Synopsis

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

Indian bael (Aegle marmelos) has a longstanding place in traditional Indian medicine, particularly Ayurveda, where it is used to manage various respiratory ailments, including coughs. The fruit, leaves, and root are all employed in different formulations, with the leaves and fruit pulp most commonly cited in remedies for cough and respiratory irritation. The rationale for its use is primarily based on its reputed demulcent (soothing), expectorant, and anti-inflammatory effects, which are believed to help calm mucous membranes and ease dry, irritating coughs.

While the traditional use of Indian bael for cough is well documented in classical Ayurvedic texts and ethnobotanical surveys, scientific studies directly evaluating its effect on dry cough are limited. Some in vitro and animal studies have shown that extracts of bael possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties, which could theoretically be beneficial for respiratory symptoms. However, robust clinical trials in humans specifically investigating its efficacy for dry cough are lacking. Thus, its use in this context is primarily justified by tradition rather than modern scientific validation.

In summary, while Indian bael is traditionally used for dry cough in Indian systems of medicine, current scientific evidence does not strongly validate this use. The tradition is supported by some preliminary pharmacological findings, but clinical confirmation remains insufficient.

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