Salvia sclarea
Clary
a biennial or perennial member of the Salvia genus in the family Labiatae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves - raw or cooked. A strong, warm, aromatic taste and odour[11]. They are used mainly as a flavouring in cooked foods[6][14][15][2], they are similar to sage (S. officinalis)[1]. The leaves can be dipped in batter and cooked to make delicious fritters[4][11]. Flowers - raw. A pleasant taste, they can be sprinkled on chopped salads[4][10], or made into a tea[10]. The plant is sometimes used as a hop substitute in flavouring beer, imparting considerable bitterness and intoxicating properties[16] - it either makes people dead drunk or insanely exhilarated[11]. The leaves have also been used to adulterate wine and give it a muscatel flavour[11].
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Leaves
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Clary has been perceived both as a weaker version of sage (Salvia officinalis) and also as a significant herb in its own right[13]. An antispasmodic and aromatic plant, it is used mainly to treat digestive problems such as wind and indigestion[13]. It is also regarded as a tonic, calming herb that helps relieve period pain and pre-menstrual problems. Owing to its oestrogen-stimulating action, it is most effective when levels of this hormone are low[13]. The whole plant, and especially the leaves, is antispasmodic, appetizer, aromatic, astringent, balsamic, carminative, pectoral and tonic[16]. It is useful in treating disorders of the stomach and kidneys and is a valuable remedy for complaints associated with the menopause, particularly hot flushing[16][13]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[10]. The leaves can be used fresh or dried, for drying they are harvested before the plant comes into flower[10]. The seed forms a thick mucilage when it is soaked for a few minutes in water. This is efficacious in removing small particles of dust from the eyes[16][10]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Euphoric'[8].
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Appetizer
- Product or use
- Aromatherapy
- Product or use
- Aromatic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Balsamic
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Pectoral
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An essential oil is obtained from the flowering stems. Called 'Muscatel oil', it has an ambergris aroma and is used in soaps, cosmetics, as a fixative in perfumery etc[1][17][18][3][10]. A drying oil is obtained from the seed, it is used in varnishes, paints etc[18].
- Product or use
- Essential
- Product or use
- Oil
Environment
- Range
- Southern Europe to Syria.
- Habitat
- Rocky igneous slopes, mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland, shale banks and roadsides to 2000 metres in Turkey[19].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position[7]. Thrives on any ground that is not too wet[16]. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet[7]. Hardy to about -20°c[5]. A biennial or short-lived perennial[5]. The flowers can be air-dried and used as everlasting flowers[7]. A very ornamental plant, it is strongly aromatic and is sometimes cultivated for its essential oil, there are some named varieties[18][4]. When bruised, the leaves release a deliciously pungent and refreshing smell of fresh grapefruit[12]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[12]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[9].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-9517723-0-9
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8
Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00
Davis. P. H. Flora of Turkey. Edinburgh University Press 1965-00-00