Evidence supporting the use of: Red Spruce
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Red Spruce (Picea rubens) has a history of traditional use in North American folk medicine, particularly among indigenous peoples and early settlers, for treating respiratory ailments, including dry coughs. Preparations from Red Spruce, such as teas made from the needles or bark, were consumed as remedies for coughs and other symptoms related to colds and bronchitis. The aromatic resins and essential oils present in spruce species were believed to soothe irritated airways and provide mild expectorant effects.
However, scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of Red Spruce specifically for dry cough is lacking. While some studies exist on related coniferous species indicating mild antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory properties, there have been no rigorous clinical trials or pharmacological studies confirming Red Spruce’s effectiveness for cough or respiratory conditions. Most references to its use are found in ethnobotanical literature and historical texts, rather than peer-reviewed medical research.
In summary, the use of Red Spruce for dry cough is primarily justified by traditional knowledge rather than scientific validation, and the available evidence is weak, meriting a low evidence score.
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
Fernbush
Flavoglycosides
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Red Spruce
BronchitisCongestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Inflammation
Wounds and Sores