by Alison Angold | Qualified Aromatherapist | CIDESCO ITEC
Clary sage essential oil 12 easy recipes
Clary sage is a wonderful, versatile oil, with so many different uses. I’ve created 12 easy recipes, using Clary sage essential oil. Click on each, to go straight to the recipe or read on to find out more about this amazing oil.
Anti-inflammatory facial massage oil
Sensitive skin facial massage oil
Hair treatment for greasy hair
Massage oil for painful joints
Cold compress for painful joints or joint inflammation
Bath oil blend for painful joints
Massage oil for tired/sore muscle spasms
Warm compress for muscle spasms
Uplifting anti-depressant massage oil
Relaxing sedating anti-anxiety massage oil
Clary sage diffuser blends
Uplifting & antidepressant diffuser blend
Calming, soothing & sedating diffuser blend
Headaches & migraine relief diffuser blend
Immune system boost diffuser blend
Clary sage essential oil
Clary sage essential oil has many therapeutic actions, which means it has a great many benefits for the body and mind. Here we are going to look at more closely at Clary sage essential oil. Each essential oil has a variety of properties, or therapeutic actions. The therapeutic actions of Clary sage are;
- Anti-inflammatory – reduces inflammation
- Antispasmodic – calms and slow muscle spasms
- Antiviral – reduces or prevents virus
- Relaxing – has a general relaxing effect on the body or particular area
- Rubeifacient – warms the area of application, increases blood circulation
- Sedative – has a sedating and calming effect on the body and mind
- Uplifting – helps positive thinking and lifts the emotions
Clary sage is the essential oil taken from the leaves and flowers of the sage herb. It is widely grown and cultivated in places such as England, Russia, Morocco, France, Italy and Spain.
It is quite a different plant to the more well-known sage herb that we are familiar with, that we use in many daily cooking dishes. Their chemical components are different, meaning they will have quite different effects on the body and mind.
(This article contains affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases)
What other essential oils does clary sage blend well with?
The oil’s aroma is a definite herby smell; I liken it to a lighter version of tea tree, with a hint of citrus.
Due to its herby fragrance Clary sage blends well with many other different oils to create super therapeutic blends and wonderful aromas.
- Juniper
- Geranium
- Sandalwood
- Cedarwood
- Jasmine
- Orange
- Lemon
- Grapefruit
- Bergamot
- Lemongrass
Clary sage essential oil for the skin
Clary sage is good at reducing inflammation on the skin, so good for sensitive skin conditions, as well as issues such as acne and boils. It also helps with excess oil on the skin and hair. You can use clary sage for the skin in the following ways;
- Blending with an oil for facial massage
- Add to a facial product to apply directly on inflammation
- Add to shampoo or conditioner
Anti-inflammatory facial massage oil
- 10ml Rosehip oil
- 2 drops clary sage
- 2 drops bergamot
Massage a small amount in to the skin, daily, preferably in the evening, to reduce irritated skin conditions. Rosehip is a great carrier oil as it also has anti-inflammatory properties, while being packed with essential Vitamin E. For further information and techniques on blending, read here.
Sensitive skin facial massage oil
- 10ml sea buckthorn oil
- 2 drops clary sage
- 2 drops chamomile
Sea buckthorn oil is ideal for sensitive skins, due to its calming and soothing properties. Use a small amount daily to soothe sensitised skin.
Hair growth treatment
- 10ml Argan oil
- 2 drops clary sage
- 2 drops rosemary
Argan oil is known to give hair strength and shine. Use this oil, before you wash and condition your hair. Leave it on as a hair mask for longer if required.
Hair treatment for greasy hair
- 10ml Argan oil
- 2 drops clary sage
- 2 drops lemon
Use this oil to massage into dry roots before washing your hair.
Clary sage essential oil for bones
Clary sage is good for easing the pain of painful joints so would be ideal blended with other analgesic oils to massage into affected areas. Clary sage is also effective at treating back pain. Use Clary Sage in any of the following ways for bones;
- Blend with a massage oil for massaging the affected area
- Cold compress
- Blend a bath oil
Massage oil for painful joints
- 50ml Sweet almond oil
- 8 drops clary sage
- 8 drops chamomile
- 8 drops pine
Simply blend the oils together in an amber tinted pump bottle, and massage a small amount into the affected area as needed.
Cold compress for painful joints & joint inflammation
Soft cloths, cold water, clary sage, rosemary & lemon
Mix 10 drops of each of the essential oils into some cold water. Immerse the soft cloths into the water, wring out and apply on the affected area. These soft muslin cloths are ideal to use for compresses.
Bath oil blend for painful joints
- 25ml soybean oil
- 25ml sweet almond oil
- 8 drops clary sage
- 6 drops black pepper
- 8 drops lemon
Mix the carrier oils together with the essential oils in a tinted amber pump bottle, and massage a small amount into the affected area as needed. For long term joint pain or problems, this oil can be used daily.
Clary essential oils for muscles
Due to its antispasmodic properties clary sage is very good at relaxing muscles, reduced muscle spasms and relieving muscle fatigue – ideal for the sports person!
- Blend with a massage oil for massaging the affected area
- Warm compress
Massage oil for tired & sore muscles/muscle spasms
- 50ml sweet almond oil
- 8 drops clary sage
- 8 drops basil
- 8 drops lavender
Blend the oils together in an amber tinted bottle with pump and massage into the affected areas as needed. Alternatively use this as an all over massage oil/moisturiser, if you workout daily.
Warm compress for muscle spasms
Soft cloths, warm water, clary sage, basil, lavender,
Mix 8 drops of each oil into some warm water, immerse the cloths to soak, wring out and apply to the affected area for as long as needed. These soft cloths are ideal for compresses.
Clary sage essential oil for hormones
An excellent oil for hormonal issues especially during menopause while relieving the pain and symptoms of PMT. It is particularly useful for helping with hot flushes. It is useful to use for those that have very irregular or scanty periods. Clary sage must not be used during pregnancy.
- Warm compress
- Massage oil
Warm compress for PMT
Soft cloths, warm water, clary sage, chamomile & mandarin
Mix 8 drops of each oil in some warm water. Immerse the cloths in the water and apply to the abdomen. Leave as long as necessary or replenish with more water. These soft muslin cloths are ideal for compresses.
Hormonal balance massage oil
- 50ml sweet almond oil
- 8 drops clary sage
- 8 drops bergamot
- 8 drops geranium
Simply mix the carrier oil with the essential oils in an amber tinted bottle and use to massage into the skin regularly to help regulate hormones.
Clary sage essential oil for anxiety & depression
Clary sage is great at uplifting the mood and promoting feelings of well-being and euphoria, making it a great oil for depression or low mood. In contrast, it is soothing for anxiety and panic attacks, tension and stress. Its sedating and relaxing properties, allow these issues to be soothed and relaxed. Clary sage is also effective at treating headaches and migraines. It is a good oil for fortifying a person after illness or during convalescing.
- Burn in a diffuser
- Blend with an oil for massage
- Cool compress
Uplifting/anti-depressant massage oil
- 50ml sweet almond oil
- 8 drops clary sage
- 8 drops grapefruit
- 8 drops lavender
Mix the oils together in an amber, tinted bottle, and use daily, or whenever needed. This oil can be used as an all over body oil, or a smaller amount mixed with your normal body lotion.
Relaxing/sedating/anti-anxiety massage oil
- 50ml sweet almond oil
- 8 drops clary sage
- 8 drops sandalwood
- 8 drops mandarin
A lovely soothing oil, best applied at night to get the benefits from its relaxing properties. Blend the oils together in an amber, tinted bottle.
Clary sage for the immune system
Clary sage strengthens the immune system making it a useful oil for the weak, elderly or convalescing. An ideal way of benefitting from clary sage for the immune system is to use a diffuser or burner and inhale the aromas. See below for a specific diffuser blend.
Clary sage Diffuser blend recipes
Uplifting/antidepressant blend – Clary sage, Orange, Lemon
Calming, soothing, sedating blend – Clary sage, Lavender, Marjoram
Headaches/migraine blend – Clary sage, Chamomile, Lavender
Immune system blend #1 – Clary sage, Melissa, Lemon
Immune system blend #2 – Clary sage, Bergamot, Rosemary
Precautions of clary sage essential oil
Clary sage should not be used during pregnancy. If pregnant, please consult your doctor with regards the use of the other oils mentioned in this article.
It should also be avoided before or after consuming alcohol, as the oil increases the effect of alcohol.
If ever in any doubt of the use of any of the essential oils, please consult your local practitioner or contact me for a proper consultation, or contact your doctor for advise.
As mentioned before, using essential oils to relieve stomach issues, should be a temporary measure. If you are suffering long-term or sudden changes in stomach/bowel condition. Please consult your doctor.
| About the Author Alison Angold is a fully qualified (certified) beauty therapist, massage therapist, and aromatherapist from the UK. She has over 25 years of experience in this industry and has worked in a variety of beauty salons, spa’s as well as running her own successful beauty and massage business. Her career has allowed her to treat many, many clients, with skincare concerns, medical conditions, and a whole variety of other ailments and issues, which has enabled her to work closely with essential oils, prescribing specific blends for these clients to help with these conditions. Her qualifications in the use of essential oils and aromatherapy, allow her to share this knowledge with others, in a safe, reliable way. |