Clary sage: a natural alternative for women's hormonal health and much more

Clary sage: learn about its many health benefits

  

From the same family as mint and sage (Salvia officinalis), clary sage is a biennial plant native to the Mediterranean basin, as well as parts of North Africa and Central Asia. The plant has a long history of medicinal use dating back to the writings of Theophrastus (4th century BC), Dioscorides (1st century AD) and Pliny the Elder (1st century AD). It is currently cultivated for its essential oil.

The main components of clary sage essential oil are the monoterpenes sclareol, alpha-terpineol, linalyl acetate, linalool, caryophyllene, neryl acetate and germacrene-D. Due to these components and their effects, it is considered one of the main natural alternatives for hormonal health, especially as it concerns women.

In 2014, the Journal of Phytotherapy Research published a study stating that inhalation of clary sage essential oil has the ability to reduce cortisol levels by 36% and improve thyroid hormone TSH levels. The study was done on 22 postmenopausal women in their 50s, some of whom had been diagnosed with depression. At the end of the study, it was concluded that clary sage oil had a significant cortisol-lowering effect and an antidepressant effect, expressed in improved mood.

One and perhaps the most important benefit of clary sage oil is that it helps balance estrogen production in the body. Many health problems today such as infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome and estrogen-based cancer are caused precisely by excess estrogen in the body, which is partly due to the high consumption of estrogen-rich foods.

Clary sage oil is used at both stages of life, both during the time when a woman is actively fertile and menstruating, and during the time of menopause. For those who suffer from menstrual cramps and mood swings, and for those who suffer from hot flashes and hormonal imbalances during the time of menopause.

And that's not all. Sage essential oil is known for its ability to improve circulation, maintain the digestive system, improve eye health and in the treatment of leukemia.

It is one of the healthiest oils and its properties are appreciated as anti-fungal, anticonvulsant, anti-infectious, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent and anti-inflammatory.

Known benefits

An article by Christine Ruggeri for the online magazine Dr. Axe presents interesting benefits corroborated by studies on clary sage. Here are some of them.

1. Relieves menstrual discomfort

Clary sage works by regulating the menstrual cycle by naturally balancing hormone levels and stimulating the opening of a clogged system. It has the ability to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) which include bloating, cramping, food cravings, and mood swings.

This essential oil is also antispasmodic so it can be used for muscle cramps, headaches and stomach aches and it does so by relaxing the nervous impulses that we cannot control.

A 2012 study measured the effects of aromatherapy as a pain reliever during the menstrual cycle of adolescent girls in a school. The girls were divided into two groups, one in the massage group and the other in the acetaminophen group. The aromatherapy massage was performed on the abdomen and used clary sage, marjoram, cinnamon, ginger and geranium oils in an almond oil base.

Menstrual pain levels were measured 24 hours later. Results showed a significant reduction in menstrual pain in the massage group compared to the acetaminophen group.

By helping with abdominal distension and relieving menstrual cramps, the benefits of clary sage essential oil extend to the digestive area, although more studies are needed to corroborate this. It stimulates the production of gastric juices, helping digestion to be done effectively and faster. This allows the absorption of nutrients, vitamins and minerals to be absorbed effectively.

 

2. Adjuvant for hormonal balance

Clary sage affects the body's hormones because it contains natural phytoestrogens, which are known as dietary estrogens that are derived from plants and from the endocrine system. These phytoestrogens give clary sage the ability to cause estrogenic effects as it regulates estrogen levels and ensures long-term uterine health, thus reducing the risk of uterine or ovarian cancer.

3. Relieves insomnia

For people who suffer from insomnia, clary sage can be an alternative. Precisely the effect of the monoterpene linool, a powerful sedative, present in the plant and enhanced in its essential oil provides the peace and calm necessary to fall asleep. A restful sleep is synonymous with a refreshed awakening and 100% performance of your activities during the day. Insomnia, on the other hand, affects your mood and energy levels, your health and quality of life.

When used in aromatherapy, it can reduce aggressive behavior, lower stress response and anxiety. Much better when the oil is dissolved in a carrier oil (coconut, almond) and massaged into some stress points on the body as demonstrated by a study conducted on nurses on rotating shifts in Taiwan. ( study )

4. Increases blood circulation

Clary sage dilates blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow; it naturally reduces blood pressure by relaxing the brain and arteries. This action stimulates the performance of the metabolic system by increasing the amount of oxygen reaching the muscles and the efficiency of organic function.

