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

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Synopsis

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

Gum, particularly natural plant gums such as gum arabic (Acacia senegal), tragacanth, or mastic, has a long history of traditional use in soothing dry coughs. These substances have been used in various cultures as demulcents—agents that form a soothing film over mucous membranes, thereby relieving minor pain and inflammation of the mouth and throat. Traditional herbal medicine systems, including Ayurveda and Unani, often recommend plant gums for dry coughs or throat irritation.

The proposed mechanism is that the viscous, sticky nature of gum coats the throat, reducing irritation and suppressing the cough reflex. However, scientific evidence supporting this use is limited. Some studies suggest that demulcents in general can provide symptomatic relief in dry cough, but there is a lack of high-quality, controlled clinical trials specifically evaluating plant gums for this purpose. Most modern cough lozenges or syrups rely on ingredients such as honey, glycerin, or pectin for a similar demulcent effect, rather than natural plant gums.

In summary, while the use of gum for dry cough is supported by traditional practice and there is plausible rationale for its demulcent action, robust scientific validation is lacking. The evidence rating is therefore moderate, reflecting strong tradition but limited clinical research.

More about gum
More about Cough (dry)

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
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luffa
lungwort
mace
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malabar nut
Marshmallow
Melia
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Menthol oil
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Nutmeg
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ophiopogon root
oregano
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parsley
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Pelargonium
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phellodendron amurense
Pimpinella
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pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
plum fruit
Polygala
polygala root
polymorpha
pomegranate
poppy
prepared aconite tuber
radish
ravinsara
Rhododendron
Sabadilla
sarsaparilla
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Stemona
Stephania root
Sundew
sweet flag
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Tea
Terpenoids
Theobromine
thyme
Thymol
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Tonka Bean
Tragacanth
turmeric
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vitamin C
Vladimiria souliei
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zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
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Products containing gum

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.