Spanish Sage

Family: Lamiaceae

Botanical name: Salvia lavandulaefolia

Common names: Lavender-leaf sage, Narrow-leaf sage.

Botany

It is an evergreen shrub, similar to garden sage but with narrower leaves and small purple flowers.¹ 

Geographic origin

Spanish sage is native to the Iberian Peninsula, particularly Spain and parts of southern France.¹

Habitat

It is a hardy plant that thrives in full sun and well-drained, often stony or calcareous soils. It is drought-tolerant once established.

Cultivation

While wild-harvested, it is also cultivated for its essential oil, primarily in Spain, but also to a lesser extent in other Mediterranean regions.

Method of extraction

Steam distillation

Characteristics

Spanish sage essential oil has a fresh, camphoraceous, and herbaceous aroma with a woody undertone and a subtle sweet hint of lavender.

It has a softer slightly more floral or clean aromatic profile compared to the more pungent common sage. It has been described as a blend of sage, lavender, and rosemary scents.

While it also contains 1,8-cineole and camphor, it contains little to no thujone. This is a significant difference, as thujone is responsible for some of the more intense and harsh aspects of Salvia officinalis.

Chemical composition

One report stated the composition of Spanish sage essential oil is quite variable within the plant. The leaves and calyces are characterised by the main components 1,8-cineole, camphor, and β-pinene and the sesquiterpenes α-humulene and β-caryophyllene. On the other hand, the corolla has the highest percentage of borneol and low concentration of camphor.² 

The chemical composition of Perfect Potion’s Salvia lavandulaefolia was reported as follows:

α-pinene (7.03%), camphene (5.29%), β-pinene (4.92%), sabinene (1.84%), β-myrcene (2.41%), limonene (4.69%), 1,8-cineole (24.6%), γ-terpinene (0.42%), p-cymene (0,43%), α-thujone (0.03%), β-thujone (0,04%), trans-thuyanol (0.11%), camphor (28.2%), linalool (2.92%), linalyl acetate (2.65%), bornyl acetate (0.76%), β-caryophyllene (1.21%), terpinene-4-ol (0.43%), trans-sabinyl acetate (2.09%), α-terpineol (0.76%), borneol (1.96%), geranial (0.04%), geranyl acetate (0.36%), geranyl propionate (0.36%).³

I am surprised that Salvia lavendulaefolia is not commonly used in aromatherapy as it has a much lower percentage of thujone compared to S. officinalis:

• Salvia officinalis:  17 to 67.6%
• Salvia lavendulaefolia: trace  

Sabinyl acetate reported in Spanish sage is classified as an abortifacient. Typical % ranges from (0.5 to 9.0%). It is contraindicated during pregnancy and breast feeding.⁴

Tisserand and Young state:

Since sabinyl acetate presents a risk of abortion, maternal toxicity and teratogenicity in mice, and since a NOAEL* has not been established, Spanish sage oil should be avoided in pregnancy, and is likely to present a greater risk during the first trimester.⁴

NOAEL stands for No Observed Adverse Effect Level

 

The salvia species have a long history of culinary and medicinal use, the Latin name derives from the same root as ‘salvation’, as it was reputed to save people from illness and death. The Romans referred to it as ‘herba sacra’ the sacred herb.

The herb has been used in the form of infusions, gargles, vinegars, and poultices, particularly for mouth and throat infections, to heal wounds and clear headaches.

16^th century herbalist John Gerard described sage as follows;

‘Sage is singularly good for the head and brain, it quickeneth the senses and memory’

In Spain it was used to help maintain and restore health, protect against infection, relieve pain, aid digestion and treat menstrual problems. Sage extracts have been used for over 2,000 years to improve cognition and protect against cognitive decline.⁵

 

Pharmacological and clinical studies

While many studies exist for the Salvia species, there is often a failure to acknowledge the specific species used in the study. The two most common species studied are S. officinalis and S. lavandulaefolia. Moreover, many of the studies use ethanolic extracts of the plant rather than essential oils.

Cognitive enhancement

This is the most extensively researched area for Spanish sage essential oil and its extracts. Studies (both in vitro and in vivo, including human trials) have investigated its potential to improve memory, attention, and mood.

