Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) Research

Latin Name: Salvia sclarea

Family Name: Lamiaceae

Clary sage essential oil is used as a calming aroma, and it also has antimicrobial properties.  It has been used to help with menstrual cycle issues, and the whole leaf has mucilaginous properties.

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• Petersen, D. (2015). Aromatherapy materia medica.  Essential oil monographs.  American College of Healthcare Sciences.

• Lis-Balchin, M.  (2006). Aromatherapy science, A guide for healthcare professionals.  Pharmaceutical Press:  London.

• WebMD.  (n.d.).  Clary Sage.  Retrieved in December, 2015.  Retrieved from www.webmd.com

SAFETY

• Chloral Hydrate and Hexobarbitone are medicines that increases sleepiness and clary sage may over strengthen the sleepiness (WebMD, n.d.).
• The sclareol content may have hormonal effects, making it unadvisable for use during pregnancy (Petersen, 2015).
• Contraindicated for estrogen dependent cancers, endometriosis, and low blood pressure (Petersen, 2015).
• In this pilot study, inhalation of clary sage essential oil acted as an estrogenic, increased oxytocin level, with the author concluding that clary sage essential oil and its sclareol constituent were planned to have an estrogen-like effect with sclareol being of a similar structure to estrogen.  From:  Tadokoro, Y., Horiuchi, S., Takahata, K., Shuo, T., Sawano, E., & Shinohara, K. (2017). Changes in salivary oxytocin after inhalation of clary sage essential oil scent in term-pregnant women: a feasibility pilot study. BMC research notes, 10(1), 717.
• Can cause photosensitivity; skin patch test is required (Petersen, 2015).
• May be contraindicated for hypotension and epilepsy (Petersen, 2015).

ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTIFUNGAL

• Salvia sclarea showed antimicrobial activity in vitro.  From:  Różalski, M., Walencka, E., Różalska, B., & Wysokińska, H. (2007). Antimicrobial activity of diterpenoids from hairy roots of Salvia sclarea L.: Salvipisone as a potential anti-biofilm agent active against antibiotic resistant Staphylococci. Phytomedicine, 14(1), 31-35.
• S. sclarea showed antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity in vitro.  From: Kuźma, Ł., Kalemba, D., Różalski, M., Różalska, B., Więckowska-Szakiel, M., Krajewska, U., & Wysokińska, H. (2009). Chemical composition and biological activities of essential oil from Salvia sclarea plants regenerated in vitro. Molecules, 14(4), 1438-1447.
• Clary sage showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.  From:  Gülçin, I., UĞUZ, M. T., Oktay, M., BEYDEMİR, Ş., & KÜFREVİOĞLU, Ö. İ. (2004). Evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.). Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 28(1), 25-33.
• Bay, cinnamon, grapefruit, lemongrass, thyme, clary sage, wintergreen, clove, allspice, and camphor essential oils showed varying degrees of inhibition against MRSA and MSSA bacterial samples from hospital patients. From:  Sharma, P. U. J. A., Mack, J. P., & Rojtman, A. (2013). Ten highly effective essential oils inhibit growth of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Int. J. Pharm. Pharmacol, 5(1), 52-54.
• Clary sage showed antimicrobial action against staphylococci that may be applicable for topical wound healing.  From:  Sienkiewicz, M., Głowacka, A., Poznańska-Kurowska, K., Kaszuba, A., Urbaniak, A., & Kowalczyk, E. (2015). The effect of clary sage oil on staphylococci responsible for wound infections. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postȩpy Dermatologii i Alergologii, 32(1), 21.
• In a mega-analysis of over 500 studies on essential oil antimicrobial activity, spices and herbs of thyme, origanum, mint, cinnamon, salvia and clove had the strongest antimicrobial properties. From:  Kalemba, D., & Kunicka, A. (2003). Antibacterial and antifungal properties of essential oils. Current medicinal chemistry, 10(10), 813-829.
• Linalyl acetate and linalool of Salvia sclarea was antifungal in vitro against three soil-borne pathogens.  From:  Pitarokili, D., Couladis, M., Petsikos-Panayotarou, N., & Tzakou, O. (2002). Composition and antifungal activity on soil-borne pathogens of the essential oil of Salvia sclarea from Greece. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 50(23), 6688-6691.
• Clary sage essential oil demonstrating antifungal action against food poisoning, food spoilage, and plant and animal pathogens. From:  Džamić, A., Soković, M., Ristić, M., Grujić-Jovanović, S., Vukojević, J., & Marin, P. D. (2008). Chemical composition and antifungal activity of Salvia sclarea (Lamiaceae) essential oil. Arch. Biol. Sci, 60(2), 233-237.

PRESERVATIVE

• Clary sage essential oil demonstrating antifungal action against food poisoning, food spoilage, and plant and animal pathogens. From:  Džamić, A., Soković, M., Ristić, M., Grujić-Jovanović, S., Vukojević, J., & Marin, P. D. (2008). Chemical composition and antifungal activity of Salvia sclarea (Lamiaceae) essential oil. Arch. Biol. Sci, 60(2), 233-237.

