Spanish Sage
October 2017, posted by Isabelle
‘Cur moriatur homo cui Salvia crescit in horto'
Why should a man die whilst sage is growing in his garden
(Latin proverb)
‘Salvia’ is said to come from ‘salvere’ or to be saved, heal, to be well.
Sage has been valued over the centuries by many cultures for its medicinal and therapeutic uses and in modern time as a decorative and aromatic garden shrub.
There are many varieties of Sages, only a very specific few are used in Aromatherapy and cosmetics: Common Sage (although considered toxic), Salvia officinalis, clary sage salvia scalrea, Spanish sage slavia lavandulifolia, its Greek counterpart Salvia triloba and lastly white sage, salvia apiana, American sage.
Even among those, clary sage is the marked favourite leaving the others in the shadow. This has been puzzling me for a long time now as I find Spanish Sage remarkably uplifting, soothing, calming, and refreshing. Salvia lavandulifolia ranks high on the list of my top 10 essential oils.
It is a small evergreen shrub that likes dry rocky places and has grown wild for centuries in Spain and Southern France. When crushed, its long narrow leaves ooze a beautifully aromatic scent, highlighted by a slightly camphoraceous aroma reminiscent of spike lavender.
In Spain, it is regarded as a ‘cure all’. It is believed to promote longevity, protect and cure against all infections including the plague. It has been used to treat rheumatism, digestive complaints, menstrual problems, nervous weakness and also to boost memory and cognitive responses
IN MODERN AROMATHERAPY
There are many places where Spanish sage finds its righteous place.
But before delving into the medicinal and therapeutic usage of Spanish sage, I would like to emphasize how beautifully refreshing its aroma is and what a gift it is to incorporate it in daily life.
Try this blend to burn in your kitchen or living room, to uplift, clear and cleanse – 11 drops in a burner
Spanish Sage 4
Rosemary Verbenone 3
Spike Lavender 2
Peppermint 1
Spearmint 1
If you would prefer a ready-made blend, our ‘Blue’ essential oil blend contains Spanish sage and is currently on Special offers my version into scents of the clarity, freedom and expanse of a clean blue sky.
So….
MEMORY RETENTION / ALZHEIMER
In Spain, Spanish Sage has traditionally been used in folk medicine to enhance memory and treat dementia problems. This has prompted teams of scientists to dedicate studies to explore and understand why inhaling Spanish sage essential oil should have such an effect on the brain’s cognitive mechanism.
Systematized trials carried out by the Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, at Northumbria University has proven the ability of the oil at boosting memory and concentration (1)
Another study by the Department of Pharmacology at the University complutense of Madrid has demonstrated the potential value in dementia of Salvia lavandulifolia for its sedative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticholinesterase properties. This effect is due to the presence in the essential oil of numerous bioactive terpene. Alpha-Pinene and 1,8-cineole that were identified as major compounds in S. lavandulifolia essential oil, proved to be able to protect cells against oxidative stress. These findings show that the oil might have some value in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress (2) (3)
Below are a couple of blend suggestions
- For students that are facing exams, to support through any difficult tasks that requires concentration and inspiration.
This will make 1 ml of pure essential oil. NOT to put directly on the skin
To inhale whenever necessary
6 to 10 drops in the bath
6 drops on a tissue at night
In a 5 ml bottle
Basil 3 drop
Spanish Sage – 12 drops
Rosemary cineole – 12 drops
Ginger – 6 drops
Orange – 6 drops
- To support a loved one through the effects of Alzheimer. Aromatherapy is proving a very valuable tool and the oils can have a very calming and soothing effect on the patient
This will make 1 ml of pure essential oil. NOT to put directly on the skin
To inhale whenever necessary
6 drops on a tissue
To use in the morning
Spanish Sage 3
Rosemary cineole 2
Peppermint 1
Melissa 2
To use in the evening
Spanish sage 2
Ravintsara 2
Black spruce 2
Fragonia 2
Lavender 2
RHEUMATISM, ARTHRITIS
In a 50 ml bottle bottle of tamanu oil, add the following drops. Shake well and massage into the areas of pain.
