Clary sage gets its name from the Latin word clarus, which means “clear.” This association comes from the traditional use of the herb to counter inflammation of the eyes. In fact, this use was so common during the Middle Ages that the plant was referred to as Eye of Christ.
Today, the use of this oil is largely limited to aromatherapy and skin care applications. Clary sage essential oil owes its soothing effects and spicy-sweet aroma to several phytochemicals, such as linalool, geraniol and germacrene D.