ANTI-ALZHEIMER’S

• Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity was demonstrated by Salvia species, which may be useful in treating Alzheimer’s Disease.  From:  Temel, H. E., Demirci, B., Demirci, F., Celep, F., Kahraman, A., Doğan, M., & Hüsnü Can Başer, K. (2016). Chemical characterization and anticholinesterase effects of essential oils derived from Salvia species. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 1-10.

ANALGESIC  / ANTINOCICEPTIVE

• Salvia sclarea had an anti-nociceptive effect in mice.  From:  Moretti, M. D., Peana, A. T., & Satta, M. (1997). A study on anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic action of Salvia sclarea oil and its main components. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 9(2), 199-204.
• The essential oils of bergamot (Citrus bergamia, Risso) clary sage (Salvia sclarea), thyme (linalool chemotype of Thymus vulgaris), lavender (Lavandula hybrida reydovan and Lavandula angustifolia) had antinociceptive effects on the mouse hindpaw.  From:  Sakurada, T., Kuwahata, H., Katsuyama, S., Komatsu, T., Morrone, L. A., Corasaniti, M. T., … & Sakurada, S. (2009). Intraplantar Injection Of Bergamot Essential Oil Into The Mouse Hindpaw: Effects On Capsaicin‐Induced Nociceptive Behaviors. International Review of Neurobiology, 85, 237-248.

SKIN / WOUND

• Clary sage showed antimicrobial action against staphylococci that may be applicable for topical wound healing.  From:  Sienkiewicz, M., Głowacka, A., Poznańska-Kurowska, K., Kaszuba, A., Urbaniak, A., & Kowalczyk, E. (2015). The effect of clary sage oil on staphylococci responsible for wound infections. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postȩpy Dermatologii i Alergologii, 32(1), 21.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

• Linalool and linalyl acetate were anti-inflammatory in rats.  From:  Peana, A. T., D’Aquila, P. S., Panin, F., Serra, G., Pippia, P., & Moretti, M. D. L. (2002). Anti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oils. Phytomedicine, 9(8), 721-726.

​INSECTICIDAL

• Against larvae Spodoptera littoralis the following oils showed insecticidal activity: catnip,  white cedar, clary sage, thyme,  marjoram, patchouli, pennyroyal, lemon mint, Melissa, and lavender.  From: Pavela, R. (2005). Insecticidal activity of some essential oils against larvae of Spodoptera littoralis. Fitoterapia, 76(7), 691-696.

ANTIOXIDANT

• Clary sage showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.  From:  Gülçin, I., UĞUZ, M. T., Oktay, M., BEYDEMİR, Ş., & KÜFREVİOĞLU, Ö. İ. (2004). Evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.). Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 28(1), 25-33.
• Geranium macrorrhizum (Bulgarian geranium), multiple species in the sage family including clary sage, and Potentilla fruticosa extracts possessed very high radical scavenging activity.  From: Miliauskas, G., Venskutonis, P. R., & Van Beek, T. A. (2004). Screening of radical scavenging activity of some medicinal and aromatic plant extracts. Food chemistry, 85(2), 231-237.

ANTI-TUMOR / ANTI-CANCER

• Sclareol reduced the growth rate of human colon cancer tumors in mice.  From:  Hatziantoniou, S., Dimas, K., Georgopoulos, A., Sotiriadou, N., & Demetzos, C. (2006). Cytotoxic and antitumor activity of liposome-incorporated sclareol against cancer cell lines and human colon cancer xenografts. Pharmacological research, 53(1), 80-87.
• Salvia species demonstrated antitumor activity.  From:  Fiore, G., Nencini, C., Cavallo, F., Capasso, A., Bader, A., Giorgi, G., & Micheli, L. (2006). In vitro antiproliferative effect of six Salvia species on human tumor cell lines. Phytotherapy Research, 20(8), 701-703.
• Sclereol killed human leukemia cells.  From:  Dimas, K., Kokkinopoulos, D., Demetzos, C., Vaos, B., Marselos, M., Malamas, M., & Tzavaras, T. (1999). The effect of sclareol on growth and cell cycle progression of human leukemic cell lines. Leukemia research, 23(3), 217-234.
• Sclareol induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells and also enhanced the activity of anticancer drugs.  From:  Dimas, K., Papadaki, M., Tsimplouli, C., Hatziantoniou, S., Alevizopoulos, K., Pantazis, P., & Demetzos, C. (2006). Labd-14-ene-8, 13-diol (sclareol) induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells and enhances the activity of anticancer drugs. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy, 60(3), 127-133.

