Evidence supporting the use of: Aloe vera
For the health condition: Cough (general)

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Synopsis

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

Aloe vera has been traditionally used in various cultures for its soothing and healing properties, particularly for skin ailments and digestive issues. Its use for cough (general) is primarily rooted in traditional medicine, especially in Ayurvedic and some folk remedies. The inner gel of the aloe vera leaf contains mucilaginous polysaccharides, which are believed to coat and soothe irritated mucous membranes of the throat, potentially providing relief from coughing. In traditional practices, aloe vera juice or syrup is sometimes recommended for dry or irritated throats and coughs. However, scientific validation for aloe vera’s effectiveness specifically for cough relief is limited. Most available studies focus on its topical or gastrointestinal applications rather than respiratory uses. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, which could theoretically support its use in soothing throat irritation. There are also anecdotal reports and small, non-rigorous studies hinting at potential benefits, but these do not constitute strong scientific evidence. Overall, while aloe vera’s use for cough has historical precedent and plausible mechanisms, there is a lack of high-quality clinical trials demonstrating its efficacy for this purpose. Thus, its use for cough remains primarily traditional, with only modest supporting evidence.

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Other ingredients used for Cough (general)

Abies spectabilis
Abrus
Acacia
Aconite
Adenophora
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
Agastache
Agave
Ajuga
Alantolactone
Albizia
Alchornea
Alcohol
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
Alstonia scholaris
amber
ambergris
Amor seco
Anamarrhena
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
Angelica
anise
Aniseed myrtle
apple
apple cider vinegar
Aralia
Ardisia
arrowroot
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
aspen
atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
balloon flower
bamboo
banana
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
Bergenia
bermuda grass
berry
beta-pinene
big quaking grass
bindweed
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
blackbrush
Blepharis
Boerhavia diffusa
boneset
borage
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
Bougainvillea
Bryonia
Buddha\'s hand
burning bush
butternut
cactus
calamus
capsaicin
capsicum
carrot
cassia bark
cat's claw
Celosia
Chaenomeles lagenaria
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chen pi
Chenopodium
Chinese salvia root
Chondrus
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamon
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citron
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Clerodendrum indicum
clove
coconut
Coin-leaf desmodium
cola nut
coltsfoot
common madia
costus
cowage seed
cowslip
cubeb
culvers Root
currant
Cyanthillium cinereum
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Dichrostachys glomerata
diterpenes
dodder
dragonhead
Echinacea
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elderberry
elecampane
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empresstree
English horsemint
ephedrine
eucalyptus
European field elm
fennel
fernbush
ferula assafoetida
fig
flavoglycosides
fritillaria
fritillary
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Fumaria parviflora
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garden cress
garlic
garlic bulb
ginger
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glehnia root
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grape
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green tea
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gum
heartwood
Hedychium spicatum
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honey
honey loquat syrup
horehound
hyacinth bean
hyssop
Ilex
Indian bael
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Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
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jujube
jungli-bean
juniper berries
Khella
Kokilaksha
Lactucarium
Large-leaved linden
Lebbek
lemon
lemongrass
Leptadenia
licorice root
Ligusticum
ligustilides
Lilium polyphyllum
lily
lime
linden
Lindera
lobelia
long pepper
longan
loquat
Loranthus
lovage
luffa
lungwort
mace
Maidenhair Fern
malabar nut
marigold
Marjoram
Marsh Tea
Marshmallow
Meadow sage
Meadowsweet
Melia
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Mesua
Mucilage
Mucolase
Mullein
Neem tree
Nettle
Nigella seed
Night jessamine
Nutmeg
Nymphaea nouchali
Oldenlandia diffusa
onion
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
orange
oregano
Oroxylum indicum
Oryza sativa
Osha
Osmanthus
Paris polyphylla
parsley
peach
pear
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Pepper
perilla
Petiveria
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phellodendron amurense
Pimpinella
Pinellia ternata
Piper chaba
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pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
Plectranthus amboinicus
plum fruit
Polygala
polygala root
Polygonatum
polymorpha
Polypodium
pomegranate
poppy
Premna
prickly ash
pumpkin
punarnava
Pyrrosia
radish
raspberry
ravinsara
Rhododendron
root tuber
rose
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sarsaparilla
Sedanenolide
Semecarpus anacardium
Sete sangrias
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silk tree
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soursop
Southern Tsangshu
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
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Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Stemona
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sweet flag
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thyme
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Yerba buena
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Yuzu
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zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by Aloe vera

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Age Spots
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Arthritis
Athlete's Foot
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Blisters
Boils
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Convalescence
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cysts
Dandruff
Denture Sores
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diaper Rash
Digestion (poor)
Duodenal Ulcers
Dysentery
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Enteritis
Fever
Foot Odor
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Halitosis
Hemorrhoids
Herpes
Hiatal Hernia
Indigestion
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Injuries
Interstitial Cystitis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Itching Ears
Jaundice (adults)
Jock Itch
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Liver Detoxification
Menopause
Oral Surgery
Overacidity
Poison Ivy or Oak
Psoriasis
Rashes and Hives
Rosacea
Scabies
Scars / Scar Tissue
Scratches and Abrasions
Seborrhea
Shingles
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin (oily)
Skin Care (general)
Slivers
Sore or Geographic Tongue
Sore Throat
Staph Infections
Stretch Marks
Stye
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Thrush
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Extraction
Toothache
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Urethritis
Urinary Tract Infections
Urination (burning or painful)
Urine (scant)
Vaginal Dryness
Vaginitis
Warts
Wounds and Sores
Wrinkles