Description

Sage (Dalmation) – Salvia officinalis – Croatia

Family:                        Labiatae

Country Of Origin:    Croatia

Extraction:                 Distilled from plant while flowering

Volatility:                   Top / Middle

Colour:                        Clear to pale yellow

Aroma:                        Strong earthy herbal with distinct aroma of sage

Noted Constituents

Monoterpenones (20-70%) – camphone, thujone (12-30%)

Terpenes –  Monoterpenes(5-14%) – b-caryophellene (2-5%), a-pinene (3-5%),

b-pinene (2%), camphene, myrcene      Sesquiterpenes  – carophyllene, aromadendrene

Oxides (up to 14%) – 1-8 coneole    Phenols – thymol Esters – bornyl acetate, linalyl acetate, sabinyl acetate

Cautions and Safety Data

External use only.  Do not use on the skin full strength. Always dilute in appropriate carriers before use.   Use in small amounts. If pregnant or suffering from serious medical conditions, consult a qualified health professional, experienced in the use of essential oils. May cause irritation in people with sensitive or allergic skin. Avoid with pregnancy, nursing infants or children.  Avoid with epilepsy and low blood pressure.  A very potent oil, use in small amounts. Large doses or prolonged use may overwhelm CNS (central nervous system)

Useful Information

The plant has been used for centuries in ancient and herbal medicine for its spiritual and cleansing benefits.  Smudge sticks from the dried herb are well known in folklore and native medicine to purify homes, churches and the soul.  Inhalations are thought to also provide mental clarity, improve memory and reduce mental fatigue. It serves a dual purpose of being highly antibacterial and antiviral in the treatment of colds and flu.

While a tea made from the leaves is quite common, the essential oil is not recommended for ingestion due to the concentration of certain chemicals such as ketones during distillation, some of which can be considered toxic when internalized.   A few leaves simply can’t compare to the potency and potential hazard of even 1 drop of essential oil.

Disclaimer

Essential oils are not meant to be a replacement for traditional medical treatment of diseases and conditions.  When in doubt, please consult a physician.

Image credit: Photo of Sage flowers and plant by H. Zell. Licensed under CC Attribution Share-Alike 3.0. This image has been remixed/edited.