# Sage essential oil > Sage is an herbaceous single oil with deep traditional roots, valued aromatically and as a component in women's-wellness blends. Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/sage Type: Single oil ## At a glance - **Botanical name:** Salvia officinalis - **Plant part:** Leaves - **Extraction:** Steam-distilled - **Aroma:** Earthy, camphoraceous - **Origin:** Mediterranean - **Blends with:** Rosemary, clary sage, cedarwood ## Composition (GC-MS research aggregate) Based on 87 GC-MS samples from 23 peer-reviewed papers (2017–2026); Strong evidence base. 118 compounds reported in total. Typical share of the oil (median, with interquartile range): | Compound | Class | Median % | IQR % | Max % | Papers | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | camphor | Oxygenated monoterpene | 16.84 | 8.06–21.1 | 32.97 | 19 | | α-thujone | Oxygenated monoterpene | 13.54 | 8.03–21.21 | 35.61 | 18 | | 1,8-cineole | Oxygenated monoterpene | 9.55 | 5.81–16.48 | 33.65 | 23 | | α-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 3.82 | 2.47–6 | 26.29 | 21 | | camphene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 3.71 | 2.39–7.59 | 18.94 | 20 | | β-thujone | Oxygenated monoterpene | 5.08 | 2.46–9.17 | 16.84 | 11 | | borneol | Oxygenated monoterpene | 2.7 | 1.14–3.72 | 10.68 | 19 | | β-caryophyllene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 2.06 | 1.26–4.17 | 23.05 | 21 | | α-humulene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 2.7 | 1.46–5.71 | 11.69 | 15 | | β-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 2.08 | 1.44–4.17 | 8.4 | 19 | | viridiflorol | Oxygenated sesquiterpene | 3.3 | 1.54–4.95 | 12.21 | 11 | | limonene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.83 | 1.14–3.29 | 40.72 | 18 | Chemotypes seen in the samples: α-thujone (46% of samples), 1,8-cineole (20% of samples), camphor (15% of samples). ## Key constituents - **Thujone** (20-45%) — The dominant, characteristically pungent compound in sage oil - **Camphor** (5-25%) — Adds a sharp, medicinal note - **1,8-Cineole** — Contributes a fresh, herbaceous top note ## How to use it - **In the diffuser:** 2–3 drops gives a grounding, herbaceous note — best in short, deliberate sessions. - **Use with care:** Included in some grounding blends; dilute to a low percentage for any topical use. ## Safety - Sage contains thujone — avoid during pregnancy and with any seizure disorder, never use undiluted on skin, and keep diffusing sessions brief. - Maximum dermal use: Very low — high thujone content; many practitioners avoid leave-on skin use. - High in thujone, a neurotoxic ketone: avoid during pregnancy and with epilepsy or a seizure disorder, use only in low amounts, and keep away from children. - Do not confuse with clary sage (Salvia sclarea), which is gentle — common sage is the cautionary one. - Not phototoxic, but among the oils to use most sparingly. ## What the research says - Common sage oil is well characterised, with its thujone and camphor content central to both its chemistry and its safety cautions. Traditional 'clearing' and cognitive uses are preliminary and are outweighed for most people by the need to limit thujone exposure. — Chalchat et al. (2000), Journal of Essential Oil Research (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712048) ## Evidence - Common sage oil is dominated by α- and β-thujone plus camphor — the source of its strong aroma and its neurotoxic-related safety limits. — Chalchat et al. (2000), Journal of Essential Oil Research (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712048) ## Frequently asked questions ### Is sage oil the same as clary sage? No, and the difference matters for safety. Common/Dalmatian sage (Salvia officinalis) is high in neurotoxic thujone and needs real caution; clary sage (Salvia sclarea) is ester-rich and gentle. Don't substitute one for the other. ### Who should avoid common sage oil? Because of its high thujone content, common sage should be avoided during pregnancy and by anyone with epilepsy or a seizure disorder, and kept away from children. Use it sparingly and consider clary sage as a gentler alternative. ### Is sage oil phototoxic? No — it isn't phototoxic. The real precaution is its thujone and camphor content, which calls for very conservative use. ## Sources (GC-MS studies) - Saadatian M, Hassani A, Ebrahimi SN. Vegetal protein hydrolysates mitigate NaCl salinity in Salvia officinalis by improving growth, nutrient status and essential oil yield. _BMC plant biology_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13224443 - Milenković L, Ilić ZS, Stanojević L, Šunić L, Milenković A, Tmušić N, Lalević D, Stanojević J, Cvetković D, Kevrešan Ž. Influence of Shading on Essential Oil Quantity and Quality of Sage (<i>Salvia officinalis</i> L.) at Different Harvest Times. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13259298 - Martínez-Francés V, Hahn E, Ríos S, Rivera D, Reich E, Vila R, Cañigueral S. Ethnopharmacological and Chemical Characterization of Salvia Species Used in Valencian Traditional Herbal Preparations. _Frontiers in pharmacology_, 2017. