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Clary (or clary sage) is a spectacularly showy biennial or short-lived perennial herb in the genus Salvia or sages. Its strong and unusual odor is considered "rank" by some while others find it very attractive. The distilled oil is occasionally found in specialty stores such as natural food stores and "scent shops". The odor is sometimes described as "sweaty", spicy or "hay-like".
Traditional uses
Clary seeds have a mucilaginous coat, and so old herbals recommended putting a seed into the eye of someone with a foreign object in it, to adhere to the object and make it easy to remove.
Clary has thick and woolly leaves, which have been used in cookery, as a vegetable.
Clary was used as a flavoring in ales before the use of hops became common, and also as a flavoring in wine, notably muscatel. Clary is used as a flavoring in some tobacco products.
Clary can be used as a tea or in aromatherapy, and is supposed to have a calming effect.
Clary is also a commune of the Nord département, in northern France.
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