A study conducted in Korea experimented with a group of women suffering from urinary incontinence during a urodynamic examination and they were divided into 3 groups to inhale lavender essential oil, clary sage or almond oil (control group). The group that inhaled clary sage reduced their systolic pressure compared to the control group (p= 0.048) and the lavender oil group (p=0.026). It showed a significant decrease in diastolic pressure compared to the group that inhaled lavender oil (p=0.034).

The results showed that in events like these, lavender, which is known for its calming effects, was not as effective as clary sage, whose group showed higher levels of calmness and reduced respiratory rate.

As you can see, clary sage goes beyond treating a single condition in the body. By improving circulation and being anti-stress, it improves cardiovascular health, specifically, cholesterol balance, since these are the two conditions necessary for cholesterol to flow, go where it is needed, and for levels to remain balanced.

5. Effects on protection and cognitive performance.

These effects apply to different varieties of sage, including clary sage. According to a study , its components protect against neurodegenerative disease, specifically, memory, attention and learning. The potential effects would be at a protective and preventive level of dementia, including Alzheimer's.

6. Therapeutic potential for treating rheumatoid arthritis ( study )

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's tissues, leading to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. This study showed that sclareol was able to alleviate arthritic severities by modulating excessive inflammation and advocates its pharmaceutical development as a treatment therapy for inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

7. Antibacterial effects

It is a common property in many pure essential oils, obtained by distillation. In tests performed with clary sage, its power to fight bacteria was corroborated by reducing E. Coli significantly and it seemed to fight bacteria in many different ways. ( study )

Other research suggests that some of the chemical components in clary sage have antifungal effects.

8. Antidepressant

A study published in 2010 by the journal Ethnopharmacology tested several oils to counteract depression and stress (done on rats). The oils tested included clary sage, chamomile, rosemary, and lavender.

Of the oils used in the experiment, clary sage oil was found to provide the most potent anti-stress effect.

The researchers concluded that clary sage can be used as an effective treatment for people suffering from depression, adding that the effect of the oil was closely related to the hormone dopamine or “happiness”, a neurotransmitter present in various areas of the brain that is important in all nervous responses related to the expression of emotions.

9. Against leukemia

A study conducted at the Department of Immunology at the Hellenic Anticancer Institute in Athens, Greece, examined the role of sclareol, one of the components of clary sage, in treating leukemia. The results showed that sclareol can eliminate cell lines through the process of apoptosis (a process of programmed cell death that, when not carried out completely, results in uncontrolled proliferation of cells such as cancer cells).

10. Promotes good skin health

It is thanks to the linalyl acetate ester, a component present in clary sage and of course, abundant in its essential oil that reduces and relieves skin inflammation, healing outbreaks and hives.

By balancing the hormonal system, clary sage oil ensures that the right amount of oil is produced to moisturize the skin, keeping the complexion nourished without looking greasy. At the same time, it regulates sebum secretion to reduce the chances of breakouts, acne, and oily skin.

If acne is your concern, tea tree and lavender essential oils may help.

Illuminate your everyday rituals with the benefits of clary sage oil and transform your health, mind and skin.

Extra benefit!

Clary sage essential oil has been said to help vision and protect against premature vision loss or vision loss due to aging. Although there are no studies, it has been widely used in traditional medicine and is worth giving a try: you can soak a small towel in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of clary sage essential oil, which is the name it is found under on the market, and then place the towel over your eyes with light pressure and leave it for 10 minutes.

How to Get Clary Sage Oil or Clary Calm Oil Blend for Women's Health

While clary sage oil is used in all of the above-mentioned cases, doTerra Clary Calm oil is specifically designed for those special times that women face during menstruation or menopause.

The DoTerra brand offers both options and you can get them here

ClaryCalm 10ml

It is an exclusive blend for topical use that combines the best of essential oils with calming and relaxing characteristics; developed especially to make women feel like they are in their best days. The essential oils in this blend are Lavender, Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Sweet Fennel, Cedarwood and Sage among others.

Price COP $ 138,750

Buy HERE

Clary sage 15ml

Clary sage is a biennial or perennial herb that grows up to 2 meters tall. It is known for its calming properties and skin benefits. In the Middle Ages, the clary sage plant was often used to soothe the skin.

Inhaling Clary Sage creates feelings of relaxation, promoting a restful night's sleep. Like Lavender essential oil, the relaxing aroma of Clary Sage essential oil is one of the best essential oils to diffuse at bedtime.

Price COP $ 189,000

Buy HERE

How to apply them:

• During your menstrual cycle, rub three to five drops on your abdomen for a soothing massage.
• During menopause, inhale its aroma directly from the bottle or through a diffuser.
• Combine with Roman Chamomile and add to bath water for a stress-relieving bath.
• Combine with doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil to massage and soothe skin.
• Apply one or two drops to the soles of your feet or pulse points.