Relationship: Cough (general) and vitamin C

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

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Synopsis

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

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is commonly used to support immune function and is sometimes recommended for the prevention and treatment of respiratory tract infections, including coughs related to the common cold. The scientific evidence supporting its use for cough specifically is modest. Several meta-analyses and systematic reviews have examined the effects of vitamin C on the duration and severity of common cold symptoms. The general consensus is that regular vitamin C supplementation (typically at doses of 200 mg/day or more) can slightly reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms, including cough, particularly in people under physical stress (e.g., athletes, soldiers). However, taking vitamin C after the onset of symptoms has not consistently shown benefit in reducing cough duration or intensity.

Historically, vitamin C has been valued for its role in immune health, and its popularity for treating colds and coughs can be traced back to the advocacy of Linus Pauling in the 1970s. Despite its widespread use, high-quality, large-scale clinical trials have not confirmed a strong effect on cough itself. The evidence is therefore rated as moderate to low (2/5) for cough relief, with the main benefits being minor reductions in symptom duration rather than targeted cough suppression. Current guidelines do not recommend vitamin C as a primary treatment for cough, but it may offer mild symptomatic support as part of general immune support.

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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
Cistus
citron
Citrus
Clerodendrum indicum
clove
coconut
Coin-leaf desmodium
cola nut
coltsfoot
common madia
costus
cowage seed
cowslip
cubeb
culvers Root
currant
Cyanthillium cinereum
Desmodium
Dichrostachys glomerata
diterpenes
dodder
dragonhead
Echinacea
Elder
elderberry
elecampane
Embelia
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
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hyssop
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inula racemosa
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lemon
lemongrass
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licorice root
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ligustilides
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lily
lime
linden
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lobelia
long pepper
longan
loquat
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lovage
luffa
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mace
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malabar nut
marigold
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onion
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ophiopogon root
orange
oregano
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peach
pear
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perilla
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phellodendron amurense
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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
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root tuber
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sarsaparilla
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soursop
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thyme
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turmeric
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vitamin C
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Wax Gourd
White Tea
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Yuzu
Zedoary
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by vitamin C

Abrasions
Abscesses
Acne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addison's Disease
Adrenal Fatigue
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Anxiety
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Bell's Palsy
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Bleeding (external)
Bleeding (internal)
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Bruises (prevention)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Capillary Weakness
Carbuncles
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cataracts
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemical Poisoning
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colon (atonic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Copper Toxicity
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Environmental Pollution
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Problems
Eyesight (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Free Radical Damage
Gall Stones
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glaucoma
Gonorrhea
Gout
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Knees (weak)
Laryngitis
Lead Poisoning
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Ligaments (torn or injured)
Liver Detoxification
Lyme Disease
Macular Degeneration
Mastitis
Measles
Memory and Brain Function
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Metabolic Syndrome
Mononucleosis
Mumps
Nose Bleeds
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pancreatitis
PMS (general)
PMS Type C
PMS Type H
Pneumonia
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prolapsed Uterus
Prostatitis
Radiation Sickness
Rashes and Hives
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Rosacea
Scars / Scar Tissue
Schizophrenia
Scratches and Abrasions
Scurvy
Shingles
Shock
Sinus Infection
Skin (infections)
Skin Care (general)
Sore Throat
Spider Veins
Spinal Disks
Sprains
Strep Throat
Stretch Marks
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Teeth (loose)
Tendonitis
Thrush
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Extraction
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Uric Acid Retention
Urinary Tract Infections
Vaginitis
Varicose Veins
Warts
Wounds and Sores
Wrinkles

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Health Concerns

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

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Cough (general)

Other health conditions supported by vitamin C

Products containing vitamin C

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin CFor the health condition: Cough (general)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Cough (general)

Other health conditions supported by vitamin C

Products containing vitamin C

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