Spanish Sage Essential Oil Benefits and Uses in Aromatherapy

Spanish sage essential oil (Salvia lavandulaefolia), also called lavender-leaved or lavender sage, is a milder alternative to common sage essential oil (Salvia officinalis).

Basic Spanish Sage Facts

Plant family: Lamiaceae

Production: Steam distilled from the flowers and leaves of an evergreen shrub with small purple flowers.

Aroma: Fresh, herbal, with camphoraceous, eucalyptus-like and pine-like nuances, according to Listening to Scent. Another source states Spanish sage has a strong, distinct lavender fragrance that can be mistaken for lavender.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Middle.

Is Spanish sage safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding? No, according to multiple sources.

Is Spanish sage safe for children? Do not use with babies, according to Aromatica, Vol. 2, p. 401.

Other cautions: None known. “This oil is a mild remedy with no cumulative toxicity and no skin irritation or sensitization,” states Aromatica.

Main components:

• 1,8 cineole 12–40%
• camphor    12–36%

Other top components include alpha-terpinyl acetate, linalool, alpha-pinene, camphene, and beta-pinene.

Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition, which specifies a dermal maximum of 12.5%.

Spanish Sage Aromatherapy Benefits and Uses

The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (updated edition): Spanish sage has benefits for the following conditions:

• Acne, dermatitis, eczema, cuts, and sores
• Dandruff and hair loss
• Excessive sweating
• Gingivitis and gum inflections
• Asthma, cough, laryngitis, colds, fever, and flu (375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols states the oil helps clear mucus and relieve the chills and various bronchial and sinus infections.)
• Headaches, nervous exhaustion, and stress-related conditions
• Arthritis, fluid retention, muscle aches and pains, poor circulation, rheumatism, jaundice, liver congestion, painful menstruation, and absence of periods

The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness: Spanish sage is a general nerve tonic that you can use in an inhaler for headaches, fatigue, nervous exhaustion, and general stress. Use the essential oil in a massage blend to improve circulation and help relieve arthritis, fluid retention, menstrual pain, and general malaise.

Other uses of the oil include hair products to reduce hair loss and dandruff, natural anti-perspirants to help reduce sweating, mouth wipes to treat sore and infected gums, and body oils for dermatitis, eczema, and acne. Diffuse the oil to fight colds and flu or make cold compresses to reduce fever.

Gabriel Mojay: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Salvia lavandulaefolia essential oil revitalizes Qi-energy/Prana, re-energizes deficient Lung-Qi and a deflated Bodily Soul (Po), and tonifies the Spleen-Qi and Intellect (Yi).

Indications for the oil include lethargy, shortness of breath, despondency, nervous debility, and poor concentration and memory. The fragrance is primarily awakening, revitalizing, and uplifting. (Source: “Aromadynamics: the Qi, Prana and Pneuma of essential oils.” IFPA’s In Essence, Vol. 14 No. 4, Spring 2016, pp. 9–13.)

Aromatica: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, Volume 2: Spanish sage is a restorative and stimulant oil for relieving weak, cold conditions and has a moderate, balanced, restorative character, especially effective for relieving chronic hypotonic/weak terrain conditions. It is a cerebral and arterial stimulant, a mucus-clearing stimulant, digestive stimulant, and uterine stimulant and also relaxes muscles and relieves pain.

Psychologically, lavender-leaved sage is mainly an emotional balancer, especially for irritability, mood swings, emotional confusion, and distressed emotions. The oil also has an uplifting and confidence-promoting effect.

Stillpoint Aromatics: Use Spanish sage for the third chakra (personal power), fourth chakra (unconditional love), fifth chakra (speaking truth), sixth chakra (perspective), or seventh chakra (higher information). This comforting, protective, and purifying oil gives you strength when going through loss, encourages feeling safe, and lets you look at your vulnerability and accept yourself.

Mixing Essential Oils for Magic: Spanish sage has these benefits:

• Provides focus and stability for clairvoyance, divination, and psychic work
• Has a grounding energy that clears negativity and is instrumental for ritual purification
• Aids in finding spirit guides and helps attune you with animal power, while providing psychic protection
• Supports spiritual inspiration when seeking truth and wisdom and helps you find strength of purpose and deal with problems

Use the oil to stimulate and release memories to bring peace, comfort, and healing. Also use it for spells of wealth, prosperity, and making your wishes come true.

Spanish Sage Essential Oil Blends

Pain-Relieving Massage Oil

• 2 tablespoons carrier oil
• 6 drops Spanish sage essential oil
• 4 drops rosemary essential oil
• 2 drops coriander essential oil

Source: Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Essential Oils

Muscle and Joint Pain Relief Rub

• 4 drops Spanish sage
• 4 drops marjoram essential oil
• 6 drops roman chamomile essential oil
• 1 tablespoon carrier oil

Adapted from AromaTools

Focus & Clarity Diffuser Blend

Diffuse this blend to clear mental fog, sharpen focus, and uplift low energy.

• 4 drops Spanish sage
• 3 drops rosemary essential oil
• 3 drops peppermint essential oil
• 2 drops lemon essential oil

Use the blend in your diffuser, according to its instructions. Source: Essential 3

Relaxing Bath

Blend these ingredients and stir into your bath water:

• 3 drops Spanish sage
• 3 drops geranium essential oil
• 2 drops rose essential oil
• 1 tablespoon liquid castile soap

Adapted from Base Formula

Photo Credit: Cillas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons