Sage

Sage Essential Oil

This is a strong herbal oil and should only be used in very small amounts, and patch test first. Never use undiluted. Good for ambient uses, space clearing and the like.

Product Information

Salvia officinalis

AKA Dalmatian sage

Labiateae family (Lamiaceae)

Grown and steam distilled in Albania from organically grown herbs

This is known as "True Sage"  Sage is native to the Mediterranean and it’s part of the Mint family. Sage is used as a culinary herb, and throughout European history, from the Middle Ages, to ward off illness and infection. The term “sage” means wise, as sage has so many medicinal and energetic actions. Salvia hosts a huge group of species; over 500.

This strong and assertive oil can be used in space clearing and the like. It's a rather toxic oil when used topically so if you are not sure about it, then best to use an alternative. Sage essential oil comes with a lot of warnings and it’s true that this is not an oil for someone who hasn’t had specific essential oil training. It’s strong and can be a dermal irritant and a poison if overused internally. If that sentence makes you wonder what “overused” is, try another oil.

Arctander says

Dalmatian sage oil is a pale yellow, mobile liquid, having a fresh and strong, warm-spicy herbaceous and camphoraceous odor, somewhat reminiscent of Artemisia vulgaris oil. The flavor is equally cineolic-herbaceous, warm and burning. A peculiar sweetness, reminiscent of tansy flowers, is characteristic of the top-note. It’s used extensively as a favor ingredient, as are the dried leaves. It’s important in the flavoring of Vermouth and other bitters or apertifs. It’s interesting to note that sage’s toxicity can be blamed mostly on the high thujone levels, which was the reason Absinth was banned in Europe in the 1950s

In perfumery, Dalmatian sage is used primarily for its power, partly as a topnote, and partly for its good tenacity. The odor fadeout is sweet-herbaceous and very pleasant. Blends well with lavandin, rosemary, all citrus, rosewood, etc. It introduces fresh notes in fougères, chypres, aldehydic perfume bases, colognes, and spicy “mens” colognes and aftershaves.

Battaglia says

Sage has been used as a traditional medicine in Europe as a tonic, digestive, astringent and antispasmodic. It’s mentioned as far back as 1500 BC in the Ebers Papyrus for treating itching.

Aromatherapy uses for sage include

Antibacterial

Anti-inflammatory

Antiseptic

Antispasmodic

Astringent

Digestive

Diuretic

Chemoprotective

Emmenagogue

Febrifuge

Hypertensive

Insecticidal

Stimulant

Stomachic

Tonic

Vulnerary

Again, though, sage is not an oil for someone not trained or just reading from books. There are other, less toxic essential oils. I highly recommend buying Salvatore Battaglia’s book, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy for more information.

Pantoum for a Sage Warbler

If you were to scratch my surface,
The scent of sage would permeate
The air.  A place where songs build nests
Wood spring free, blending songs with sage--

The scent of sage would permeate
even the dampest rocks  Rejoice!
Wood spring free, blending songs with sage--
In a gravy, steeped with her voice.

Even the dampest rocks  Rejoice!
In the whispering scent of sage--
In a gravy, steeped with her voice
warbling of joy.  In a saged rain.

In the whispering scent of sage
her songs get tangled in my hair
warbling of joy.  In a saged rain
you'd hear her warbles everywhere.

Her songs get tangled in my hair--
If you were to scratch my surface,
you'd hear her warbles everywhere.
The air.  A place where songs build nests.

---Cheryl Li