Feel the Power of Clary Sage

Transform your Confidence with Clary Sage

Have you ever passed fields of towering violet flowered branches, a canopy of purple, with a strong, yet unusual scent?

Not powdery enough to be Lavender, and very different from common Sage. Instead, you smell a burst of freshness, minty, herbal, tea-like, and slightly floral and citrusy scents, all intertwined into one. Coming closer to the field, the tenacious and soft odour also reveals accents of musk and amber, along with undertones of woody and even the slightest hints of spices and smoky accords.

In perfume, it blends well with sweet and powdery raw materials, such as honey, tobacco, and vanilla, and is commonly used with fern, to create an aromatic profile. It also formulates in oriental flavours, producing a chypre-like scent.

A Little History

A perennial plant, with approximately 500 varieties, its secrets lie solely in its name. Taking its genus name, “Salvia Sclarea”, and translating from Latin; “salvare” meaning “to save”, whilst “sclarea” translates as “to clear”, the health benefits and traditional uses of its oil become more apparent!

Starting in medicine, the Ancient Greeks and Romans held Clary Sage in high esteem due to its therapeutic properties. Regarding it as a sacred and miraculous plant, they believed that it could treat, cure, or prevent any diseases and illnesses. From eye-healing properties to treating snake bites, and even encouraging restful sleep; Clary Sage is truly an all-encompassing remedy.

And its properties didn't stop there… The plant's oil was also renowned for its deeply sensual and aphrodisiac qualities, and additionally was adopted in cooking, used as a flavouring in dishes, and even in wine, providing a pleasant muscatel smell and taste.  

Nowadays, Clary Sage is still similarly used, with more revealed benefits in the medical sphere; from soothing sore throats, to helping reduce fever, as well as treating depression, and any stomach ‘upsets’, or lowering blood pressure, only to name a few.0

However, Clary Sage is best renowned for its use in female sexual health: for balancing hormones, even alleviating the labour pain during childbirth, as well as helping regulate menstrual cycles, and soothing any disorders during menopause.

Process of Extraction and Purification

Mainly grown in the south-eastern region of France, as well as Russia, Romania, and the US; it is harvested in July when the summer heat is at its peak. Farmers wait for droplets to appear on the plant stems, signalling that it has reached maturity and can be harvested. Cut and then left in the heat for 2 or 3 days, it allows the precursors of the essential oil to develop and begin to ooze from the stem.

The essential oil content is highest between 12:00-16:00; however, this can vary greatly depending on the local conditions. During this period, the beautiful amber notes begin to develop.

Like most raw materials, there are two possible extraction processes. One brings the essential oil, the other, absolute. The production of essential oil is the most common natural extract. The method used, distillation, traditionally uses steam to extract aromatic compounds from the vegetal. The essence of the ingredient is obtained in its oil form, and some follow this process with purification or rectification.

Contrastingly, when obtaining the absolute, it is higher in concentrate, and the aroma is closer to the original plant product. This form is more commonly used in perfumery.

Since not all molecules are successfully captured with hydro-distillation, the solvent extraction process was developed to replace the “enfleurage”. The first extract obtained, the concrete, is a very aromatic and thick paste, containing lots of insoluble waxes, 10 to 50%.

The mixture is then purified into a second extract, the absolute, soluble at 10% in alcohol and more concentrated in the aromatic compounds. Molecular distillation can also be used, resulting in an Absolute MD, which is less colorized.

Maison 21G uses raw materials and oils supplied by perfume house, IFF, and their in-house naturals facility LMR in Grasse. For the Clary Sage plant, they focus on the traditional form, which is of the highest French quality.

Our Recommended Mixes

As an excellent fixative, adding Clary Sage can considerably increase the durability of the fragrance. Although most commonly considered suited only for male perfumes, we could not resist adding this refreshing note to mixes perfect for women too!  

Our first elixir is a potion that simply screams raw seduction…our SAGE SUPREME fragrance and our HAVANA HARVEST perfume. Sensual, yet fresh. Subtle yet powerful; this mix, is perfect as your evening-wear fragrance, unveiling your bold, mysterious, alluring character.

For the more impulsive of personalities, a fragrance mix that will make you feel limitless is undoubtedly SAGE SUPREME along with the scent of HYPNOTIC HERB. Bold, addictively fresh, with an aromatic intoxicating twist. Be prepared to be stopped by admirers, asking about your unique scent!  

As promised, a fragrance mix for our ladies; SAGE SUPREME and our AMBER AFFAIR perfume. With a single spray, you will be transported into a mist of sensual intoxication. The harmony of the warm tea-like accords, with the fresh and tangy spices, creates a subtle yet beautifully powerful aroma. Enjoy ladies and prepare for the heads to turn!

Finally, we recommend a mix of SAGE SUPREME along with our OCEAN ODYSSEY fragrance, as a perfect daily, second-skin wear. Each spray is a capsule of freshness, perfect even to be worn during sport! The freshness of the marine notes compliments the aromatic freshness of the sage, to produce a strong, boosting scent!

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