Evidence supporting the use of: Cactus
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)

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Synopsis

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

Cactus, particularly species such as Nopalea cochenillifera and Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear), has been used in traditional medicine systems for respiratory complaints, including coughs. Historical records from indigenous cultures in the Americas cite the use of cactus pads and extracts for soothing irritated throats and reducing coughs, especially those characterized as spastic or dry. The mucilaginous (gel-like) content of the cactus pads is thought to have a demulcent effect, coating the throat and potentially reducing cough reflex sensitivity.

However, there is a paucity of scientific research directly investigating the efficacy of cactus preparations for spastic cough. Most evidence remains anecdotal or is derived from broader ethnobotanical surveys rather than controlled clinical trials. Some in vitro and animal studies have hinted at anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in cactus extracts, which could theoretically contribute to cough relief, but these findings have not been translated into robust clinical evidence for cough, spastic or otherwise.

Therefore, while cactus is used traditionally for this purpose and may be included in folk remedies, there is minimal scientific validation for its effectiveness in treating spastic cough.

More about Cactus
More about Cough (spastic)

Other ingredients used for Cough (spastic)

Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
lovage
nettle
ophiopogon root
orange
pear
platycodon root
plum fruit
pomegranate
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
lobelia
capsicum
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
prickly ash
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
juniper berries
dodder
sweet flag
eucalyptus
Abies spectabilis
horehound
soursop
Alcohol
Aralia
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ambergris
Acacia
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Aniseed myrtle
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bayleaf
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cnidium
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Calamus
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Chekiang Fritillary
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Ephedrine
Fritillary
Fernbush
Flavoglycosides
Glehnia littoralis
Guava
Guaco
gum
Grindelia
Gallesia
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Galangal
Glycyrrhizin
Honey
Honey loquat syrup
Ilex
Ivy
Japanese Kadsura
Jatoba
Javanese Long Pepper
Khella
Loquat
Lactucarium
Linden
Lindera
Large-Leaved Linden
Loranthus
Lungwort
Ligusticum
Mentha haplocalyx
Marsh Tea
Mucilage
Melia
Mace
Madder
Maidenhair Fern
Meadow sage
Nigella Seed
Nymphaea nouchali
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
Osmanthus
Piper chaba
Pinellia Ternata
Prepared Aconite Tuber
Polypodium
Platycodon
Paris polyphylla
Pelargonium
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Pimpinella
Poppy
Polygala
Ravinsara
Rhododendron
Sabadilla
Sete sangrias
Stemona
Shogaol
Terpenoids
Theobromine
Tea
Thymoquinone
Varuna
Vasicine
Vladimiria souliei
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone

Products containing Cactus

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