clary Sage Essential Oil benefits numerous times, but I never purchased it. I think I held off because I wasn't sure it would really work, but a few months ago I got really desperate, so I got some.
And believe me, it works.
Before we get into how I ended up using it, let's talk about the many benefits of clary sage essential oil--then I'll tell you my story.
About Clary Sage Oil
Clary Sage is a biennial or perennial herb that grows up to 6 feet in height, otherwise known by its Latin name, Salvia Sclarea. It belongs to the family of Lamiaceae. The oil is sourced from the purple-tinted large hairy green leaves of the plant.
It is a native plant of the northern Mediterranean Basin, as well as in some areas in North Africa and Central Asia.
It is different from sage, Salvia officinalis, which is commonly used in cooking, and has been used for many years in many multiple medicinal and therapeutic ways.
10 Benefits of Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary Sage is mostly known for its hormonal benefits. And for good reason (you'll see what I mean when you read about how this powerhouse of an essential oil helped me with a recent hormonal (ugh) struggle). But clary sage's benefits go way beyond that. Here's more about this wonder essential oil.
Traditionally, clary sage essential oil has been used for many things, but some of these uses, of course, have not been proven.
Some of the traditional uses include skin health, for use in labor, and for digestive health. There are many benefits of clary sage beyond this post, but here are some of the more well-demonstrated uses of this amazing essential oil.
Reduces Cortisol
Cortisol is a stress hormone--so when you are stressed, your body produces more of it.
In this study in Seoul, Korea on post menopausal women, Clary Sage was shown to reduce cortisol plasma levels. Effects on depression were also noted.
Improves Depression
Though clary sage isn't listed in this post about mood boosting essential oils, in this study, clary sage was tested on rats, along with other essential oils to see what the effect on depression would be. Clary Sage had the greatest effect in reducing depressive markers in the rats.
Fights Staph Infections
Due to concerns about the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, some researchers are turning to alternative ways to fight stubborn infections. In this study, clary sage was shown to have antibacterial activity against several infectious agents, including Staphlococcus Aureus.
Possibly Helps Fight Candida
Candida is a stubborn yeast infection that troubles many people. I personally have struggled with it and have talked to many who have fought the battle and failed. To that end, anything that can help fight this beast is a welcome addition to the candida-fighting arsenal. In this study, clary sage essential oil was shown to help fight candida by breaking down its membrane leading to cell apoptosis (cell death).
Lowers Blood Pressure
A study done at the Department of Basic Nursing Science in the Republic of Korea measured clary sage oil’s ability to lower blood pressure in women with urinary incontinence or involuntary urination and found that both clary sage and lavender oil had statistically significant effects on blood pressure.
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial
Extracts of clary sage have been shown to have both antioxidant and antimicrobial qualities and more. (source)
Antifungal
In this study in Belgrade, Serbia, clary sage was shown to have antifungal activity on a number of species including candida albicans, aspergillus, fusarium, and penicillium.
Fights Leukemia Cells
In this study at the Department of Immunology, Hellenic Anticancer Institute in Athens, Greece, sclareol, a compound found in clary sage oil, was found to be effective in creating apoptosis (cell death) for leukemia cells, therein giving hope for future studies in this area.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Linalyl acetate is one of the components that is present in clary sage oil. This study shows how linalyl acetate has been shown to give cardiovascular benefits to those suffering from acute nicotine exposure. The study indicates that future studies on how linalyl acetate and possibly clary sage oil (and other oils) should be studied more in the future for their beneficial effects.
Hormonal Imbalance
This benefit is the one that my experience relates to. As women, we have many issues surrounding our hormones including menstrual pain, mood swings, skin conditions, insomnia, and more. Hormones affect so much and since our hormones fluctuate, things get out of whack. Clary sage has been known to have beneficial effects on hormonal health, bringing balance and relief in all of the above areas.
Who doesn't want balance like that?
Clary Sage Oil Benefits, Hormones, and Me
So I told you how I got kind of desperate a few months ago, right? Well, it's true.
Basically, I wasn't sleeping well. Insomnia has been an issue for me on and off over the years, but this time it was bad. I was waking up two to three (or more?!?!) times a night and each time I was sweaty. I'd had sweating issues during the night before but they seemed to be related to body temperature regulation and thyroid disease. This time, however, it was almost for sure hormonal.
Fun times. Not.
Anyhow, I wasn't completely sure, but I was pretty sure that my sweating was hormonally driven, so I looked up natural remedies for night sweats and there it was--in the list of clary sage benefits, numerous times the relief of hot flashes and night sweats was listed.
I. needed. that.
Well, let me tell you, this oil isn't cheap, but boy did it work. I just put a little drop into a quality lotion (I have lots of favorites--Jasmine and Ylang Ylang Body Cream from this company, this Intensive Body Cream, and this nourishing unscented body lotion.
