Evidence supporting the use of: Tea (unspecified)
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Tea, in its various forms (such as green, black, or herbal tea), is a traditional remedy for cough, including dry cough. Across many cultures, warm tea is commonly consumed to soothe the throat and provide comfort during episodes of coughing. The warmth of the beverage can help temporarily relieve irritation in the throat, which may reduce the cough reflex. For dry cough specifically, tea often serves as a vehicle for other soothing agents, such as honey or lemon, which may offer additional relief.
Scientific evidence supporting the direct use of tea for dry cough is limited. Most studies focus on the symptomatic relief provided by warm fluids in general, rather than tea specifically. The benefits are thought to arise from hydration and the soothing effect of warmth on irritated mucous membranes. Some herbal teas (such as those containing licorice root or slippery elm) have traditionally been used for cough, but evidence for standard green or black tea is sparse.
In summary, tea is widely used by tradition to ease dry cough symptoms, primarily due to its soothing warmth and ability to keep the throat moist, but high-quality clinical evidence for its efficacy is lacking. Its use is best seen as a comforting traditional practice rather than a scientifically validated treatment for dry cough.
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 Tea (unspecified)
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addictions (sugar or refined carbohydrates)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Backache
Belching
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Dandruff
Depression
Diabetes