Evidence supporting the use of: Black seed
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Black Seed (Nigella sativa) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Africa, as a remedy for respiratory ailments including coughs, asthma, and bronchitis. The seeds and their oil have been used in folk remedies to soothe dry coughs and support overall respiratory health. Traditional Persian, Unani, and Islamic medicine texts mention Black Seed as a mucolytic and expectorant agent, often recommending it in honey or as an infused tea for cough relief.
From a scientific perspective, some laboratory and animal studies suggest that thymoquinone, the main active compound in Black Seed, exhibits anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory, and mild antitussive properties. However, robust clinical trials in humans specifically evaluating its effectiveness for dry cough are limited, and most human studies focus on asthma or allergic symptoms rather than cough itself. Thus, while there are plausible biological mechanisms and a strong tradition supporting Black Seed’s use for cough, clear, high-quality clinical evidence is lacking.
In summary, the use of Black Seed for dry cough is justified primarily by traditional use, supported by modest preliminary scientific findings but lacking rigorous clinical validation for this specific condition.
Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)
AcaciaAconite
Adenophora
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Alcohol
Allium tuberosum
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
ambergris
Anamarrhena
anise
apple
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
balloon flower
banana
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
Bergenia
bermuda grass
beta-pinene
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
boneset
Bryonia
Buddha\'s hand
burning bush
butternut
cactus
calamus
capsaicin
cat's claw
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Chinese salvia root
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
Clerodendrum indicum
clove
cowage seed
cowslip
cubeb
Dichrostachys glomerata
diterpenes
dodder
dragonhead
Echinacea
Elder
elderberry
elecampane
ephedrine
fernbush
flavoglycosides
fringed pink
fritillaria
fritillary
fruit
Fumaria parviflora
Gallesia
garlic bulb
ginger
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Guava
gum
heartwood
Hedychium spicatum
Hempnettle
honey
honey loquat syrup
hyssop
Ilex
Indian bael
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
Japanese kadsura
Javanese Long Pepper
jujube
Khella
Lactucarium
Large-leaved linden
lemon
licorice root
Ligusticum
Lilium polyphyllum
linden
Lindera
long pepper
loquat
Loranthus
luffa
lungwort
mace
Maidenhair Fern
malabar nut
Marshmallow
Melia
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Mucilage
Mullein
Nettle
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
onion
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
oregano
Osha
Osmanthus
Palmyra
Paris polyphylla
parsley
pear
Pelargonium
Pepper
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
Pimpinella
Piper chaba
pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
plum fruit
Polygala
polygala root
polymorpha
pomegranate
poppy
prepared aconite tuber
radish
ravinsara
Rhododendron
Sabadilla
sarsaparilla
Sedanenolide
Sete sangrias
Shogaol
Solanaceae
Stemona
Stephania root
Sundew
sweet flag
Tamarind
Tea
Terpenoids
Theobromine
thyme
Thymol
Thymoquinone
Tonka Bean
Tragacanth
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
vitamin C
Vladimiria souliei
Waterhyssop
Wax Gourd
Yerba santa
Zedoary
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by black seed
AcneAllergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Blood Poisoning
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Congestive Heart Failure
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Epilepsy
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Influenza
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Malaria
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Migraine
Nausea and Vomiting
