Celrodendrum indicum (now more correctly spelled Clerodendrum indicum), commonly known as 'Turk's Turban' or 'Tubeflower,' has a history of use in ethnomedicine across parts of Asia. Traditional healers in regions such as India and Bangladesh have used various parts of the plant—including roots and leaves—as remedies for respiratory ailments, including dry cough. The plant features in several Ayurvedic and folk medicine formulations targeting cough, asthma, and other bronchial conditions. The rationale in traditional medicine is based on the plant’s reputed expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects, though these are largely anecdotal and have not been characterized in detail in classical texts.

From a scientific standpoint, there are only limited preclinical studies on Clerodendrum indicum. Some in vitro and animal research suggests the plant may contain bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but direct evidence for efficacy against cough (dry or otherwise) is lacking. No high-quality clinical trials or mechanistic studies have been conducted specifically on its use for dry cough. Thus, its use for this purpose is primarily supported by traditional knowledge rather than robust scientific evidence.