Oroxylum indicum, commonly known as the Indian trumpet tree or "Shyonaka" in Ayurveda, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, especially Ayurveda, for treating cough and other respiratory ailments. The bark, stem, roots, and fruits are included in various classical Ayurvedic formulations such as Dashamoola, which are prescribed for their anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and bronchodilatory properties. Texts describe its use in treating "Kasa" (cough), "Shwasa" (asthma), and throat irritations.

Modern pharmacological studies provide some support for these traditional uses. Several in vitro and animal studies have reported that extracts of Oroxylum indicum possess antitussive (cough-suppressing), anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. The bioactive compounds such as baicalein and chrysin are thought to contribute to these activities. For example, a few studies have demonstrated that root bark extracts can reduce cough frequency in animal models, likely via modulation of airway inflammation and irritation.

However, while these findings are promising, robust clinical evidence in humans is limited. Most evidence is preclinical, and there are few, if any, high-quality clinical trials directly evaluating its efficacy for cough in humans. Therefore, the justification for its use is primarily traditional, with moderate support from preclinical research.