Evidence supporting the use of: Asafetida
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Asafetida (Ferula assa-foetida) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Ayurveda and Unani medicine, as a remedy for respiratory ailments including dry cough. Traditional texts describe asafetida as possessing expectorant, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties, which are believed to help soothe the respiratory tract and facilitate the expulsion of mucus. Remedies often include asafetida mixed with honey or warm water to relieve cough symptoms, and it is sometimes applied externally as a poultice on the chest.
However, scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for dry cough is limited. There are a few in vitro and animal studies suggesting that asafetida has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects, which could theoretically help ease cough, but robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. Therefore, while its use for cough is rooted in tradition and common in folk remedies, it is not strongly supported by high-quality scientific data. Most claims are based on historical usage and anecdotal evidence rather than rigorous scientific validation.
Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)
aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black currant
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
marshmallow
nettle
ophiopogon root
oregano
parsley
pear
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
plum fruit
polygala root
pomegranate
thyme
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
fumaria parviflora
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
dodder
sweet flag
menthol oil
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Ambergris
acacia
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Asarum sieboldii
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Bryonia
Bayleaf
Bael
Butternut
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
banana
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Elder
Ephedrine
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Asafetida
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Allergies (respiratory)
Amenorrhea
Anxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Belching
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Canker Sores
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Constipation (adults)
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cramps and Spasms
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Emphysema
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Jaundice (adults)
Laryngitis
Leucorrhea
Menstrual Irregularity
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Sinus Infection
Urination (burning or painful)
Wounds and Sores