Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
An earthy, herbaceous single oil steam-distilled from the flowering plant, often used in calming evening routines.
How to use it
3–5 drops alone, or with lavender and a touch of citrus for a relaxing blend.
Dilute to 1–2% in a carrier oil for a calming evening massage blend.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- Dilute in a carrier oil for skin
- Phototoxic
- No
- Traditionally avoided during pregnancy until labour — check with a professional if pregnant.
- Its relaxing reputation means some people find it best used in the evening rather than before driving.
- Not phototoxic. Dilute for skin; keep out of reach of children.
Sources: Kostić et al. (2013), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Composition & chemistry
Aggregated from 6 GC-MS samples across 5 peer-reviewed open-access studies (2021–2025). Figures are the distribution across those samples — median with interquartile range — not a single reading.
- Oxygenated monoterpene 79.4%
- Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon 14.2%
- Unclassified 3.3%
- Monoterpene hydrocarbon 3.1%
| Constituent | Median | Typical range | Max | Detected in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| linalyl acetate ↗ C12H20O2 | 43.2% | 30.1–52.1% | 69.4% | |
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| linalool ↗ C10H18O | 20.0% | 15.1–21.5% | 23.0% | |
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| germacrene d ↗ C15H24 | 12.4% | 10.5–14.3% | 16.2% | |
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| limonene ↗ C10H16 | 3.9% | 2.7–5.1% | 6.3% | |
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| (z)-β-ocimene ↗ C10H16 | 3.4% | 2.8–4.0% | 4.6% | |
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| myrcene ↗ C10H16 | 3.1% | 1.9–4.3% | 5.5% | |
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| β-cubebene ↗ C15H24 | 2.7% | 2.2–3.3% | 3.9% | |
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| β-copaene ↗ C15H24 | 2.2% | 1.4–3.0% | 3.8% | |
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| β-caryophyllene ↗ C15H24 | 2.0% | 1.7–8.7% | 28.3% | |
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| geranyl acetate ↗ C12H20O2 | 2.0% | 1.5–2.7% | 3.4% | |
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| (e)-β-ocimene ↗ C10H16 | 1.6% | 0.7–2.8% | 3.8% | |
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| α-terpineol ↗ C10H18O | 1.3% | 1.0–1.6% | 2.3% | |
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+ 33 more compounds reported across the dataset.
5 peer-reviewed sources behind these figures
- Ovidi E, Laghezza Masci V, Zambelli M, Tiezzi A, Vitalini S, Garzoli S. (2021). Laurus nobilis, Salvia sclarea and Salvia officinalis Essential Oils and Hydrolates: Evaluation of Liquid and Vapor Phase Chemical Composition and Biological Activities. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Ciobotaru GV, Goje ID, Dehelean CA, Danciu C, Magyari-Pavel IZ, Moacă EA, Muntean D, Imbrea IM, Sărățeanu V, Pop G. (2025). Analysis of the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity, Cytotoxic, and Anti-Migratory Properties of the Essential Oils Obtained from Cultivated Medicinal <i>Lamiaceae</i> Species. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Wang Y, Wen F, Zhou X, Chen G, Tian C, Qian J, Wu H, Chen M. (2024). Deterrent Effects of Clary Sage Oil and Two Major Constituents against Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Insects.
- EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto-Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Bastos ML, Brantom P, Chesson A, Schlatter J, Westendorf J, Dirven Y, Manini P. (2024). Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the flowering stems of Salvia sclarea L. (clary sage oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority.
- Karaca N, Demirci B, Gavahian M, Demirci F. (2023). Enhanced Bioactivity of Rosemary, Sage, Lavender, and Chamomile Essential Oils by Fractionation, Combination, and Emulsification. ACS omega.
Every figure above traces to a named table in one of these open-access papers. How this was built →
- Linalyl acetate — a soft, floral-fruity ester that dominates clary sage and is associated with its calming, relaxing character Kim et al. (2025), Frontiers in Medicine
Because its aroma resembles muscatel wine, it was once used to flavor cheaper wines and vermouths.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
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Clary sage oil and its constituents have been studied for effects such as relaxation; one recent study examined its differential effects versus linalyl acetate. Findings are early-stage and should not be read as a treatment for any condition.
Kim et al. (2025), Frontiers in Medicine
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Clary Sage's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
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Clary sage is an ester-dominant oil, with linalyl acetate typically the largest single constituent, followed by linalool.
Kostić et al. (2013), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Frequently asked questions
Is clary sage the same as common sage?
No. Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) is an ester-rich, gentle oil, while common/Dalmatian sage (Salvia officinalis) is high in thujone and needs far more caution. They're different oils despite the shared name. Kostić et al. (2013), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Can I use clary sage during pregnancy?
It's traditionally avoided during pregnancy until labour. If you're pregnant, check with a qualified professional before using it.
Why is clary sage considered relaxing?
Its dominant constituent, linalyl acetate, is a soft floral ester associated with calming effects in preliminary studies. Many people use it in the evening for its soothing aroma. Kim et al. (2025), Frontiers in Medicine
Gallery
The Plant and Its History
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) is native to the Mediterranean basin and Central Asia, and has been cultivated in Europe since at least the Middle Ages — its old English name may descend from “clear eye,” a reference to a traditional folk use of its mucilaginous seeds as an eyewash to clear debris from the eye. In more recent centuries it found a different niche: because its aroma resembles muscatel wine, clary sage was historically used to flavor cheaper wines and vermouths in a practice that’s mostly faded but still shows up in its old nickname, “clary” or “muscatel sage.” It’s a distinct species from the culinary sage (Salvia officinalis) found in the spice rack.
Extraction and Aroma
The oil is steam-distilled from the flowering tops and leaves, producing an earthy, slightly nutty, herbaceous aroma with a musky undertone quite different from culinary sage’s sharper, more camphoraceous scent. Linalyl acetate dominates the profile, giving clary sage its characteristic soft sweetness, while a trace compound called sclareol — found almost nowhere else in the plant world — contributes the musky, earthy note that makes clary sage instantly recognizable to anyone who’s smelled it before.
Traditional and Everyday Uses
Clary sage has a long history as a calming, grounding oil in evening routines. In the diffuser, 3–5 drops alone or blended with lavender and a touch of citrus makes a relaxing pre-bedtime combination. Diluted to 1–2% in a carrier oil, it’s traditionally used in massage blends aimed at easing tension and supporting a calm, settled mood at the end of a long day.
Safety Note
Clary sage is generally avoided during pregnancy and by anyone with estrogen-sensitive conditions unless cleared by a physician — check our allergy and safety guide before adding it to a regular routine.
Sourcing Note
Clary sage’s chemical profile shifts with harvest timing and growing conditions more than many other oils, another reason we point to a single, documented supplier rather than a generic bottle.
Found in these blends
Clary Sage is one of the oils inside 4 Young Living blends.