Salvia sclarea - Clary sage

Salvia sclarea, also known as clary sage, is a herbaceous plant from the family of the lip flower (Lamiaceae). It is at home in southern Europe and parts of Central Asia, but is cultivated worldwide. Because of its versatile properties and applications, it is of great importance in botany, medicine and aromatherapy.

Morphology and ecology

Salvia sclarea is a multi -year or two -year plant that reaches a height of 50 to 120 centimeters. The square stem is hairy and often slightly colored. The large, heart -shaped leaves are gray -green and also densely hairy, which gives the plant a woolly appearance. During the flowering period, which lasts from May to July, it develops striking, purple to pink flowers, which are arranged in terminal, branched shells. These flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies and thus contribute to biodiversity.

Clary sage prefers sunny, dry locations with well permeable soil. It is resistant to dryness and thrives well in limestone soils. The plant is a type of pioneer that can often be found in disturbed habitats such as fallow land or road edges.

Ingredients

Salvia sclarea is rich in essential oils, which mainly consist of linalyl acetate, Linalool, and Sclareol. These connections give the plant its characteristic, aromatic fragrance and are of great interest in the cosmetics and perfume industry. Other bioactive ingredients are flavonoids, tannins and diterpenes that have antioxidant, anti -inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Applications

In traditional medicine, clary sage has been used for various complaints for centuries. It is often used to relieve menstrual complaints, to promote digestion and to treat inflammation. Modern studies confirm some of these applications, in particular the antispasmodic and calming effects of the essential oils.

Aromatherapy uses the essential oil from Salvia sclarea to relax and reduce stress. It is often used in diffusers or massage oils to achieve a calming effect. In cosmetics it is used in skin care products because it supports skin regeneration and has an anti -inflammatory effect.

Meaning for agriculture and industry

Clary sage is increasingly cultivated as a crop. In addition to the extraction of essential oils, the plant is also valued as a soil improvement, since its deep roots loosen the floor and enrich the organic substance. It also has potential as a feed plant in ecological agriculture.

In summary, Salvia sclarea is a versatile plant that is used in many areas due to its valuable ingredients and ecological adaptability. Their importance ranges from medical to cosmetic to agricultural applications and makes them an interesting research object.