January 2004 Newsletter
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Clary Sage: Clarity for the New Year
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) is one of our most fragrant plants in the labyrinth garden. It grows up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Traditionally clary sage seeds were soaked in water to make an eye bath, hence it’s name “clary” or “clear eye.” Today it is regarded as a tonic, calming herb with estrogen-stimulating action. It is used to treat menstrual pain and premenstrual problems and with complaints associated with menopause, especially hot flashes. Clary Sage is used externally as an essential oil in aromatherapy, and according to Richo Cech of Horizon Herbs fame. “Clary is the scent of Euphoria”. At Tree Frog Farm, Clary’s purple-pink flower provides us with a pleasant airy garden smell in summer and offers it’s healing properties in our Clary Sage flower essence. Due to its invasive nature in certain livestock environments, Clary also has the dubious distinction of being on the Washington State noxious weed list (one person’s medicine is another person’s weed); and therefore not for sale at Tree Frog Farm.
Clary Sage is a biennial, which means that after its second year it casts off it seeds and dies. But we notice that Clary’s job is not yet done. We are fortunate here on Lummi Island. Rarely does the ground freeze in winter and we can work in the gardens year-round. At this time of year there is a tendency to want to “neaten up” the gardens and remove all the dead plant material to get ready for spring. We notice though, that Clary has now become cover and a seed source for resident Chickadee, Junco and Towhee. Like clowns in a circus act, these birds are continually scurrying around Clary finding food and hiding places from the wet winter winds. Not only does Clary and the rest of the old decaying plant material in the gardens provide winter wildlife habitat, they also return organic nutrients back to the soil.
The Clary Sage Flower Essence
As is often the case, Clary Sage flower essence speaks to the energetic vibration underlying its herbal use. We chose Clary Sage as the January plant of the month because it supports the vision we hold for the New Year and helps us to see what may be in the way.
Clarity. Seeing clearly the images of congestion that create roadblocks in our ability to progress. Supports “etheric seeing.” I AM clear vision along life’s pathways.
