Evidence supporting the use of: Vasicine
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Vasicine is an alkaloid derived from the plant Adhatoda vasica (also known as Malabar nut), which has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine to treat respiratory ailments, including cough. Scientific studies have investigated vasicine for its pharmacological properties, particularly its bronchodilator, mucolytic, and expectorant activities. Research indicates that vasicine stimulates the respiratory system, enhances bronchial secretion, and helps in the removal of sputum, making it effective for productive cough. However, some studies also report antitussive (cough-suppressing) actions, which could provide relief in dry cough as well.
Preclinical studies (in vitro and animal models) have shown that vasicine and its derivatives possess significant bronchodilatory and expectorant effects, and its semi-synthetic derivative, bromhexine, is widely used as a mucolytic agent in modern medicine. Human clinical data specific to dry cough are limited, but the overall pharmacological evidence supports its role in relieving cough symptoms. Therefore, while the traditional use is well documented, the scientific validation for use in dry cough specifically is moderate, with more robust evidence available for productive cough. The evidence rating is set at 3, reflecting preclinical and limited clinical support.
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