Evidence supporting the use of: Nigella seed
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Nigella seed (Nigella sativa), also known as black seed or kalonji, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Unani, Ayurveda, and traditional Islamic medicine for respiratory conditions, including coughs and bronchitis. Its use for dry cough in particular is most strongly rooted in these traditions, where it is often mentioned as an ingredient in herbal remedies intended to soothe irritation in the throat and ease cough symptoms. Historical texts and traditional practitioners have described Nigella seed as having expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties potentially beneficial for coughs.
However, modern scientific validation of Nigella seed specifically for dry cough is limited. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest that Nigella seed and its active component, thymoquinone, have anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory, and antimicrobial effects, which could theoretically help with respiratory symptoms. A few small clinical trials have explored its effects in asthma and allergic rhinitis, with some benefit reported, but robust clinical data specifically addressing its efficacy for dry cough are lacking. Thus, while its use for cough is well-grounded in tradition and supported by some plausible mechanisms, high-quality clinical evidence is limited, and further research is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for this indication.
Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)
AcaciaAconite
Adenophora
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Alcohol
Allium tuberosum
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
ambergris
Anamarrhena
anise
apple
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
balloon flower
banana
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
Bergenia
bermuda grass
beta-pinene
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
boneset
Bryonia
Buddha\'s hand
burning bush
butternut
cactus
calamus
capsaicin
cat's claw
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Chinese salvia root
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
Clerodendrum indicum
clove
cowage seed
cowslip
cubeb
Dichrostachys glomerata
diterpenes
dodder
dragonhead
Echinacea
Elder
elderberry
elecampane
ephedrine
fernbush
flavoglycosides
fringed pink
fritillaria
fritillary
fruit
Fumaria parviflora
Gallesia
garlic bulb
ginger
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Guava
gum
heartwood
Hedychium spicatum
Hempnettle
honey
honey loquat syrup
hyssop
Ilex
Indian bael
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
Japanese kadsura
Javanese Long Pepper
jujube
Khella
Lactucarium
Large-leaved linden
lemon
licorice root
Ligusticum
Lilium polyphyllum
linden
Lindera
long pepper
loquat
Loranthus
luffa
lungwort
mace
Maidenhair Fern
malabar nut
Marshmallow
Melia
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Mucilage
Mullein
Nettle
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
onion
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
oregano
Osha
Osmanthus
Palmyra
Paris polyphylla
parsley
pear
Pelargonium
Pepper
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
Pimpinella
Piper chaba
pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
plum fruit
Polygala
polygala root
polymorpha
pomegranate
poppy
prepared aconite tuber
radish
ravinsara
Rhododendron
Sabadilla
sarsaparilla
Sedanenolide
Sete sangrias
Shogaol
Solanaceae
Stemona
Stephania root
Sundew
sweet flag
Tamarind
Tea
Terpenoids
Theobromine
thyme
Thymol
Thymoquinone
Tonka Bean
Tragacanth
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
vitamin C
Vladimiria souliei
Waterhyssop
Wax Gourd
Yerba santa
Zedoary
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Nigella seed
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Acne
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bedwetting
Bladder Infection
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Colic (children)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (sinus)
Congestive Heart Failure
Constipation (adults)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diarrhea
