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

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Synopsis

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

Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida), also known as winter melon or ash gourd, has been used in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to help soothe respiratory ailments, including coughs, particularly dry coughs. In TCM, wax gourd is believed to have cooling and moistening properties, which are thought to help relieve dryness and irritation of the respiratory tract. Ayurvedic texts sometimes reference the fruit and its juice as demulcent and expectorant, suggesting its use in soothing mucous membranes and providing relief from dry, irritating coughs.

However, the scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of wax gourd for treating dry cough is limited. While some studies have explored its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, there is a lack of robust clinical trials or pharmacological studies directly evaluating its impact on cough or respiratory symptoms in humans. The traditional use is largely based on empirical knowledge and historical practice rather than modern biomedical validation. As such, while wax gourd is traditionally used for dry cough, the quality of evidence supporting this application is modest and should be interpreted with caution.

In summary, the use of wax gourd for dry cough is justified by traditional use, with limited and indirect scientific backing.

More about Wax Gourd
More about Cough (dry)

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