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

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and European herbalism, as a remedy for dry coughs and other respiratory ailments. In TCM, licorice is often used to "moisten the lungs" and soothe irritated mucous membranes, alleviating dry, unproductive coughs. Its demulcent properties are thought to coat the throat, reducing the urge to cough and easing discomfort. In Western herbal traditions, licorice is commonly found in cough syrups and herbal teas for its soothing effects.

While the traditional use of licorice root for dry cough is well established, scientific studies directly evaluating its efficacy for this specific symptom are limited. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest that compounds in licorice, such as glycyrrhizin, possess anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and expectorant properties, which may contribute to its ability to alleviate cough and soothe the respiratory tract. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking or yield mixed results. Thus, while the biological plausibility exists, the evidence is not yet strong enough to fully validate its effectiveness by modern scientific standards.

In summary, licorice root's use for dry cough is primarily justified by a rich tradition of use in various cultures, supported by some promising, but not definitive, scientific findings. Caution is advised with prolonged use due to potential side effects such as hypertension and electrolyte imbalances.

More about licorice root
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
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
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
Piper chaba
polymorpha
prepared aconite tuber
Platycodon
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Pelargonium
Pimpinella
poppy
Polygala
ravinsara
reed herb
Rhododendron
Sabadilla
Stephania root
Sete sangrias
Solanaceae
Stemona
Shogaol
Sundew
Sedanenolide
Terpenoids
Theobromine
Tea
Thymoquinone
Tonka Bean
Thymol
Tragacanth
Tamarind
Vasicine
Vladimiria souliei
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
Wax Gourd
Zedoary
Zingerone

Other health conditions supported by licorice root

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)
Addison's Disease
Adenitis
Adrenal Fatigue
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Allergies (respiratory)
Amenorrhea
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anemia
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Bronchitis
Canker Sores
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cholera
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cramps (menstrual)
Crohn's Disease
Croup
Cushing's Disease
Cytomealovirus
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Emphysema
Endometriosis
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Estrogen (low)
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Fibrosis
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Goiter
Gonorrhea
Gout
Grave's Disease
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Halitosis
Hangover
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hernias
Herpes
Hiatal Hernia
Hiccups
Hot Flashes
Hypotension
Hypothyroid
Impetigo
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Itching
Itching Ears
Jaundice (adults)
Jock Itch
Kidney Infection
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Liver Detoxification
Lungs (fluid in)
Lyme Disease
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Malaria
Mastitis
Measles
Menopause
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Mononucleosis
Mood Swings
Morning Sickness
Mumps
Nausea and Vomiting
Nephritis
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Night Sweating
Nocturnal Emission
Oral Surgery
Ovarian Pain
Overacidity
Pertussis
Pleurisy
PMS (general)
Pneumonia
Poison Ivy or Oak
Rashes and Hives
Rosacea
Sore Throat
Ulcers