Clary Sage Oil
Clary sage oil comes from Salvia sclarea. Small trials looked at blood pressure, mood markers and labor, but claims that it balances hormones or starts labor are not shown.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read essential oil safety before you use anything on this page.
Safety first. Essential oils are not for swallowing; a poison-centre review found that oils such as camphorated and eucalyptus oil can be harmful, even life-threatening, if ingested by children. [1] If one is swallowed, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US); for collapse, seizure or trouble breathing, call 911. For people handling the oil, a European food-safety agency opinion says it should be considered an irritant to skin and eyes and a dermal and respiratory sensitizer (something that can cause an allergy). [3] A clary-sage-specific warning for pregnancy, breastfeeding or medicines is not described in the sources we read, and "not described" does not mean "safe". If you are pregnant, ask a midwife or doctor before using any oil; see Essential oils in pregnancy and breastfeeding and Essential oil safety.
What it is
Clary sage oil comes from Salvia sclarea L., an accepted species in the mint family (Lamiaceae). [2] A European food-safety agency opinion describes the oil as made from the fresh or dried flowering stems of the plant. [3] It is a different plant from garden or common sage, which has its own page: Sage (herb). Do not assume a result for one sage applies to the other.Traditional use
Proper evidence not found for a documented traditional use of clary sage oil. We searched PubMed for Salvia sclarea essential oil trials and reviews and did not find a source describing one. Labor use appears in modern midwifery practice reports, discussed below, and is not treated as tradition.What research shows
Studies are small, short and use blends or odd measurements. Smell is hard to blind, and a 2025 meta-analysis of inhalation aromatherapy flagged lack of blinding and differing designs. [4]| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Form and people studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | In a double-blind trial of 34 women with urinary incontinence, clary sage at 5% lowered systolic blood pressure more than almond-oil control or lavender. [5] | Preliminary; biomarker | Inhaled for 60 minutes during bladder-pressure testing |
| Mood chemicals | In 22 menopausal women, cortisol fell and serotonin rose after inhalation; thyroid-stimulating hormone fell, but not significantly. [6] No placebo group is described in the abstract. | Preliminary; biomarkers | Inhaled |
| Starting labor (oxytocin) | In an 11-woman pilot at 38 to 40 weeks, no uterine contractions were seen. [7] In a larger footbath study with clary sage and lavender, oxytocin rose within the group but changes did not differ from control, and contractions did not differ. [8] | Insufficient evidence; clary sage does not reliably start labor in these studies | Inhaled or footbath, term pregnancy |
| Pain and anxiety in labor | A midwifery service study of 8,058 mothers reported clary sage and chamomile as effective for pain, but found little direct evidence that aromatherapy reduces the need for pain relief or the incidence of operative delivery. [9] A systematic review on labor anxiety included clary sage among several oils and called for better studies. [10] | Insufficient evidence (observational, mixed oils) | Inhaled or skin, many oils |
| Period pain (blend) | A cream with lavender, clary sage and marjoram at 3% eased pain, but so did a synthetic fragrance cream; pain lasted fewer days in the oil group. [11] | Insufficient evidence for clary sage alone | Abdominal massage, 48 women |
| Sleep and mood in older adults (blend) | A bergamot and clary sage pilot in 37 care-home residents improved sleep and depression scores; one participant stopped for mild intolerance and the authors call it preliminary. [12] | Insufficient evidence | Inhaled blend |
| Estrogen | In a ten-oil saliva study, the abstract names geranium and rose otto as the oils that raised estrogen; it does not report an increase for clary sage. [13] | No good evidence of benefit for hormones | Inhaled |
Labor, hormone and mood claims need care. Salivary or blood chemistry changes in small groups do not show that clary sage balances hormones, treats depression or brings on labor. The cortisol study had no placebo comparison described, and an expectation effect is possible. [14] See Aromatherapy for labor and childbirth and Essential oils for menopause and period symptoms.
Forms and why they matter
The studies used inhaled vapor (5% in one trial, a 50-fold dilution in propylene glycol in a pilot), a footbath, or a blend in massage cream. [5] [7] [8] [11] Each is a different exposure, so one result cannot be moved to another. A product's botanical name and batch details should be on the label; see Reading an essential oil label.Uses studied and safety checks for Clary Sage Oil
Read the safety checks first. Each card says whether a finding comes from people or only from the lab, which way the oil was used (scent, on skin or swallowed) and how strong the evidence is. A finding for one way of using an oil does not carry over to another.
Check before you use (3)
- Skin, eye and breathing irritation (EFSA). The EFSA animal-feed opinion says clary sage oil should be considered an irritant to skin and eyes and a dermal and respiratory sensitizer for people handling it.
- Swallowing: poison center warnings. Poison centers warn that ingested essential oils can be harmful, especially to children. A clary sage specific poisoning report was not found. If anyone swallows an oil, call a poison center (US: 1-800-222-1222) or your local emergency number.
- Cats, dogs and children. EFSA set safe feed levels for a clary sage additive in many animals, with the lowest listed for cats, but that concerns a feed additive, not diffusing or skin use. Poison Control says keep oils out of reach of children and pets and notes children have thin skin and immature livers.
Clary sage scent and blood pressure (inhaled, one small trial)
Preliminary or mixedIn a double-blind trial of 34 women with urinary incontinence, clary sage at 5 percent lowered systolic blood pressure more than almond oil control or lavender during a 60-minute test.
Supplements: Preliminary; does not replace blood pressure care.
Clary sage scent and stress hormones (inhaled, menopausal women)
Preliminary or mixedIn 22 menopausal women, cortisol fell and serotonin rose after inhaling clary sage oil; thyroid-stimulating hormone fell but not significantly. The abstract describes no placebo group.