Cypress - 4
Juniper - 5
Grapefruit - 5
Spanish Sage - 5
- MUSCULAR ACHE & PAIN
In a 50ml bottle filled with half jojoba and half tamanu add the following drops of
Marjoram - 4
Roman chamomile - 3
Lavender - 3
Spanish Sage – 4
Shake well before use as Tamanu is a thick oil and tends to drop a rich deposit at the bottom of the bottle which would be a shame to waste. Tamanu has strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Massage deep into the muscles, repeat as often as the need is felt.
This makes a 1% dilution. This dosage can be doubled for topical applications.
ASTHMA / ALLERGIES
To inhale whenever necessary
put 4 to 5 drops on a tissue by the bed at night
This will make 1 ml of pure essential oil. NOT to put directly on the skin
Sapnish Sage - 6 drops
Black Spruce – 4 drops
Fragonia – 4 drops
Eucalyptus radiata 4 drops
Frankincense – 6 drops
Bergamot – 6 drops
IMMUNE SYSTEM: COLD & FLU
This will make 1 ml of pure essential oil. NOT to put directly on the skin
To inhale whenever necessary
6 to 10 drops in the bath
6 drops on a tissue at night
In a 5 ml bottle
Spanish Sage 6 drops
Tea Tree – 4 drops
Eucalyptus radiata – 4 drops
Ravintsara – 4 drops
Pine – 4 drops
Thyme linalool – 4 drops
Lemon – 6 drops
TENSION HEADACHE, STRESS
This will make 1ml of pure essential oil.
inhale whenever necessary
add 4 to 5 drops to a 10ml rollette filled with jojoba oil. Apply on the temples or on the inner wrist.
Spanish Sage - 10
Ravintsara - 6
Peppermint - 8
Lavender – 6
- HAIR LOSS
Scientific studies have proven that essential oils are able to promote hair growth (4). However this is no miracle cure and patience along with correct life style will be the major ingredients to success.
The oils included in the study were rosemary cineole 1.8 due to its high content in cineole, cedarwood, lavender and thyme.
1% dilution in a carrier. Jojoba or argan as they are both light and will go into the scalp with ease. For dry scalp, add 20% rosehip, calendula or avocado. In a 100 ml bottle, 1% will equate to 30 drops of the blend. Apply at night with fingertips and massage into the scalp although not too harshly. Keep all night, (protect bed sheet) and wash in the morning. There is no need to put too much, no need to make the hair or scalp greasy and make this experience unpleasant and a chore. Less is often more, so just enough oil as one would using a face oil or body oil.
Repeat the treatment as and when you need to wash your hair. In between, use a spray with lavender water and the same 1% concentration. Shake well and spray the scalp once or twice a day, massage well to make sure the mixture goes well into the skin. If itchiness occurs when using the spray, stop the treatment.
Add the following oils, in 100ml carrier oil or lavender water spray
6 drops of each Spanish Sage, Cedarwood, Rosemary cineole 1.8, Lavender, Thyme linalol
CAUTION
Due to the sabinyl acetate content, avoid using Spanish sage whilst pregnant. It is also not recommended for people suffering from epilepsy.
Do not take orally
REFERENCES
- Salvia lavandulaefolia (Spanish sage) enhances memory in healthy young volunteers by Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Division of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/128956852
- .Protective properties of Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl. essential oil against oxidative stress-induced neuronal injury. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Complutense of Madrid, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n 28040, Madrid, Spain. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25778348
- Major selected monoterpenes alpha-pinene and 1,8 cineole found in Salvia lavandulifolia (Spanish Sage) essential oil as regulators of cellular redox balance. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Complutense of Madrid , Spain. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25474583
- Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Department of Dermatology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Scotland. ad.ormerod@abdn.ac.uk. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9828867
- The encyclopaedia of Essential Oils – Julia Lawless isbn 978-0-00-714518-8
- Essential oil safety – Robert Tisserand , Tony Balacs isbn 0-443-05260-3
- Gabriel Mojay’s course notes