Salvia spathacea — Hummingbird Sage

Common name: Hummingbird Sage
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Pharmaceutical name: Herba Salviae spathaceae

---

Experience Hummingbird Sage Firsthand

Discover our artisan-distilled Hummingbird Sage Essential Oil, sustainably wildharvested from the coastal chaparral of Santa Barbara. Sweet, slightly woody, and green, this oil carries calming and gently euphoric properties rooted in California tradition.

---

Characteristics

• Plant: Sweet, slightly pungent, aromatic, neutral
• Essential Oil: Middle note; sweet, woody-green, soft, neutral
• Hydrosol: Similar to the oil

Channel Tropism

• Lung
• Liver

Western Actions

• Antibiotic
• Antiseptic
• Euphoric
• Sedative
• Astringent

Constituent Lens (why it feels the way it works)

• 1,8-Cineole (~15%) → airway-opening clarity; anti-inflammatory support for comfortable breathing.
• Camphor (~16%) → circulatory stimulation and a clean, penetrating freshness; often perceived as “calming clarity.”
• (Z)-β-Ocimene (~26%) → green–floral lift with reported antioxidant/antifungal activity contributing to a clear, “lightening” mood profile.
• α/β-Pinene → crisp conifer facet that supports mental focus and a fresh outdoor aura.

Chinese Medicinal Actions & Indications

• Releases the Exterior & Clears Wind-Heat: For externally contracted Wind-Heat with fever and headache.

Cautions & Contraindications

• Not recommended during pregnancy.
• Always patch test before topical use; dilute if sensitivity occurs.
• Internal use of hydrosols should be supervised by a qualified practitioner.

Clinical Information

Hummingbird Sage resembles Clary Sage but offers a sweeter, less woody aroma. Clinically, patients describe the essential oil as calming, centering, and relaxing, while also gently uplifting mood in cases of anxiety and low affect.

Essential Oil & Hydrosol Treatment Protocol

Topical Use

Apply neat only after a patch test. Safer: dilute 15 drops essential oil in 1 oz (30 mL) carrier oil. Apply to chest or temples for clarity and calm.

Internal (Traditional Hydrosol Use)

Hydrosol may be sipped diluted (2 Tbsp in 1 L water throughout the day) for mild fevers or heat imbalance. Consult a practitioner for internal use.

Inhalation

Diffuse to support relaxation, calm mild anxiety, and promote restful sleep. Use during treatment sessions to set a serene atmosphere.

Personality

Salvia spathacea grows in rhizome-connected colonies and bursts into tall stalks of magenta flowers that attract Anna’s, Allen’s, and Costa’s hummingbirds. This ecological partnership gives the plant its name and highlights its abundance: each flower cut encourages new blossoms. In character, Hummingbird Sage is both grounding and expansive—antiseptic yet soothing, calming yet uplifting.

Ethnobotany

Native Californians brewed teas of Hummingbird Sage for fevers and headaches (Foster & Hobbs 272). Its fragrant leaves and blossoms were also appreciated as a natural aromatic and tonic for the spirit.

A Pioneer Distillation

Refugio Gardens, led by Dr. Amy Inez Hazard, first distilled Salvia spathacea into a pure essential oil in 1997. Though traditionally used as an herb, its aromatic potential had not been captured via steam distillation. This pioneering work established the modern fragrance and therapeutic profile of Hummingbird Sage as an essential oil. Today, Refugio Gardens is the exclusive source for authentic Hummingbird Sage Essential Oil, verified by GC–MS.

Modern Research & Chemistry Notes

GC/MS analysis shows high levels of (Z)-β-ocimene (~26%), camphor (~16%), and 1,8-cineole (~15%). These monoterpenes are widely studied: ocimene for antioxidant/antifungal activity, camphor for circulation and respiratory support, and cineole for airway opening and anti-inflammatory benefits. Together, they align with the oil’s reputation as both relaxing and clarifying. ^†

Perfume Note Breakdown

Top Notes (0–15 min)

• 1,8-Cineole → cool eucalyptus-like sparkle; immediate “clear air” sensation
• α-Pinene, β-Pinene → crisp green-conifer lift; bright focus

Middle (Heart) Notes (15 min–2 hrs)

• (Z)-β-Ocimene → green-floral sweetness; buoyant mood
• Camphor → clean herbal clarity; gently invigorating
• γ-Terpinene (+ traces linalool/borneol) → soft herbal-floral roundness

Base Notes (Drydown, 2–6 hrs)

• Woody-balsamic trace sesquiterpenes → subtle warmth and persistence

Olfactory narrative: A fresh cineole–pinene opening drifts into a sweet green-floral heart (ocimene + camphor), settling into a quiet herbal-woody veil.

Ecological Role & Potency

Hummingbird Sage thrives in coastal oak and chaparral understories, spreading by rhizomes and blooming spring through early summer. Pollination by hummingbirds drives abundant flowering, while sun-exposed, drought-adapted stands often develop stronger aromatic signatures. Our Santa Barbara terroir—sea breeze, heat, rocky soils—encourages a robust ocimene/camphor/cineole profile that translates into the oil’s clarifying sweetness. ^†

Major Known Essential Oil Constituents

• (Z)-β-Ocimene (26.48%)
• Camphor (16.37%)
• 1,8-Cineole (15.50%)
• α-Pinene (8.83%)
• β-Pinene (5.94%)
• γ-Terpinene (2.64%)
• Additional trace monoterpenes (<1%) including myrcene, limonene, borneol, linalool, and others

Experience Wild California

Bring the calming and clarifying essence of Salvia spathacea into your wellness rituals. Our Hummingbird Sage Essential Oil is sustainably wildharvested and distilled in small batches at Refugio Gardens.

Hummingbird Sage FAQ

---

Disclaimer

This article is provided for educational purposes only. Hummingbird Sage has a history of traditional use, but these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified health practitioner before using herbal products.

† For references and study details, see our References page.