Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Dodder (Cuscuta spp.), known as "Tu Si Zi" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been used historically in various herbal formulations. While dodder is primarily valued for its purported benefits to the liver, kidney, and reproductive health, in some traditional medical texts and folk medicine, it has occasionally been included in remedies for respiratory conditions, including cough. However, these uses are not prominent or central to dodder’s traditional roles. The rationale behind its inclusion in cough remedies is often based on its perceived ability to "tonify" the body or support general vitality, rather than any direct antitussive (cough-suppressing) effect.

From a scientific perspective, there is minimal to no clinical research evaluating dodder’s effectiveness in treating coughs. Most modern research on dodder focuses on its antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and reproductive system effects. There is no substantial scientific literature supporting its use specifically for cough, nor evidence of active compounds in dodder with proven antitussive properties. Thus, the use of dodder for cough remains primarily traditional and not well-supported by rigorous evidence. Any benefit reported is likely anecdotal or due to the use of multi-herb remedies where dodder is not the primary active ingredient.

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