Evidence supporting the use of: Elderberry
For the health condition: Cough (dry)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Europe and North America, for the management of respiratory illnesses, including coughs. Folk remedies often involved elderberry syrups or teas made from the berries or flowers to soothe symptoms of colds, influenza, and coughs. The primary rationale for using elderberry to treat cough—especially dry cough—stems from these traditional practices rather than robust scientific validation. Historically, it was believed that elderberry possessed anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties that could help reduce irritation in the respiratory tract and promote mucus secretion, aiding in the alleviation of cough. Despite its popularity, scientific evidence specifically supporting elderberry's efficacy for treating dry cough is limited. Some studies have explored elderberry's effects on flu symptoms and the common cold, showing a reduction in duration and severity of symptoms, but these studies typically address a constellation of symptoms rather than cough alone. Furthermore, the clinical trials conducted have often been small, with varying methodologies, and few have focused exclusively on cough type (dry vs. productive). In summary, elderberry's use for dry cough is primarily justified by tradition, with limited direct scientific evidence to support or refute its efficacy for this specific condition. Anyone considering elderberry for cough should consult with a healthcare provider, especially as some elderberry preparations may not be safe if improperly prepared.

More about elderberry
More about Cough (dry)

Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)

Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
apple
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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
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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
Glehnia littoralis
Guava
gum
Gallesia
Glycyrrhetinic acid
honey
honey loquat syrup
Hempnettle
Ilex
long pepper
Japanese kadsura
Javanese Long Pepper
Khella
loquat
Lactucarium
Lilium polyphyllum
linden
luffa
Lindera
Large-leaved linden
Loranthus
lungwort
Ligusticum
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Melia
mace
Maidenhair Fern
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Nutmeg
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polymorpha
prepared aconite tuber
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poppy
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ravinsara
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