Evidence supporting the use of: Balsam pear
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Balsam pear, also known as bitter melon (Momordica charantia), is primarily used in traditional medicine systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and various folk medicines. In TCM, it is sometimes recommended for clearing heat and resolving toxicity, and occasionally mentioned for relieving coughs, especially those associated with 'heat' or inflammation. However, the use of balsam pear specifically for dry cough is based more on traditional belief than on scientific evidence.
Scientific studies on balsam pear have focused mainly on its antidiabetic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, with limited research directly examining its effects on respiratory conditions or cough. There are anecdotal reports and some herbal compendia that list balsam pear as a remedy for coughs, but controlled clinical trials or preclinical studies specifically evaluating its efficacy for dry cough are lacking.
Therefore, the use of balsam pear for dry cough can be considered as having weak support grounded in traditional use, with little to no modern scientific validation. The evidence is limited to traditional texts and anecdotal reports rather than robust clinical or pharmacological studies.
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
Fruit
Fritillary
Fernbush
Flavoglycosides
Fringed Pink
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Balsam pear
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Acne
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bronchitis
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cholesterol (high)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Gall Stones
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gout
Hangover
Headache (general)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Indigestion
Infection
Inflammation
Kidney Stones
Liver Detoxification
Malaria
Parasites (general)
Parasites (nematodes, worms)
Parasites (tapeworm)
Skin (infections)
Wounds and Sores