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

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Synopsis

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

Historical Use of Nettle for Spastic Cough:
Nettle (Urtica dioica) has a long history of use in traditional medicine across Europe, Asia, and North America. Its aerial parts and roots have been employed for a variety of ailments, particularly those involving inflammation and respiratory conditions. In the case of cough, especially spastic or convulsive cough, nettle has been included in various folk remedies, primarily as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent. Traditional herbal texts sometimes recommend nettle infusions or syrups to soothe bronchial irritation, though these uses are more common in the context of allergic or chronic respiratory complaints (e.g., hay fever, mild asthma), rather than acute spastic cough.

However, scientific evidence directly supporting nettle’s effectiveness for spastic cough is limited. Most clinical research on nettle focuses on its anti-inflammatory effects, particularly in allergic rhinitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia. There is some evidence that nettle contains compounds (e.g., flavonoids, histamine, acetylcholine) that may modulate inflammatory pathways or irritation in mucous membranes, which could theoretically relieve cough, but these effects have not been robustly studied in the context of cough, especially of the spastic type. Thus, its use for this indication is primarily based on tradition rather than strong clinical evidence, and the overall quality and quantity of supportive data is low.

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