Both common sage and Spanish sage have a long history of use as memory-enhancing agents. It has been reported that administration of sage enhanced memory in young adult volunteers. Two experiments utilized a placebo-controlled, double-blind, balanced, crossover methodology involved. In trial 1, 20 participants received 50, 100 and 150µl of a standardised essential oil extract of Salvia lavandulaefolia and placebo. In trial 2, 24 participants received 25 and 50µl of standardised essential oil and placebo.  The results of the trial confirmed that the 50 µl dose of sage essential oil significantly improved immediate word recall in both studies. The authors noted this was the first systemic evidence that sage is capable of acute modulation of cognition in healthy young adults.⁵

The compounds most often cited in studies that contribute to the memory enhancing activity of sage are α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, and camphor. These compounds were found to be uncompetitive reversible AChE inhibitors. In vivo studies have observed that a 5 day oral administration to rats of S. lavendulaefolia essential oil led to dose dependent decreases in AChE activity in the striatum and in the hippocampus. This activity may potentially be relevant to the amelioration of the cognitive deficits associated with Alzheimer’s disease.⁶

The mechanisms are believed to involve its inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter crucial for memory. It may also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to neuroprotection.

The cholinergic system in the brain uses acetylcholine (ACh) as its primary neurotransmitter. Acetylcholine plays a vital role in learning, memory, attention, and other cognitive processes.⁷ Researchers report that the Salvia species have ‘Cholinergic properties’ which means that they somehow interact with or influence the cholinergic system.

Reversible Inhibitors means the inhibition is not permanent. The compounds can bind to an AChE and inhibit its activity, but they can also detach, allowing the enzyme to regain its function. This is generally preferred over irreversible inhibition in therapeutic contexts, as it allows for more controlled effects and less risk of permanent damage.

AChE (Acetylcholinesterase) is an enzyme whose primary function is to break down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft. By breaking down ACh, AChE helps to terminate the nerve impulse. If AChE activity is decreased, it means that less acetylcholine is being broken down. This leads to an increase in the concentration of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, allowing it to stimulate its receptors for a longer period.

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration, leading to severe memory loss, impaired judgment, language problems, and other cognitive declines. A hallmark of Alzheimer's is a significant loss of cholinergic neurons in the brain, leading to a deficiency in acetylcholine.⁷

Because Alzheimer's disease involves a decline in acetylcholine, and sage oil compounds inhibit the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine (AChE), increasing ACh levels, there's a strong hypothesis that these compounds could help counteract some of the cognitive deficits seen in Alzheimer's. Many current Alzheimer's medications (like donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine) are indeed AChE inhibitors.

So, is sage the panacea we are looking for?

Professor David O Kennedy of Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit at University of Northumbria seems to think so. He reports that studies on both species of sage do indeed possess properties potentially relevant to the attenuation of the cognitive decline associated with the downregulation of the cholinergic system seen in natural aging and dementia.⁸

While the constituents found within essential oils are studies and considered to contribute to the activity of the plant, many studies also involve the dried ethanolic extract, so we do really need more research and studies to identify the best way to use the herb – essential oil or herbal extract or a blend of the two.⁹

The potency and pharmacodynamic effects of these different extracts is likely to vary considerably, potentially impacting on their therapeutic efficacy. A common challenge for aromatherapy and herbal medicine relates to these differences in the quality of extracts, making generalised conclusions about medicinal plants difficult. However, is standardised replicable extracts or essential oils the solution?

 We also need more studies to identify the most effective way to administer sage – by ingestion or inhalation of the essential oil.

Most of the studies thus far have involved limited numbers of people, we do need larger scale clinical studies, particularly given the promising findings in Alzheimer’s disease.

According to Kennedy, it is likely that the benefits of the cholinesterase inhibiting properties of the salvia species extends past the scope of treating those with dementia, it might also be beneficial to enhance cognitive performance in the young. The results of other studies demonstrated that the cholinersterase inhibiting properties of the Salviaspecies improved mood and cognitive performance following administration of single doses in healthy young participants.⁸

Another study reported that S. lavandulifolia essential oil may have therapeutic value for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress-induced neuronal injury.¹⁰

Lopresti explains that Salvia plants are a rich source of over 160 polyphenol compounds and flavonoids. The phenolic compounds include caffeic acid and its derivatives, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid, sage-coumarin, lithospermic acids, sagernic acid, yunnaneic acids and the most prevalent flavonoids include luteolin, apigenin, hisidulin, kaempferol and quercetin and off course they are also rich in volatile terpenoid compounds found in essential oils such as α and β- thujone, camphor, α-pinene, camphene, linalool, linalool acetate, β-caryophyllene and limonene.⁹

It is very likely that cognitive performance and activity is influenced by a wide range of neurological and biochemical factors not only involving cholergenic activity but also involving amyloid-β peptide activity, neurotropic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant activity and antidepressant activity.⁹