REDUCED DYSMENORRHEA

• A blend of lavender (Lavandula officinalis), clary sage (Salvia sclarea) and marjoram (Origanum majorana) in a carrier cream, massaged on the lower abdomen reduced menstrual pain in a study with double blind 48 women.  From:  Ou, M. C., Hsu, T. F., Lai, A. C., Lin, Y. T., & Lin, C. C. (2012). Pain relief assessment by aromatic essential oil massage on outpatients with primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized, double‐blind clinical trial. Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research, 38(5), 817-822.​
• In a study with 67 female college student with menstrual cramps, an abdominal massage using Lavandula officinalis, Salvia sclarea, and Rosa centifolia in an almond oil reduced the severity of the cramps.  From:  Han, S. H., Hur, M. H., Buckle, J., Choi, J., & Lee, M. S. (2006). Effect of aromatherapy on symptoms of dysmenorrhea in college students: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 12(6), 535-541.
• In a study 0f 32 Korean high school girls, a massage with clary sage, marjoram, cinnamon, ginger, and geranium in a base of almond oil helped reduce menstrual pains.  From:  Hur, M. H., Lee, M. S., Seong, K. Y., & Lee, M. K. (2012). Aromatherapy massage on the abdomen for alleviating menstrual pain in high school girls: a preliminary controlled clinical study. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine, 2012.
• In a randomized controlled study of 60 women with premenstrual syndrome, inhalation of clary sage essential oil aroma increased parasympathetic activity. From: Geethanjali, S., Venugopal, V., Poonguzhali, S., & Maheshkumar, K. (2020). Effect of clary sage oil as an aromatherapy on cardiac autonomic function among patients with premenstrual syndrome–A Randomized controlled study. Obesity Medicine, 100193.

IMPROVED MOOD / ANXIOLYTIC / CALMING

• Lavandula angustifolia and Salvia sclaria reduced stress of ICU nurses. From:  Pemberton, E., & Turpin, P. G. (2008). The Effect of Essential Oils on Work‐Related Stress in Intensive Care Unit Nurses. Holistic nursing practice, 22(2), 97-102.
• In a randomized controlled study of 60 women with premenstrual syndrome, inhalation of clary sage essential oil aroma increased parasympathetic activity. From: Geethanjali, S., Venugopal, V., Poonguzhali, S., & Maheshkumar, K. (2020). Effect of clary sage oil as an aromatherapy on cardiac autonomic function among patients with premenstrual syndrome–A Randomized controlled study. Obesity Medicine, 100193.
• Clary sage had an antidepressant effect in vivo associated with modulation of the dopamine pathway.  From:  Seol, G. H., Shim, H. S., Kim, P. J., Moon, H. K., Lee, K. H., Shim, I., … & Min, S. S. (2010). Antidepressant-like effect of Salvia sclarea is explained by modulation of dopamine activities in rats. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 130(1), 187-190.
• S. sclarea had an anxiolytic effect in animals.  From:  Gross, M., Nesher, E., Tikhonov, T., Raz, O., & Pinhasov, A. (2013). Chronic food administration of Salvia sclarea oil reduces animals’ anxious and dominant behavior. Journal of medicinal food, 16(3), 216-222.
• Among Korean menopausal women, clary sage inhalation, cortisol levels decreased and had an anti-depressant like effect.  From:  Lee, K. B., Cho, E., & Kang, Y. S. (2014). Changes in 5‐hydroxytryptamine and Cortisol Plasma Levels in Menopausal Women After Inhalation of Clary Sage Oil. Phytotherapy research, 28(11), 1599-1605.
• Aromatherapy of lavender, peppermint, rosemary, and clary sage reduced stress in nursing students.  From:  Park, M. K., & Lee, E. S. (2004). [The effect of aroma inhalation method on stress responses of nursing students]. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 34(2), 344-35.
• In this double blind, randomized trial of 34 females with incontinence, the inhalation of clary sage significantly reduced systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate and lowered stress during a urodynamic examination.  From:  Seol, G. H., Lee, Y. H., Kang, P., You, J. H., Park, M., & Min, S. S. (2013). Randomized controlled trial for Salvia sclarea or Lavandula angustifolia: differential effects on blood pressure in female patients with urinary incontinence undergoing urodynamic examination. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(7), 664-670.

PREGNANCY

• Full term pregnant women inhaled clary sage essential oil aroma, resulting in an increase of oxytocin levels, but no increase in uterine contractions.  Tadokoro, Y., Horiuchi, S., Takahata, K., Shuo, T., Sawano, E., & Shinohara, K. (2017). Changes in salivary oxytocin after inhalation of clary sage essential oil scent in term-pregnant women: a feasibility pilot study. BMC research notes, 10(1), 717.

MENOPAUSE

• Among Korean menopausal women, clary sage inhalation, cortisol levels decreased and had an anti-depressant like effect.  From: Lee, K. B., Cho, E., & Kang, Y. S. (2014). Changes in 5‐hydroxytryptamine and Cortisol Plasma Levels in Menopausal Women After Inhalation of Clary Sage Oil. Phytotherapy research, 28(11), 1599-1605.
• In a study of 15 perimenopausal women per essential oil, aroma of jasmine absolute, roman chamomile, and clary sage essential oils resulted in increased salivary testosterone levels.  From:  Tarumi, W., Kumagai, C., & Shinohara, K. (2019). Exposure to Essential Oil Odors Increases Salivary Testosterone Concentration in Perimenopausal Women. Acta medica Nagasakiensia, 62(2), 49-54.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 3/6/2020