You could use any fatty body cream or lotion or carrier oil for this but a pre-made lotion is super simple to use.
Anyway--get this.
Night sweats gone. Not even one since. Amazing.
No more changing my PJs once, twice, or three times in the middle of the night. My washing machine isn't getting run as much and I'm happier. Now, my sleep isn't always amazing, but when I struggle again, I follow the tips in this post about natural insomnia remedies, and typically it isn't that bad.
So the moral of the story is--essential oils aren't a scam. They work. And if you are having night sweats, get this oil. Now.
You're welcome :).
Where to Buy Clary Sage Oil
The essential oil industry is a mess. There are so many companies selling them and every day it seems that there is another company starting to sell essential oils. It's confusing to know what company to trust.
I sought out years ago to find a company that I could trust. You can see the beginning of my search for the best essential oil company or skip to the end here. What's in the middle is interesting too so you might want to read the whole thing.
There are a lot of other resources on my site regarding essential oil testing and pure essential oils, and even myths about essential oil purity. In all, I think you'll find a lot of resources to help you sort out the industry.
Whether you choose the same company that I did or not, please make sure to order Savia Sclarea oil and that you order from a reputable company.
How to Use Essential Oils
How you use Clary Sage Oil will depend on your situation and desired result. For my situation, I just put a drop of the oil blended with a significant amount of body lotion, as indicated above. Here is more information on how to use essential oils so that you can see other options.
Regardless, please make sure to dilute them properly or use an essential oil emulsifier as needed.
Have you ever used Clary Sage Oil?
What benefits of Clary Sage Essential Oil have you noticed?
Augh! I missed this article during the NYR Organic sale last week 🙁 I was going to buy the Clary Sage, and I see a bunch on this list it could have helped me with. Next time, I hit your site first, not google!
I'm sorry you missed it! Their prices are still pretty good though!
None of these studies have been peer-reviewed, and none of them detail to any extent their methodology and data.
Not true. You didn't look into enough detail.
Where should I use clary sage for harmone imbalance and when i must use?????please answer.
I simply dilute it and put it on my wrist or neck.
So I have a condition called PCOS that I use clary sage and progressence for. Everyday I put clary sage on my lower abdomen and the progressence on my forearms and main artery on my neck. There is so much information on diluting oils that it is honestly so confusing. Therefore I think I really probably use more then I should. If I need to use three drops of clary sage a day, can I make that in a lotion or something? Will it have the same affect? Like can I put a whole lot of drops into a homemade lotion or something?
Yes, you can do that! Very good and frugal idea! With a fat based lotion you don't need an emulsifier: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/essential-oil-emulsifier/
Hi and THANK YOU!
Good timing too.
I too have thyroid issues, hypo. My daughter is showing many of the signs as well. She has also had bad menstrual cramps since her first period.
She is a breastfeeding mama of a 7-month-old and I am hoping in your studies you may have run across any info on Clary Sage and lactation.
I appreciate your help.
ps....I followed your first articles on EOs and starting using them because of YOU! Thnx! I wish Rocky Mountain wasn't forced to eliminate all their amazing info from their website. If I had hindsight I would have spent the hours copying every bit of the info that is GONE!!! 🙁
You are so welcome! I can't medically advise but I have seen info that clary sage helps w/ milk supply.
Ever since I read your article on the best essential oils, I have literally been married to your #1 recommendation (I don't want to give a spoiler alert, lol). Both the products and the company are out of this world awesome. Readers, if you have ANY questions, they are there to help you. As a former rep or whatever they call people in their MLM chain of a very well known EO company, I can say without hesitation that your #1 recommendation far surpasses the other companies. Your #1 recommendation also has some very good reference materials regarding usage.
I have issues with thyroid, insomnia and cortisol and just went back to my old standby of Lavender oil. I'm very excited to see how the clary sage will work with these issues. One drop of clary sage sure beats 3 cortisol manager pills! On my way to bed and stopped to check my emails. So glad that I did! Hopefully I'll get more than 1-1/2 hrs of sleep at a time tonight.
You are definitely one of my "go-to" sites when an issue pops up! I can't believe that I missed this one.
Thank you for all that you do AND all of the money and time that you have saved me! Please give yourself a good pat on the back and rest well knowing that your work and all of your research is helping people.
Wow. You really made my day. I'm under a huge pile of some pretty discouraging work here so the timing of your comment was extra special. I often wonder if my efforts are worth it. THANK YOU! If you aren't subscribed yet, you might want to. More to come on oils: https://wholenewmom.com/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-essential-oils-before-you-buy/
Take care!
P.S. I hope you sleep well. I just finished putting Clary Sage on myself :)!
Just a quick note to thank you for how much good you do on your blog.
Thank you :).