Supplements: Preliminary biomarkers only.
Clary sage and starting labor (inhaled or footbath)
Not enough evidenceIn an 11-woman pilot at 38 to 40 weeks, no uterine contractions were seen. In a footbath study with clary sage and lavender, oxytocin rose within the group but changes did not differ from control, and contractions did not differ.
Supplements: Talk to a midwife before using any oil in pregnancy.
Pain and anxiety in labor (mixed oils)
Not enough evidenceA systematic review on labor anxiety included clary sage among many oils (lavender in five articles, clary sage among oils in three) and most studies suggested a positive effect, but it called for better studies. The existing site page also cites a midwifery study that found little direct evidence aromatherapy reduces the need for pain relief.
Supplements: Insufficient evidence for clary sage specifically.
Period pain (blend with lavender and marjoram)
Not enough evidenceA cream blend of lavender, clary sage and marjoram eased period pain; the existing page notes a fragrance cream also helped and pain lasted fewer days in the oil group.
Supplements: Insufficient evidence for clary sage alone.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not enough evidenceA 1999 review said safety in pregnancy, childbirth and babies had not been clearly demonstrated for aromatherapy oils. A clary-sage-specific statement was not found.
Supplements: Insufficient evidence either way.
Estrogen and hormone claims
Not enough evidenceIn a ten-oil saliva study, the existing page says the abstract names geranium and rose otto as the oils that raised estrogen and reports no increase for clary sage.
Supplements: No good evidence of benefit.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Body systems (2)
- Integumentary SystemDocumented risk
EFSA classifies the oil as a skin and eye irritant and dermal sensitizer.
- Respiratory SystemDocumented risk
EFSA classifies the oil as a respiratory sensitizer for people handling it.
Body parts (1)
- SkinDocumented risk
EFSA classification as an irritant and sensitizer.
Frequently asked questions
Does clary sage oil balance hormones?
Not shown. A menopausal-women study measured cortisol and serotonin, and a ten-oil estrogen study did not report a rise for clary sage. [6] [13]
Can clary sage oil start labor?
In the studies we read, it did not reliably cause contractions. [7] [8] Talk to a midwife.
Is clary sage the same as sage?
No. Clary sage is Salvia sclarea; common sage has a separate herb page. [2]
Is clary sage oil safe in pregnancy?
A specific statement is not described in the sources we read; a 1999 review said pregnancy safety had not been clearly shown. [15] Ask a midwife or doctor.
Can clary sage oil be swallowed?
No advice to swallow essential oils is given here. Poison centers warn that ingestion can be harmful. [1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety details
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: a 1999 review said safety in pregnancy, childbirth and babies had not been clearly demonstrated. [15] The labor studies were run by research teams; whether use at home is safe is not described in the sources we read. Ask a midwife or doctor.
- Skin, eyes and breathing: the 2024 European food-safety agency (EFSA) opinion on clary sage oil says it should be considered an irritant to skin and eyes and a dermal and respiratory sensitizer. [3] That opinion is about a feed additive and the safety of people who handle it, so it is not a test of home scent or massage use, but it is a reason to avoid contact with eyes and to stop if a rash or breathing trouble appears. Sensitization is also a growing concern for essential oils generally, per the 1999 review. [15] A clary-sage-specific rate of reactions is not described in the sources we read. See Essential oil skin reactions, allergy and sensitization.
- Medicines, liver and kidney, children, pets: not described in the sources we read for clary sage oil. (The EFSA opinion sets safe feed levels for animals, including cats, but that is about feed, not scent or skin use.) [3] See How interactions work.
- Blood pressure: the trial above saw a drop in systolic pressure in women having a bladder test; whether it affects people taking blood pressure medicine is not described. Ask a pharmacist.
A clinician or pharmacist decides what is right for a person. Tell the surgical team about any oils used before an operation.
References
- Unintentional exposure of young children to camphor and eucalyptus oils, Paediatrics & Child Health 2001. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Salvia sclarea, GBIF. Read 2026-10-23.
- 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, EFSA Journal 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- Inhalation aromatherapy for the treatment of comorbid insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- Randomized controlled trial for Salvia sclarea or Lavandula angustifolia: differential effects on blood pressure in female patients with urinary incontinence undergoing urodynamic examination, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2013. Read 2026-10-23.
- Changes in 5-hydroxytryptamine and cortisol plasma levels in menopausal women after inhalation of clary sage oil, Phytotherapy Research 2014. Read 2026-10-23.
- Changes in salivary oxytocin after inhalation of clary sage essential oil scent in term-pregnant women: a feasibility pilot study, BMC Research Notes 2017. Read 2026-10-23.
- Changes in Salivary Oxytocin Level of Term Pregnant Women after Aromatherapy Footbath for Spontaneous Labor Onset: A Non-Randomized Experimental Study, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- The use of aromatherapy in intrapartum midwifery practice an observational study, Complementary Therapies in Nursing & Midwifery 2000. Read 2026-10-23.
- A Systematic Review on the Anxiolytic Effect of Aromatherapy during the First Stage of Labor, Journal of Caring Sciences 2019. Read 2026-10-23.
- 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 2012. Read 2026-10-23.
- Bedtime Inhalation-Based Relaxation for Sleep Quality and Depressive Symptoms in Institutionalized Older Adults: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Gerontologist 2026. Read 2026-10-23.
- Effects of essential oil exposure on salivary estrogen concentration in perimenopausal women, Neuro Endocrinology Letters 2017. Read 2026-10-23.
- Role of suggestion in odor-induced mood change, Psychological Reports 2004. Read 2026-10-23.
- Possible health and safety problems in the use of novel plant essential oils and extracts in aromatherapy, Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 1999. Read 2026-10-23.