Evidence supporting the use of: Butternut
For the health condition: Cough (damp)

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Synopsis

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

Butternut (Juglans cinerea), also known as white walnut, has a history of traditional use by Native American and early American herbalists, primarily as a laxative, but it was also employed for respiratory conditions such as coughs associated with excess phlegm or "dampness." The bark and inner bark were most commonly used parts. The rationale in traditional herbal medicine was that Butternut’s purgative and mildly stimulating properties could help clear "dampness" and congestion from the body, including from the lungs. However, there is a lack of controlled scientific studies validating these effects for cough or respiratory conditions. Some herbal texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries reference its use for chronic bronchitis or productive coughs, but these are based on empirical observation rather than rigorous research. Modern phytochemical analysis shows Butternut contains naphthoquinones and juglone, but there is no direct evidence these compounds relieve cough. In summary, Butternut’s use for cough (damp) is supported by traditional use, especially in North American herbalism, but scientific validation for this specific indication is minimal or absent.

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