D?TERRA offers Clary Sage. I use it daily. Their essential oils are CPTG (Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade, third party tested to make sure they are offered to their purest form. Make sure you study the company you purchase your essential oils from to make sure you get all the beneifts.
Here is my website if you would like to go and view all the products d?TERRA offers.
~Best Wishes~ Jessica
(link removed by blog owner)
Hello Jessica. I appreciate you reading and commenting but please do not use my blog as a platform to market your products. Thank you for your understanding.
I agree to the comments policy
Great info thanks!
Just curious if you are familiar with the idea that you should not use clary sage if you are going to have a drink, since it may cause nightmares. I have heard this but not seen much written about it. Just wondering if anyone else has any info on this possible interaction and reaction.
I read that in a few places.
I've never heard about there being an issue. I've been using Clary Sage for a year now for homones and sometimes I have alcohol before bed. I don't get nightmares. In fact, I can't remember the last time I had one. And if anyone is wondering, this oil completely stopped my night sweats!
Cassie, how do you apply the clary sage oil? I think I'm going to try it on my pulse points and neck tonight as Adrienne suggested!
Thanks for the helpful info!!
Is clary sage estrogenic?
Good question. I just read a post on this by Robert Tisserand, stating that there is no evidence that it is estrogenic. So my answer, based on that, is no. https://roberttisserand.com/2010/04/is-clary-sage-oil-estrogenic/
Hi, love your blog! You had said you put clary sage on your finger with lotion but where did you rub it into on your body for hormonal balance?
Oh sorry - I didn't do any studying on it - I just rubbed it on my neck area. This isn't medical advice. I think you will love the scent.
I started researching essential oils about 18 months ago. Partly because i want to be more clean, partly because i dont trust Doctors and prescriptions, but mainly because my sister was taking a cup of medicine(pills) a day. She is down to only 3, from like 30, she feels so much better and she has dropped almost 50 pounds!
I use clary sage for flea and tick spray, and for hormones. I have read that if your pregnant you should not use it. Have you read anything like that?
Shawn
Hi there. This article by Tisserand states that there have two studies on pregnant women using clary sage and that it wasn't an issue. I recommend that you do your own research: https://roberttisserand.com/2010/04/is-clary-sage-oil-estrogenic/
THanks for your post on clary sage. I love it!!
I'm 71 years old and been taking Organic India turmeric/curcumin (2 tabs daily) for (non-diabetic) neuropathy. Apparently my 38 years old daughter and I both have trouble with curcumin causing hormonal changes. She had terrible hot flashes and I had terrible fibrocystic breast pain (normally well under control though natural progesterone HRT). I did some research and read of another gal using clary sage, rosemary, and frankincense. I applied the blend neat, on each side, twice daily and received great relief. I cut back on the dosage to 1 capsule per day, and I'm doing fine. My other daughter, age 42, uses clary sage (neat) on her tummy for menstrual cramps and has said it helps a great deal!
You are so welcome! So glad to hear of your good results. Please do take care using EOs neat - it can lead to sensitization! Best wishes....
How its use or apply ?
Hi there. I mentioned how I used it for my situation in the post and just added more info. This post gives more information on how to use essential oils: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/how-to-use-essential-oils/
Thank you for your info! I read your posts about finding the best oil company a few years ago, and started ordering from Rocky Mountain Oils at that time. I have always been very happy with their quality and service! I also love clary sage for hormones. I have mixed it with Vitex berry recently, and have been happy with that blend for hormone balance.
I have heard about vitex but haven't tried it. What hormonal issues were you using it for, if I might ask, and how did you take it? Thanks!
So, what company did you purchase the Clary Sage from? I can't determine from reading the article.
Thanks.
Hi Carol,
Just go to the post and you can read more about the company I went with when I started on my hunt for a company to buy from: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/announcing-the-best-essential-oils-company-and-a-great-sale/ . There are a number of links at the bottom of the post leading to various articles on my site.
Thank you for this article and especially for including study references for the listed benefits of Clary Sage EO. I needed this info today. : )
YES, I gave it to a friend of ours about a year ago, and her later age hormonal symptoms were minimized.
I also use it as an older male, and yes, applied hours before, it helps wit age related male ...
However, my wife does not like the smell,so hard to get her to use it to help with her 5 years now, late stage hormonal symptoms.
For several oils I find the odors of a bit strong or unpleasant. I have found putting them on the bottom of my feet seems to still give much of the wanted benefits and keeps them odor from being as much of an issue.
I just started using Clary Sage E.O. last month to try to balance out my hormones. It works really well for cramps, too. I haven't had as much benefit with the insomnia, but it has reduced the night sweats. I don't know how these really work, but they do!
Hi Beth! Yes, I'm reading up on why this works and have found multiple interesting articles, but I haven't found anything definitive. Glad that it works, though!