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

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Synopsis

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

Capsaicin, the active component in chili peppers, has been studied for its effects on cough, particularly in cases of chronic cough and cough hypersensitivity syndrome. Scientific evidence suggests that capsaicin acts on the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptors, which are present on sensory nerves in the airway. When inhaled or administered in controlled doses, capsaicin can provoke a cough, making it useful in diagnostic cough challenge tests. Interestingly, repeated or controlled exposure to capsaicin can lead to desensitization of these nerve endings, potentially reducing cough reflex sensitivity over time.

Several small clinical studies and trials have explored the use of capsaicin (often as a topical patch or through inhalation) in the management of refractory chronic cough. Results suggest some benefit, particularly for patients with cough hypersensitivity, but the evidence is still limited, inconsistent, and primarily confined to experimental or investigational settings. Capsaicin-based therapies are not yet widely adopted or recommended in major clinical guidelines for cough treatment. Overall, while there is a scientific basis for capsaicin’s role in cough modulation, the quality and quantity of clinical evidence supporting its routine use for cough are currently modest (rated 2/5).

More about Capsaicin
More about Cough (general)

Other ingredients used for Cough (general)

allspice
aloe vera
alpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
carrot
cassia bark
cat's claw
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
fennel
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
lovage
marshmallow
nettle
ophiopogon root
orange
oregano
parsley
pear
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
plum fruit
polygala root
pomegranate
pumpkin
raspberry
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
lobelia
capsicum
Indian bael
neem tree
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
fumaria parviflora
prickly ash
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
root tuber
silk tree
juniper berries
amber
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
eucalyptus
menthol oil
peach
abies spectabilis
horehound
soursop
Alcohol
Aralia
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Agave
Allicin
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
Asam gelugor
Arrowroot
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Allyl Sulfide
Aspen
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Aniseed myrtle
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Bryonia
Blepharis
Bayleaf
Blackbrush
Big Quaking Grass
Bougainvillea
Bael
Butternut
berry
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Borage
banana
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Coconut
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Chenopodium
Cistus
Common madia
Cubeb
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Chekiang Fritillary
cola nut
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Culvers Root
Currant
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Desmodium
Dichrostachys glomerata
Empresstree
English Horsemint
Echinacea
Elder
European Field Elm
Ephedrine
Embelia
Fig
Garlic
Galangal
Himalayan Salt
Ivy
Lily
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Sumac
Zucchini

Products containing Capsaicin

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