Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Meadow sage (Salvia pratensis) has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine for various respiratory ailments, including coughs, particularly those characterized as spastic or irritating. The use of meadow sage for coughs is rooted in folk medicine, where its leaves and flowers were prepared as teas or syrups to soothe the throat and reduce cough reflex. This practice is similar to the use of other sage species, such as Salvia officinalis (common sage), which is better studied. The traditional justification is based on the plant’s aromatic and mildly astringent properties, believed to help calm mucous membranes in the throat.

However, scientific validation specifically for Salvia pratensis is limited. While some sage species contain compounds such as essential oils (e.g., thujone, cineole, camphor) and rosmarinic acid with potential antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects, there are few if any clinical studies directly evaluating meadow sage for spastic cough. Most references to its use are found in ethnobotanical surveys or herbal compendia rather than peer-reviewed trials. Thus, while the use of meadow sage for spastic cough is part of herbal tradition and may be supported by anecdotal reports, robust scientific evidence is lacking, warranting a modest evidence rating.

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