Evidence supporting the use of: Echinacea
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Echinacea has a long history of traditional use among Native American tribes and in Western herbal medicine, primarily for the treatment of respiratory infections such as the common cold, sore throat, and cough. The use of Echinacea for dry cough is rooted in this traditional context, as herbalists have often recommended it for its general immune-stimulating and anti-inflammatory properties. However, when it comes to scientific validation for Echinacea specifically treating dry cough, clinical evidence is limited and inconclusive.
Most modern research has focused on Echinacea’s potential to prevent or shorten the duration of the common cold and to modulate immune function, rather than directly treating cough (especially dry cough). Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have found mixed evidence for Echinacea’s efficacy in reducing the severity or duration of cold symptoms, and cough is just one of many symptoms assessed. The studies that do exist often have methodological weaknesses, such as small sample sizes or variations in Echinacea species and preparations used.
In summary, Echinacea’s use for dry cough is primarily supported by traditional use rather than strong scientific evidence. While it may be included in some herbal cough remedies, its efficacy specifically for dry cough remains unproven in rigorous clinical trials.
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 Echinacea
AbscessesAdenitis
Allergies (respiratory)
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Boils
Bronchitis
Burns and Scalds
Carbuncles
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Contagious Diseases
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Fever
Herpes
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Influenza
Injuries
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