Lopresti further states that many factors influence the potency of sage such as growing, harvesting, collection, drying and extraction methods used. This requires consideration when evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of Salvia plants. For example, in examining the antioxidant capacity of Salvia, it was found that the ethanol extracts possessed significantly higher antioxidant activity and total phenolic content compared to aqueous and CO2 extracts.⁹

In vitro, in vivo and preliminary human studies support the evidence of Salvia plants enhancing cognitive function and guarding against neurodegenerative disorders. It is my opinion that the best outcome can be achieved by an using a Salvia preparation comprising of the oil, ethanolic extract and aqueous extract.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory activity

Salvia lavandulaefolia extracts and constituents have demonstrated anticholinesterase, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, oestrogenic and CNS depressant effects all of which are relevant to the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.¹¹

Antimicrobial activity

A study has reported that Spanish sage inhibited Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, but not against P. aeruginosa.¹²

Mood enhancement

In a randomised, single-blind study, reported that oral administration of S. officinalis and S. lavendulaefolia are capable of modulating mood and cognition. It was suggested that the active compounds might also be present in the aroma. Further investigations found that the aroma of the essential oils reproduces some but not all of the effects following oral administration of the herb.¹³

 

Actions

Actions commonly cited in aromatherapy

The oil is reported as having antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, deodorant, depurative, digestive, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hypotensive, nervine, stimulant (hepatobiliary, adrenocortical glands, circulation), stomachic, tonic (nerve and general).¹

Actions supported by clinical trials

anti-microbial, antioxidant, anxiolytic, cholinergic, cognitive enhancement.

Aromatherapy uses

There is no doubt of the merits of the herbal extract or infusion of the salvia species; however, when we consider the essential oil, a great deal of caution is required. S. officinalis is reported to have a high percentage of thujone, a potential neurotoxin that is reported to provoke epileptic fits and convulsions.

Many aromatherapy books and disappointingly scientific studies, lump the properties of the various sage oils under the one heading of Salvia species. While there are many common threads connecting each of the Salvia species, the scent and chemistry of Spanish sage is different to that of Salvia officinalis, therefore while the sage oils do have common features, we can say with confidence that Spanish sage has some unique properties that make it extremely more useful and safer to use in aromatherapy.

Having said this, Spanish sage essential oil is not commonly used in aromatherapy despite its prominence in folk medicine and contemporary research in the neurosciences.

Holmes explains that like sage, Spanish sage is a restorative and stimulating oil for treating weak, cold conditions, there are differences. the first is in the odour profile of Spanish sage with its sweeter floral linalool note and the absence of the ‘bitter’ thujone note found in sage. Furthermore, he describes Spanish sage as a moderate, balanced restorative character that is particularly effective for treating chronic hypotonic/ weak terrain conditions.

Holmes reports that the psychological effects of Spanish sage is opposite to that of common sage oil. He describes it as an emotional balancer, especially for irritability, mood swings, emotional confusion and distressed emotions. This he explains is complimented with a gentle secondary uplifting and confidence-promoting effect.¹⁴

Its use in aromatherapy can include:

• Cognitive support: It has been highly valued for its perceived benefits on memory, concentration, and mental clarity. It was used to combat brain fog and improve focus.
• Digestive aid: Traditionally used to support digestion, alleviate indigestion, and reduce flatulence.
• Respiratory support: Traditionally used for respiratory complaints such as colds, coughs, and catarrh due to its expectorant and decongestant properties.
• Pain relief: traditionally used in massage oils, liniments and balms for muscular aches, sprains, and rheumatic pain.
• General tonic: Regarded as a general tonic and stimulant to help combat fatigue and weakness.

Spanish Sage essential oil typically contains very low or negligible amounts of thujone compared to Common Sage (Salvia officinalis), which is rich in thujone and is neurotoxic in high doses. This makes Spanish Sage a much safer option for aromatherapy.

 

In exploring the more subtle properties of Spanish sage, I now like to use the term ‘kotodama’ - a Japanese word that refers to the spirit of the word.

You may wish to explore the Kotodama of Scent, a book in which I explore the kotodama of 28 carefully selected Japanese words and pair them with an essential oil that embodies the same energy, the same qualities as the word.  The concept of kotodama perfectly aligns with a more holistic understanding of aromatherapy.

