Evidence supporting the use of: Leek
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Leek (Allium ampeloprasum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, especially within European and some Asian herbal systems. Historically, leeks have been valued for their expectorant and soothing properties, and they were often recommended as a remedy for coughs, particularly dry or irritating coughs. This traditional use was likely influenced by the broader medicinal use of the Allium genus, which includes garlic and onion—plants well-known for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Folk remedies sometimes involved leek-infused broths or decoctions, believed to ease throat irritation and support respiratory health. However, there is a lack of robust clinical or pharmacological studies specifically evaluating leek’s effectiveness for treating dry cough in modern scientific literature. While some studies have identified mild antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in leek extracts, direct evidence supporting its use for cough relief is minimal. As such, while the traditional use of leek for cough is well documented, there is little high-quality scientific validation for this specific indication.
Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)
aloe veraalpha-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
Alcohol
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
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Leek
AnemiaAppetite (deficient)
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Gastritis
Inflammation
Liver Detoxification
Urinary Tract Infections
Wounds and Sores