Evidence supporting the use of: Costus
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Costus (Saussurea lappa), known as "kuth" in traditional medicine, has been historically used in various systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of respiratory ailments, including cough, particularly those with a spastic or persistent nature. The root of Costus is often prescribed as an expectorant and antispasmodic agent, believed to help relieve bronchial irritation and suppress cough reflexes. Ancient texts and medical treatises reference its use for "coughs of various kinds," as well as asthma and bronchitis.
Modern pharmacological studies have investigated some bioactive constituents of Costus, such as sesquiterpene lactones (e.g., costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone), which exhibit anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties in vitro and in animal models. However, direct, high-quality clinical trials evaluating Costus specifically for spastic cough in humans are lacking. Most available evidence is either anecdotal, derived from traditional usage, or based on experimental models rather than clinical endpoints.
In summary, the use of Costus for spastic cough is primarily justified by longstanding traditional practices and supported to a limited extent by preliminary pharmacological data. Strong scientific validation through controlled clinical studies is still absent, warranting a moderate evidence rating.
Other ingredients used for Cough (spastic)
Aloe veraalpha-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
Other health conditions supported by Costus
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Backache
Bladder Infection
Blood Poisoning
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Emphysema
Fatigue
Fever
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)