Evidence supporting the use of: Tragacanth
For the health condition: Cough (dry)

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Synopsis

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

Tragacanth, a natural gum obtained from the dried sap of several species of Middle Eastern legumes (notably Astragalus gummifer), has a long history of use in traditional medicine for respiratory ailments, particularly dry cough. In traditional herbal systems, tragacanth is valued for its mucilaginous properties, which means it forms a gel-like substance when mixed with water. This mucilage is believed to soothe irritated mucous membranes of the throat and respiratory tract, thereby relieving dryness and suppressing the cough reflex. Historical texts in Persian, Unani, and traditional Indian medicine mention tragacanth as a demulcent and expectorant for cough and sore throat.

However, scientific validation for this use is limited. There are few, if any, rigorous clinical trials assessing tragacanth’s direct efficacy in treating dry cough. The available scientific understanding supports its role as a demulcent—substances that coat and protect mucous membranes—but this is largely based on its physical properties rather than pharmacological activity. As such, while the traditional use is well-established and plausible due to its mucilage content, robust scientific evidence for its effectiveness in treating dry cough is lacking. Most modern usage of tragacanth is in the food and pharmaceutical industries as an emulsifier, thickener, or stabilizer rather than as an active medicinal ingredient for cough.

More about Tragacanth
More about Cough (dry)

Other health conditions supported by Tragacanth

Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Ulcers

Products containing Tragacanth

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.