Evidence supporting the use of: Pimpinella (unspecified)
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Pimpinella refers to a genus of plants, with Pimpinella anisum (anise) being the most commonly referenced species in traditional medicine for respiratory conditions such as dry cough. Traditional use of anise seeds (Pimpinella anisum) as an expectorant and cough remedy is documented in various ethnobotanical and historical pharmacopeias, particularly in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and some Asian medical traditions. The seeds are often prepared as teas, syrups, or tinctures to help soothe the throat, reduce irritation, and facilitate mucus clearance.
While preclinical studies have identified some antispasmodic and mild anti-inflammatory properties of Pimpinella anisum extracts, robust clinical evidence supporting its efficacy for dry cough is limited. Most of the support remains anecdotal or rooted in traditional herbal texts rather than modern, placebo-controlled trials. A few small studies and reviews suggest that phytochemicals such as anethole may contribute to relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle, potentially providing relief for cough symptoms, but these findings are preliminary and often not specific to dry cough.
In summary, the use of Pimpinella, especially Pimpinella anisum, for dry cough is primarily justified by longstanding traditional use, with a modest level of supporting evidence and a lack of strong scientific validation from high-quality clinical trials.
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 Pimpinella (unspecified)
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Backache
Belching
Bites and Stings
Bruises (healing)
Colds (general)
Colic (children)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cramps and Spasms
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Indigestion
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Insomnia
Jaundice (adults)
Laryngitis
Menopause
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
PMS (general)
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Sinus Infection
Sore Throat
Stress
Ulcers