Salvia sclarea: use, properties, and tradition

Salvia sclarea L., also known as “muscatel herb” for its leaves that, when macerated in vinegar, impart a “muscat” aroma, is a plant widely employed in winemaking to enhance the aroma of both wine and beer. It’s a crucial component in vermouth as well.

Formerly utilized for treating ocular issues, its seeds earned it the moniker “eye-cleansing plant.”

A perennial herbaceous plant, velvety and hardy, belonging to the Labiatae family; Salvia sclarea features a square stem, 40-120 cm high, with opposite, broad, oblong leaves, crenate margins, and a rough surface.

Its flowers, with a bilabiate turquoise corolla, form spikes of six, creating an apical panicle when grouped, blossoming in June-July. The small dark achenes constitute the fruits.

The entire plant is velvety and sticky, emitting a musky scent.

Key components include essential oil (linalool, sclareol, cedrene, and linalyl acetate), resin, bitter principles, tannins, gallic acid, organic salts, and minerals.

Considered a milder version of its close relative, Salvia officinalis, this plant’s flowering tops, harvested at full bloom, boast a strong aromatic and musky odor. They are rich in bitter principles and find use primarily in the liquor industry for crafting bitter tonic beverages (for example, vermouth). Valued in herbalism for its bitter-tonic, antispasmodic, astringent, and anticatarrhal properties, externally, it aids in treating gingivitis or ulcerative conditions.

Due to the high tujone content, the essential oil of Salvia officinalis can be toxic, affecting the central nervous system and triggering epileptic seizures in susceptible individuals. In aromatherapy, Salvia sclarea is preferred for its lower toxicity. The essential oil, rich in linalool, linalyl acetate, and especially sclareol, a diterpene used in the perfume industry, serves as a fixative for fragrances.

Used in massage (diluted in vegetable oil) and baths (4-5 drops), Salvia sclarea essential oil stimulates menstruation in cases of amenorrhea or irregular periods, addresses menopausal issues, abdominal cramps, digestive weakness, bronchitis, asthma, excessive sweating, aids in labor massages, and alleviates headaches.

As a nerve tonic for mental fatigue, it also soothes tension. In phytocosmetics, it’s sometimes used as a substitute for Chamomile oil due to its positive sedative and relaxing effects on the skin.

Distilled water is occasionally used as an eyelid tonic.

In the kitchen, young leaves are utilized for making fritters, while flowers enhance infusions or flavor salads.

Saint Hildegard attributes stomachic and emmenagogue virtues (promoting menstruation), enhancing life and combating headaches to Salvia sclarea. According to Hildegard: “Salvia sclarea is warm and effective against poisons and toxins. If someone has such a weak stomach that they no longer want to eat, they should take Salvia sclarea with mint and fennel dissolved in wine and honey, after meals and before bedtime. Their stomach, treated gently and detoxified, will rediscover pleasure in food.” (from Physica by Hildegard von Bingen).

Sacral bone massage with Salvia Sclarea

Massage oil blend: 5 ml St. John’s Wort oil, with added essential oils of: yarrow 2 drops, Roman chamomile 1 drop, Salvia sclarea 1 drop.

Mix well by shaking the bottle.

This quantity is sufficient for about three massages.

Useful for: tension in the lumbosacral region; also stress, restlessness, nervousness; dysmenorrhea, painful menstruation (apply before the onset of menstruation), and postural defects.

The essence obtained from Salvia sclarea has an analgesic effect, particularly on the lumbosacral region, and simultaneously acts as an antispasmodic on pelvic organs.

Yarrow essence warms and soothes cramps in the pelvic region.

Roman Chamomile essence also possesses antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and thermoregulatory qualities.

St. John’s Wort oil, known as “red oil” for its antispasmodic and thermoregulatory properties, is primarily used in neuralgia, lumbago (witch’s shot), sciatica, menstrual disorders, and muscle contractions.

(from Aroma-Massage by Susanne Fischer-Rizzi, Practical Tea)

GIULIA CALDARELLI