Scent Almanac
Clary Sage
Salvia sclarea
Musky, herbaceous and sweet like hay, with a nutty, slightly winey-amber undertone. Some noses find it faintly sweaty.
Cautions
- Commonly advised against in pregnancy
Commonly advised against during pregnancy. Otherwise gentle on skin at normal use.
How it behaves
CandlesGood
Wax meltsGood
Reed diffuserGreat
A good 'heart' for relaxing bedroom blends. It bridges citrus top notes and woody bases.
Room & linen sprayGood
Electric (water) diffuserGreat
Cold-process soapGreat
Holds up well with no acceleration or discoloration. In lavender blends it acts as a gentle fixative.
Melt-and-pour soapGreat
Laundry & cleaningGood
Pairs well with
Lavender
Middle · Floral
Essential oil
Bergamot
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Geranium
Middle · Floral
Essential oil
Atlas Cedarwood
Base · Woody
Essential oil
Sandalwood
Base · Woody
Essential oil
Frankincense
Base · Resinous & amber
Essential oil
Grapefruit
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Rose
Middle · Floral
Absolute / CO2
Sweet Orange
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Vetiver
Base · Earthy
Essential oil
Don't have it? Try Lavender.
In these blends
Quiet Temple
Resin smoke and soft herbs in a cool stone room — for slowing down.
Bergamot · Lavender · Clary Sage · Frankincense · Myrrh
GroundingCalmingAutumnWinter
Old Library
Leather armchairs, pipe tobacco and the dusty spice of old book spines.
Clary Sage · Bergamot · Cardamom · Leather · Tobacco Leaf · Black Pepper
GroundingCozyNostalgicAutumnWinter
Honeyed Tobacco
Cured tobacco leaves and warm honey in an old barn at harvest.
Bergamot · Cardamom · Honey · Clary Sage · Geranium · Tobacco Leaf
SensualCozyAutumnWinter
A little lore
Clary sage is the main commercial source of sclareol, which perfumers convert into ambroxide, a replacement for ambergris.