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)

Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
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
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Agastache
Anamarrhena
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
Mentha haplocalyx
Mucilage
Melia
Mace
Maidenhair Fern
Nigella Seed
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Osha
Osmanthus
Phellodendron
Palmyra
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Polymorpha
Prepared Aconite Tuber
Platycodon
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Paris polyphylla
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Pimpinella
Poppy
Polygala
Ravinsara
Reed Herb
Rhododendron
Sabadilla
Stephania root
Sete sangrias
Solanaceae
Stemona
Shogaol
Sundew
Sedanenolide
Terpenoids
Theobromine
Tea
Thymoquinone
Tonka Bean
Thymol
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Products containing gum

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