Spanish sage has a fresh, herbaceous, and camphoraceous aroma, interwoven with subtle, lavender-like undertones, offers a truly divine influence. Inhaling its fragrance can:

• promote mental clarity and focus – in this sense it awakens our mind, sharpens our intellect, improves concentration and enhances memory recall. It helps us be present, attentive and mentally agile, whether we are studying, working on a complex task, or simply needing to organise our thoughts. In doing so, it allows us to access our inner wisdom.
• possess a remarkable soothing and grounding quality - which makes it different to many of the other more overtly stimulating essential oils. It therefore can help to quiet mental chatter, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and promote inner peace. It helps to anchor us in the present moment, releasing tension and worry.
• promote uplifting and optimistic energy - that can shift our mood. In helps us to dispel feelings of fatigue and mental exhaustion, boosting our spirits. It encourages a more positive outlook and sense of vigour, making it beneficial during times of low motivation or emotional heaviness.

While the traditional use of sage for memory enhancement is well known, Spanish sage also has a gentler touch. In can therefore support a deeper connection to our intuition. It can act as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious mind.

Spanish sage is a divine oil, unlike some oils that hit you with an overwhelming presence, it has a more subtle, yet enduring strength and it helps clear a path through mental clutter, allowing for greater clarity. Its impact can be felt as a gentle shift rather than an abrupt change. 

 

Blending

• For enhancing cognitive performance consider blending with essential oils such as basil, lemon, cold pressed lime, peppermint or rosemary. 
• For the respiratory system for asthma and coughs consider blending with essential oils such as aniseed, cajeput, blue mallee eucalyptus, fragonia, spike lavender, sweet marjoram, myrtle, pine, or tea tree.
• For nervous exhaustion and stress-related conditions consider blending with essential oils such as atlas cedarwood, bergamot, geranium, grapefruit, hinoki wood, lavender, petitgrain, sweet orange, sandalwood or yuzu. 
• For headaches consider blending with essential oils such as lavender, peppermint or rosemary.
• For musculoskeletal system for arthritis, muscular aches and pains and rheumatism consider blending Spanish marjoram with essential oils such as black pepper, cajeput, blue mallee eucalyptus, ginger, kunzea, peppermint or rosemary.   
• For support of the digestive system and liver congestion consider blending Spanish sage with essential oils such as sweet fennel, ginger sweet orange, or peppermint.

Mode of administration

• Bath – full body bath, foot bath
• Topical – massage, ointment
• Inhalation – direct inhalation, diffuser

 

General Safety

Spanish Sage essential oil is generally considered safer for aromatherapy use than common sage (Salvia officinalis) due to its very low (or absent) thujone content.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Tisserand & Young state it is an abortifacient and recommend avoiding Spanish Sage essential oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding. They report that this is because of sabinyl acetate and the small doses of thujone. ^4,5

Storage

Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat to preserve its quality and extend its shelf life. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

 

1. Lawless J. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. Element Books Ltd, Shaftesbury, UK, 1992.

2. Schmiderer C et al. Diversity of essential oil glands of Spanish sage. Natural Product Communications. 2008;3(7):1155-1160.

3. Perfect Potion. Spanish Sage GC/MS Report.  Brisbane, 2025.

4. Tisserand R, Young R. Essential oil safety: a guide for health care professionals. Second Edition, Churchill Livingstone, 2014.

5. Rhind JP. Essential oils: A handbook for aromatherapy practice. Second edition, Singing Dragon, London, 2012.

6. Bagetta G et al, editors, Aromatherapy – basic mechanisms and evidence-based clinical use. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2016.

7. Tildesley NTJ et al. Salvia lavendulaefolia (Spanish Sage) enhances memory in young healthy volunteers. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behaviour. 2003;75(3):669-674.

8. Kennedy DO et al. Effects of cholinesterase inhibiting sage (Salvia officinalis) on mood, anxiety, and performance on psychological stressor battery. Neuropsychopharmacology, 2006;31:845-852.

9. Lopresti AL. Salvia (Sage): a review of its potential cognitive-enhancing and protective effects. Drugs  R D, 2017;17:53-64. Doi: 10.1007/s40268-016-0157-5  

10. Porres-Martinez M et al. Protective properties of Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl. Essential oil against oxidative stress-induced neuronal injury. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2015;80(June):154-162.

11. Perry NSL et al. Salvia for dementia therapy: review of pharmacological activity and pilot tolerability clinical trial. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. 2003;75(3):651-659.

12. Cutillas A-B et al. Composition and antioxidant, antienzymatic and antimicrobial activities of volatile molecules from Spanish Salvia lavandulifolia (Vahl) essential oils. Molecules. 2017;22(8):1382. doi:10.3390/molecules22081382

13. Moss L et al. Differential effects of the aromas of Salvia species on memory and mood. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 2010;25(5):388-396. doi: 10.1002/hup.1129

14. Holmes P, Aromatica – a clinical guide to essential oil therapeutics. Volume 2: Applications and profiles. Singing Dragon, London, 2019.