Synopsis

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

Capsicum (commonly known as chili pepper) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for various ailments, including coughs, particularly those characterized as spastic or persistent. Traditional uses are based on the counterirritant and warming properties of capsaicin, the active component in capsicum. When applied topically or ingested, capsaicin is believed to stimulate sensory nerves, potentially leading to a reflex that can help suppress persistent coughs or clear airway secretions. Some traditional remedies involve capsicum-infused syrups or teas, aiming to provide symptomatic relief for coughs.

However, scientific validation for the use of capsicum specifically in the treatment of spastic or chronic cough is limited. While capsaicin is used in research to induce cough in order to measure cough reflex sensitivity, there is minimal evidence supporting its use as a direct antitussive (cough-suppressing) agent. Most modern clinical guidelines do not recommend capsicum or its extracts for cough due to insufficient clinical trials or robust data. Nevertheless, its role in traditional medicine is well-documented in various ethnobotanical sources, justifying a rating of 2 for traditional use, but not higher due to the absence of strong clinical evidence.

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