Synopsis

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

Plum fruit (Prunus domestica) has a history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in parts of Asia, for alleviating symptoms associated with dry coughs. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), various forms of plum—including smoked or dried variants like "wu mei" (smoked plum)—are incorporated into herbal formulas aimed at moistening the lungs, soothing the throat, and addressing chronic or dry coughs. The rationale is largely based on plum’s reputed ability to generate fluids, clear heat, and relieve throat discomfort, which aligns with TCM principles rather than modern biomedical mechanisms.

Scientific evidence directly supporting the use of plum fruit for treating dry cough is limited. Some laboratory research on plum extracts has identified antioxidant and mild anti-inflammatory properties, but there is a lack of clinical trials specifically evaluating its efficacy for cough relief. Most available evidence comes from traditional usage and historical records rather than controlled scientific studies. Thus, while plum is widely regarded in traditional medicine as supportive for cough, the strength of this evidence is modest, and further clinical research would be needed to validate its effectiveness by modern standards.

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