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.

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Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)

Acacia
Aconite
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
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Paris polyphylla
parsley
pear
Pelargonium
Pepper
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phellodendron amurense
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pistacia integerrima gall
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platycodon root
plum fruit
Polygala
polygala root
polymorpha
pomegranate
poppy
prepared aconite tuber
radish
ravinsara
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Sundew
sweet flag
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Tea
Terpenoids
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thyme
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Tonka Bean
Tragacanth
turmeric
Vasicine
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vitamin C
Vladimiria souliei
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Yerba santa
Zedoary
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone