Evidence supporting the use of: Meadow sage
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
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.
Other ingredients used for Cough (spastic)
aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
lovage
nettle
ophiopogon root
orange
pear
platycodon root
plum fruit
pomegranate
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
lobelia
capsicum
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
prickly ash
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
juniper berries
dodder
sweet flag
eucalyptus
abies spectabilis
horehound
soursop
Alcohol
Aralia
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ambergris
acacia
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Aniseed myrtle
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bayleaf
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cnidium
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Calamus
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Chekiang Fritillary
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Ephedrine
Galangal
Ivy
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Meadow sage
Appetite (deficient)Asthma
Backache
Bronchitis
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Depression
Dyspepsia
Fever
Headache (general)
Infection
Inflammation
Influenza
Menopause
Pain (general remedies for)
Sore Throat
Stress
Wounds and Sores