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC5524814 - Soltanbeigi E. Hydrodistillation time-dependent variations in the volatile oil characteristics of fresh and dried Salvia species. _Scientific reports_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13009210 - El Ayeb-Zakhama A, Ascrizzi R, Chahdoura H, Alhujaily M, Flamini G, Alotaibi SH, Harzallah-Skhiri F, Mnif W, Laarif A, Chaieb I. Essential Oil Formulations From <i>Salvia officinalis</i>, <i>Ormenis africana</i>, and <i>Mentha pulegium</i>: Chemical Profiles and Insecticidal Activity Against <i>Myzus persicae</i>. _Food science & nutrition_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13284493 - Kaya H, Kılıç S. Dose-dependent hormetic-like effects of green-synthesized AgNPs on Salvia officinalis: a biochemical and morphophysiological perspective. _Scientific reports_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13357552 - Tundis R, Leporini M, Bonesi M, Rovito S, Passalacqua NG. Salvia officinalis L. from Italy: A Comparative Chemical and Biological Study of Its Essential Oil in the Mediterranean Context. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2020. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC7763040 - Özliman S. Volatile compounds of volatile oils and hydrosols: intra-specific comparison in seven Lamiaceae species. _BMC plant biology_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13274111 - Mohammadi-Cheraghabadi M, Ghanati F, Karimi N, Ghorbanpour M, Hazrati S. Ornithine enantiomers modulate essential oil yield and constituents and gene expression of monoterpenes synthase in Salvia officinalis under well-watered and drought stress conditions. _BMC plant biology_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11792220 - Ait Elallem K, Ben Bakrim W, Yasri A, Boularbah A. Growth, Biochemical Traits, Antioxidant Enzymes, and Essential Oils of Four Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Cultivated in Phosphate-Mine Residues. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11435175 - 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. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the leaves of Salvia officinalis ssp. lavandulifolia (Vahl) Gams (Spanish sage oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). _EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11502965 - 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, Manini P. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the leaves of Salvia officinalis L. (sage oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). _EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11656093 - Maleš I, Dobrinčić A, Zorić Z, Vladimir-Knežević S, Elez Garofulić I, Repajić M, Skroza D, Jerković I, Dragović-Uzelac V. Phenolic, Headspace and Sensory Profile, and Antioxidant Capacity of Fruit Juice Enriched with Salvia officinalis L. and Thymus serpyllum L. Extract: A Potential for a Novel Herbal-Based Functional Beverages. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10180401 - Maache S, Zbadi L, Ghouizi AE, Soulo N, Saghrouchni H, Siddique F, Sitotaw B, Salamatullah AM, Nafidi HA, Bourhia M, Lyoussi B, Elarabi I. Antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of essential oils from two salvia species with in vitro and in silico analysis targeting 1AJ6 and 1R4U proteins. _Scientific reports_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10462652 - Al-Mijalli SH, Assaggaf H, Qasem A, El-Shemi AG, Abdallah EM, Mrabti HN, Bouyahya A. Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Antibacterial Potentials and Chemical Composition of Salvia officinalis and Mentha suaveolens Grown Wild in Morocco. _Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9217590 - Tulukcu E, Cebi N, Sagdic O. Chemical Fingerprinting of Seeds of Some Salvia Species in Turkey by Using GC-MS and FTIR. _Foods (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2019. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC6518353 - Ciobotaru GV, Goje ID, Dehelean CA, Danciu C, Magyari-Pavel IZ, Moacă EA, Muntean D, Imbrea IM, Sărățeanu V, Pop G. 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)_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11944916 - Khemili A, Bensizerara D, Chenchouni H, Gębarowski T, Bażanów B, Menasria T, Tomańska A, Chwirot A, Szumny A. In Vitro and In Silico Pharmacological Study of Three Combined Lamiaceae Essential Oils: Cytotoxicity and Antiviral Potential. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12608418 - Sorca BV, Rosca AM, Kaya DA, Vatamanu SM, Albu Kaya MG, Dinu-Pîrvu CE, Ghica MV, Coman AE, Rusu LC, Titorencu I. Composites Based on Collagen, Chondroitin Sulfate, and Sage Oil with Potential Use in Dentistry. _Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12838586 - Lanave G, Catella C, Catalano A, Lucente MS, Pellegrini F, Fracchiolla G, Diakoudi G, Palmisani J, Trombetta CM, Martella V, Camero M. Assessing the virucidal activity of essential oils against feline calicivirus, a non-enveloped virus used as surrogate of norovirus. _Heliyon_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11070907 - …and 3 more on the canonical page. _Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._