Evidence supporting the use of: Guava
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Guava (Psidium guajava) leaves and fruits are traditionally used in various cultures for the management of cough, including spastic or dry coughs. Ethnobotanical records from regions such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and India document the use of guava leaf infusions or decoctions as home remedies for coughs and other respiratory ailments. The purported benefits are often attributed to the presence of flavonoids, tannins, and other phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
However, while traditional use is well established, scientific validation remains limited. Some in vitro and animal studies indicate that guava leaf extracts possess mild anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and bronchodilatory effects, which could theoretically support their use in cough management. For example, laboratory studies have shown that guava leaf constituents can inhibit certain bacteria and reduce inflammation in respiratory tissues. Nonetheless, there is a lack of robust clinical trials specifically investigating guava’s efficacy for spastic cough in humans.
Therefore, the use of guava for cough is primarily justified by traditional practices, with only preliminary pharmacological support. High-quality human studies are needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness in this context.
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
Galangal
Ivy
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Guava
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Bronchitis
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Colitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Headache (general)