Evidence supporting the use of: Linden
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Linden (Tilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos) has a long history of traditional use in European herbal medicine for treating coughs, including dry coughs. The dried flowers are commonly prepared as a tea or infusion, which is believed to have soothing, demulcent, and mild antispasmodic effects on the respiratory tract. Traditional herbal texts and pharmacopeias from Europe and North America frequently list linden flower infusions as remedies for colds, coughs, and throat irritation, often recommending them for their gentle action and pleasant taste, particularly in children and the elderly.
The rationale for this use is based on the mucilage content of linden flowers, which can coat irritated mucous membranes and alleviate dryness or tickling in the throat that triggers coughing. Furthermore, linden also contains flavonoids and volatile oils, which are thought to contribute mild anti-inflammatory and calming effects.
However, scientific validation for these effects is limited. There are few if any robust clinical trials directly assessing linden's efficacy for dry cough. Most available evidence is anecdotal or derived from traditional sources and small studies. Therefore, while linden’s use for dry cough is well-established in traditional medicine, scientific support remains weak, and the evidence is rated as moderate to low (2 out of 5).
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 Linden
AnxietyAnxiety Disorders
Burns and Scalds
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cramps (menstrual)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Fever
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Hypertension
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia
Irritability
Menopause
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Phlebitis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Worry
Wounds and Sores