Meadow sage (Salvia pratensis) belongs to the labiates family. It has a similar effect to the related garden sage, but its effect is much milder.
Occurrence and cultivation of the meadow sage
Meadow sage likes calcareous and nutrient-rich soils. It is found in Europe and more rarely in Asia Minor. Meadow sage is a perennial plant that prefers light locations. If the light dose decreases by only 20 percent, the meadow sage can already become sterile. The plant is firmly anchored in the soil by a taproot up to one meter long. It grows up to 60 centimeters tall. The upright stems are square-shaped. Leaves are attached to them at the base. They are much larger and softer than the leaves of garden sage. At the base, the leaves are heart-shaped. The bracts of the inflorescence are rather small. From late April to late summer, the blue-purple flowers of meadow sage appear. These are pre-male labiate flowers. The individual flowers are between two and three centimeters long and two-lipped. They are five-parted and long-tubed. The calyx is bell-shaped. The meadow sage likes calcareous and nutrient-rich soils. It is found in Europe and more rarely in Asia Minor. In Germany it is often found on landfills or wood dumps. Meadow sage also feels at home along railroad tracks, along roadsides, in fields or grassy areas, and in parks.
Effect and application
Basically, meadow sage can be used similarly to garden sage. The main ingredients of the plant are essential oils, tannins and flavonoids. These substances have astringent (astringent), hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antispasmodic and stimulating effects. The areas of application are accordingly varied. Mainly the meadow sage is known for its antiperspirant effect. In case of excessive sweating, it has a regulating effect on perspiration. The sage is therefore often used during puberty or menopause. Here, women are often prone to hot flashes with outbreaks of sweating due to hormonal changes. Sage tea helps in these cases not only because it has a diaphoretic effect, but also because it contains estrogenic substances. Thus, it can help with numerous menopausal symptoms and menstrual cramps. Night sweats can also be alleviated with a tea made from meadow sage. For a sage tea, you need a teaspoon of dried sage leaves. The dried leaves are poured over with a cup of boiling water. To prevent the essential oils from volatilizing, the tea should steep covered. The infusion time is about five minutes. It is recommended to drink two to four cups of sage tea daily. The tea is also popular for the treatment of colds. Here, sage works well due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients. In addition, sage strengthens the function of the lungs. Therefore, it is not only used for infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, but can also help with smoker’s cough. In case of hoarseness and laryngitis, it is recommended to gargle with the tea. Alternatively, with a little effort, delicious sage candies can be made from the meadow sage. These can be sucked as needed and, unlike commercial candies, do not contain any additives. Sage tea can be given to nursing mothers in the weaning phase. The tea slows down milk production so that milk engorgement can be prevented. Together with birch leaves and dried yarrow, sage is also used in naturopathy to support the treatment of diabetes. However, the tea is not only effective internally, it can also be used externally for washes, rinses and baths. Used externally, the tea relieves itching from insect bites. Poorly healing wounds, eczema or ulcers can also benefit from the anti-inflammatory and disinfecting effects of meadow sage. To inhibit sweating, the tea can also be used externally as a supportive measure. In particular, excessive sweating on the feet can be well treated by sage foot baths. Vaginal rinses with sage also help against white discharge. An essential oil can be obtained from the leaves of the meadow sage. However, only the essential oil of garden sage is usually available in stores. In terms of effect, both oils are similar. In low doses, the essential oil can also be used internally. It acts here especially on the digestive tract.A tonic, decongestant and appetite stimulating effect can be observed. Also as an essential oil, the sage has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. Furthermore, the antiperspirant effect is also maintained. Applied externally, the essential oil of meadow sage has a wound-healing effect. It is also said to alleviate rheumatic complaints. Just like the garden sage, the meadow sage can also be used as a culinary herb.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Meadow sage is similar to garden sage in its effects. However, the effect of the garden sage is stronger. Therefore, garden sage has also been much better researched and also received a positive monograph from the Commission E. Its use is recommended by the commission especially for inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat. Sage is also suitable for the treatment of mild digestive complaints. Likewise, the Commission E mentions the antiperspirant effect. Since the meadow sage is very similar to the garden sage, these positive recommendations can certainly be adopted. However, due to its stronger effect, garden sage should be used if possible. Nevertheless, it is good to know what the meadow sage can do. If there is no garden sage at hand, the meadow sage can certainly be found somewhere in the vicinity. This can then be used in exactly the same way as its relative and probably brings similar success. It may be necessary to adjust the duration of application and dosage. However, ready medicines, which are made from the meadow sage, do not exist.
