Evidence supporting the use of: Nutmeg & Mace
For the health condition: Cough (dry)

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Synopsis

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

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) and its aril, mace, have a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, especially in Ayurveda and Unani medicine, for the management of respiratory ailments, including dry cough. Traditional texts describe nutmeg as having expectorant and soothing properties, which are believed to help alleviate cough and throat irritation. The spice is often incorporated into herbal formulations, sometimes combined with honey, to ease dry cough symptoms.

However, the scientific validation for this use is limited. Some studies have reported that nutmeg contains essential oils (such as myristicin and elemicin) that exhibit mild anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, which could theoretically contribute to respiratory symptom relief. Yet, there are no rigorous clinical trials or robust pharmacological studies directly supporting nutmeg or mace as effective treatments for dry cough. Most available evidence stems from traditional knowledge, anecdotal reports, and limited in vitro or animal studies focusing on general anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial properties.

In summary, while nutmeg and mace are traditionally used for dry cough, the scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness is weak, and their use should be guided by caution due to potential toxicity at higher doses. The evidence rating is thus moderate (2/5), primarily rooted in historical and ethnobotanical sources rather than strong scientific data.

More about Nutmeg & Mace
More about Cough (dry)

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