Evidence supporting the use of: Pearl
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Pearl (Zhen Zhu, 珍珠) has been utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries, primarily for its supposed ability to "calm the spirit," improve skin, and promote healing. In some classical TCM texts and prescriptions, pearl powder is occasionally included in formulas intended for respiratory conditions, including cough—typically those characterized as "dry" and due to Yin deficiency or internal heat. The rationale in TCM is that pearl is thought to nourish Yin and moisten dryness, possibly benefiting a dry cough.
However, the direct use of pearl specifically for dry cough is not a central or common application, and there is minimal documentation of its efficacy for this indication even in traditional sources. Furthermore, there is no robust scientific evidence or clinical trial data supporting the use of pearl (or its main component, calcium carbonate, and trace minerals) as an effective treatment for cough of any kind. The available evidence is almost entirely anecdotal or based on traditional practice rather than rigorous scientific validation. Thus, while its use is justified by tradition to a limited extent, the supporting evidence remains weak.
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 Pearl
Acid IndigestionAnxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Arthritis
Asthma
Bleeding (external)
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Calcium Deficiency
Cataracts
Conjunctivitis
Cough (dry)
Cuts
Depression
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Eczema
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glaucoma
Hair (loss or thinning)
Headache (general)
Heart (weakness)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia
Jaundice (adults)
Migraine