Research on Clary Sage for Cramp Relief
Are you looking for natural cramp relief?
Clary sage essential oil is here for you!
It contains components that help bring cramp relief, including linalool and linalyl acetate.
Due to research, we know Linalool and linalyl acetate relieve various issues. If I know nothing else about an essential oil—but I see that it contains high percentages of these two components—I can use that oil to soothe pain and cramps.
Research on Clary Sage for cramp relief
Clary sage oil itself has been researched, too!
A 2006 study involved female college students with painful menstrual cramps. One group of students received a massage with a linalool and linalyl acetate-rich blend of clary sage (and several other oils). A second group received a placebo (they were massaged with pure almond oil). A third group didn’t receive any massage at all.
Researchers found that…
The menstrual cramps were significantly lowered in the aromatherapy
group than in the other two groups at [two test] points.
Those are pretty impressive results! Let’s make our own cramp relief oil inspired by this research.
Clary Sage & Myrtle Cramp Oil
Massage it into your belly when you’re cramping.
Ingredients
1 fl oz (30 ml) Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis)
7 drops Clary Sage Oil (Salvia sclarea)
5 drops Green Myrtle Oil (Myrtus communis
3 drops Davana Oil (Artemisia pallens)
2 drops Bergamot Oil (Citrus bergamia)
Equipment
One 1 oz (30 ml) glass bottle
Directions
Pour the jojoba into the bottle.
Add the essential oils.
Cap tightly, then shake gently.
If you don’t have the oils for this blend, try our Clary Sage Synergy Cramp Oil recipe.
How do the other three oils in this recipe calm cramps?
Green Myrtle essential oil (Myrtus communis)
Green Myrtle oil has been associated with women’s issues for generations and was even sacred to Aphrodite in the ancient world. The aroma of Green Myrtle is fresh & herbally, with energizing camphor notes.
A-pinene and 1,8-cineole play a significant role in green myrtle’s cramp relief effects. Both of these components can calm spasms and inflammation at the same time.
Davana essential oil (Artemisia pallens)
Davana essential oil’s aroma is exotic and floral! This heady oil from South India is from the Asteraceae family (which also includes the muscle-calming rock star Roman Chamomile!)
Davana contains over 44% ketones, which we can thank for its belly-soothing benefits.
Bergamot essential oil (Citrus bergamia)
Clary sage isn’t the only essential oil with high amounts of linalool and linalyl acetate. Bergamot does, too! It’s a warm, comforting citrus oil.
Bergamot is phototoxic—which means that if you apply it to your skin above the safety recommendation and expose it to sunlight, you can develop serious burns. So even though this belly oil is meant to be applied under your clothes, I kept the bergamot drop count within a safe limit.
Learn more about phototoxic oils (and how to use them safely!)
Enjoy relaxing with your cramp relief oil!
REFERENCES
Buchbauer, G. (1993) Biological Effects and Modes of Action of Essential Oils. International Journal of Aromatherapy 5, 1, 11-14.
Han SH, Hur MH, Buckle J, Choi J, Lee MS. (2006) Effect of aromatherapy on symptoms of dysmenorrhea in college students: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2006 Jul-Aug;12(6):535-41. doi: 10.1089/acm.2006.12.535. PMID: 16884344.
Kang, P., Han, S.H., Moon, H.K., Lee, J.-M., Kim, H.-K., Min, S.S. and Seol, G.H. (2013) Citrus bergamia Risso elevates intracellular Ca2+ in human vascular endothelial cells due to release of Ca2+ from primary intracellular stores. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Article ID 759615. Available at dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/759615
Mazzanti, G., Lu, M., & Salvatore, G. (1998). Spasmolytic action of the essential oil from Hyssopus officinalis L. var. decumbens and its major components. Phytotherapy research, 12(S1).
Mills, S.Y. (1991) The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine. Harmondsworth: Penguin Arkada.
