• Clary Sage
  • Clary Sage

Clary Sage

  • Scientific Name
    Salvia sclarea
  • Family
    Lamiaceae
  • Origin
    Mediterranean, Asiaetc.

CONTENTS

Plant description

Clary Sage belongs to the Lamiaceae family, a biennial, cold-resistant plant that grows up to 1.5 meters tall. During the summer, it produces light purple or pink flowers with a musk-like fragrance. Since ancient times, it has been recognized for its use in decocting the seeds and applying them to the eyes to promote clarity of vision. Consequently, the scientific name “Clary” is believed to be derived from the French word “clarus,” meaning bright, and is a corruption of “scalarea.”

Essential oil composition

Clary Sage

  • Clary Sage

  • INCI
    Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Oil
  • Parts of Plant Used
    Leaf / Flower
  • Extraction Method
    Steam Distillation
  • Extraction Rate
    0.05 - 0.1％
  • Notes
    Middle
  • Aroma Family
    Herbal

Clary Sage Essential Oil Properties & Uses

Approximately 0.05%-0.1% of Clary Sage essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from its leaves and flowers, and has a light yellow to yellowish color. Its primary constituent is linalyl acetate, well-known for its relaxing properties. It has a herbal fragrance with a sweet, muscat-like aroma, combining both a tranquil, deep sweetness and a somewhat dry quality within a fresh, green undertone. Despite being considered a challenging essential oil to work with, Clary Sage pairs well with refreshing Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lemon, as well as deeper scents like Patchouli, Neroli, and Rose. While the fragrance's intensity is not overpowering, it is advisable to begin with a small quantity and gradually adjust blending to maintain the desired aromatic balance.

Essential oil composition

Essential oil composition

※An example of one batch production is shown here.

  • Linalyl acetate　74.4%
  • Linalool　10.7%
  • Germacrene D　2.5%
  • β-Caryophyllene　1.8%
  • Other components　10.6%

Functions and Efficacies

Linalool

Linalool
  • IUPAC Name
    3,7-Dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H18O
  • Molecular Weight
    154.25 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    78-70-6
  • Structure
    Monoterpene alcohol

Functions and Efficacies of Linalool

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○
Stress Reduction ○ ○
Anti-oxidant Effects ○

Anti-inflammatory Effects

A study reported that linalool reduced hindlimb edema in rats induced by carrageenan administration. 1)

Stress Reduction

A study reported that linalool treatment increased the time it took for mice to escape to a dark room when under light stress. Additionally, it reduced the number and duration of attacks on other mice in a confined room, indicating its stress-reducing effects.2) Linalool inhalation was observed to reverse gene expression alterations in the hypothalamus associated with stress response in mice.3) Numerous studies have documented the stress-reducing capabilities of linalool.4)5)6)

Anti-oxidant Effects

A study reported that the addition of linalool was found to suppress the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by UV irradiation in human skin fibroblasts.7)

  • 1)Peana et al., Phytomedicine, 2002
  • 2)Linck et al., Phytomedicine, 2010
  • 3)Yoshida et al., Neuroscience Letters, 2017
  • 4)Harada et al., Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 2018
  • 5)Souto-Maior et al., Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 2011
  • 6)Weston-Green et al., Frontiers in Scichiatry, 2021
  • 7)Gunaseelan et al., Plos One, 2017

IFRA

Linalool：
Oxidized linalool can cause dermal sensitization. For essential oils with a high linalool content, it is advisable to use only when the level of peroxides is maintained at a minimum (20 mol/l) through the incorporation of antioxidants.

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

References
Jennie Harding [Handbook of Essential Oil and Plant Oil] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2010.
Shinichiro Otsuki/Yukiko Ozaki [Scientific Name Etymology Dictionary of Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2009.
Jennie Harding [Illustrated Reference Book of Herbs] Sancho Publishing, 2012.
Freddy Ghozland/Xavier Fernandez [L’Herbier Parfume] Hara Publishing, 2013.
Kyohei Mikami [Comprehensive Guide to Essential Oils] Fragrance Journal, 2010.
Yuzuru Ogura [Dictionary of Plants] Tokyo-do Publishing, 1957.
Nobuo Ohashi [Dictionary of Medical Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2016.
Wanda Sellar [The directory of essential oils] Fragrance Journal, 1992.
Aroma Environment Association of Japan [AEAJ Aromatherapy Certification Official Textbook grade1&2] Sekaibunka, 1999.
Robert Tissearand [Essential Oil Safety] Fragrance Journal, 2018.
Ayako Berg [Aromatherapy Essential Oil Dictionary] Seibido Shuppan, 2022.
Azusa Annells [Enjoying Fragrance: An Illustrated Book of Aromas with Characteristics]Natsumesha CO.,LTD., 2023
International Fragrance Association, Linalool, 2004.
(All written in or translated to Japanese.)
Supervisor
Yamamoto Perfumery co., ltd.

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