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

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Synopsis

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

Heartwood, particularly from plants such as Dalbergia sissoo (Indian Rosewood) or Tectona grandis (Teak), has been used in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda to manage respiratory conditions, including dry cough. In Ayurveda, heartwood is known for its cooling, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties. The traditional formulations often employ heartwood as a decoction or as part of polyherbal mixtures to soothe irritated airways and reduce cough reflexes. However, the bulk of the evidence supporting its use is derived from historical texts and ethnobotanical records rather than modern clinical trials.

Scientific studies on heartwood components (like flavonoids and tannins) have shown some anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, which could theoretically contribute to alleviating throat irritation and cough. However, there is a lack of robust, high-quality clinical research directly examining heartwood’s efficacy for dry cough in humans. Most available data are in vitro or animal studies, and clinical translation remains unclear. Thus, while heartwood retains a role in traditional remedies for dry cough, its use is justified primarily by longstanding practice rather than modern scientific validation.

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