09/05/2025
PRECAUTIONARY USE OF CLARY SAGE FOR LABOUR AND BIRTH >>
I have become aware in my clinic practice that women are purchasing Clary Sage essential oil as an aid for birth and labour, and I’d like to bring some awareness around risks associated with its use.
Clary sage (Saliva sclera) is a powerful plant that has a historical association as a remedy for women’s health. Unfortunately, pop aromatherapy misinformation runs rampant on the internet casually suggesting the use of Clary sage to induce or speed up labour. Like all herbal medicine there is nuance, one’s individual health and pregnancy needs to be considered and contextualized.
With the use of Clary sage women have reportedly required less pharmaceutical interventions in birth, as the therapeutic effects can assist in progressing contractions and with pain management. Research suggests that Clary sage can be used safely during labour, BUT with strong precautions - this is not an oil that should be used without the knowledgable guidance of a birth attendant, nor without complete understanding of the risks. Clary sage is completely contraindicated in pregnancy, as it may cause vaginal bleeding in the pregnant mother; and it may contain levels of naturally forming compounds (thujone & camphor) known neurotoxins that could be toxic to the developing fetus. When combined with medical induction methods such as Pitocin and Misoprostol, Clary sage can cause excessive contractions, and or incoordinate contractions; this can also occur when used during established labour. Prolonged use has known to stall labour as a “negative feedback mechanism due to overdosing”. Women who have previously given birth via caesarean section or with any history of uterine surgery should also be carefully considered before administration. Essential oil quality and dosage matters.
Additionally we need to consider not just the mother and babe, but care providers within the birth space. Clary sage is an emmenagogue, a substance that stimulates or increases the flow of menstrual blood. It should be taken into consideration if the women close to the mother are bleeding or pregnant, and post birth if the mother has a retained placenta or is at risk of haemorrhage.
A mentor suggested that Clary sage is so powerful that it could be considered Nature’s Pitocin, and can be valuable when used appropriately “but equally harmful when used without adequate knowledge”. There has been some discussion around whether the extractions of this plant should be considered a controlled substance.
I also feel that it is worth the bigger consideration as to why we may be choosing to interrupt the natural process of birth by choosing interventions, alternative or not. Physiological undisturbed births in low risk pregnancies offer the best outcomes for mother and child, with growing evidence that interventions (even “natural” interventions) can increase birth complications. When we seek something outside of ourselves we are presented with the opportunity to ask the deeper question of, why? I encourage you to follow the inquiry to the heart of the matter…
Please feel free to connect if you have any questions and have conversations with your prenatal care providers.
