Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) is a key essential oil in women’s wellness, especially during the hormonal transitions of perimenopause and menopause. Its actions are gentle but far-reaching. Clary sage supports the nervous system, plays a regulatory role in stress response, and has a long-standing tradition of use for hormonal and emotional support. Below is a breakdown of its effects through the lens of mind, body, and spirit.
Mind
Clary sage helps regulate the nervous system during times of heightened stress or emotional volatility. This is especially relevant in perimenopause, where fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels can increase vulnerability to anxiety, irritability, and sleep disturbances.
Inhalation of clary sage essential oil has been shown to lower cortisol, reduce systolic blood pressure, and promote feelings of relaxation. One study found that it helped reduce anxiety in women undergoing stressful procedures, while another documented improved mood and lowered stress markers through olfactory exposure.
These effects make clary sage a valuable tool for managing emotional reactivity, quieting mental overactivity, and restoring a sense of calm during periods of hormonal transition.
Body
Clary sage has traditionally been used to support the menstrual cycle, ease uterine tension, and promote overall hormonal balance. While it does not function as a phytoestrogen (even though there are many claims that it does), it is often described as a regulatory oil. This refers to its indirect effects on the endocrine system through nervous system modulation.
By helping to lower cortisol and calm the HPA axis, clary sage may support more balanced hormonal signaling. This is especially important in midlife, when the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis is adjusting and the body becomes more sensitive to stress.
Clary sage may also support physical symptoms such as muscle tension, sleep disruption, and menstrual discomfort. When used regularly in topical or aromatic applications, it offers practical support that aligns with both traditional use and current understanding of stress physiology.
Spirit
Clary sage is a deeply spiritual oil. It has long been associated with intuition, insight, and the third eye. Many women find that it helps quiet external noise and brings them into closer contact with their inner voice. It is often used in dreamwork, meditation, and rituals that support self-inquiry or creative visioning.
During midlife, when identity is evolving and old patterns begin to fall away, clary sage can be a steadying presence. It encourages clarity, helps us see what is ready to be released, and supports the emergence of a more authentic self. This is not subtle or symbolic. It is a direct invitation to listen, to trust, and to move from within.
We use clary sage to support you in all of the Women's Circle formulas. Its calming, balancing presence is woven throughout each product. Click here to discover the collection.
Take good care,
Françoise