Clary sage

Clary sage is a hardy, fuzzy-looking, bi-annual or perennial plant. It can grow to a height of 45-100 cm and captures attention with its long rods of flowers and square stalks. Its flowers provide a particularly fragrant and abundant nectar that attracts bees and certain butterflies. Clary sage is primarily found in southern Europe, western Asia, northern Africa and throughout the United States. For centuries, this plant has been known for its beneficial soothing medicinal benefits. It was a sacred herb for the Romans who used it as a ‘well-being plant’. In France, Charlemagne encouraged its cultivation in people’s gardens to improve health. During the Renaissance, it was used to help soothe the skin. Today, a molecule called ‘sclareolide’ is extracted from the plant (once the plant has matured fully).