Synopsis

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

Black currant (Ribes nigrum) has a long history of use in traditional European herbal medicine for respiratory ailments, including cough, sore throat, and bronchial irritation. The fruit, leaves, and buds have been employed in various preparations (syrups, infusions, and extracts) to soothe the throat and act as mild expectorants. Specifically for spastic or dry coughs, black currant is believed to exert a demulcent (soothing) and anti-inflammatory effect, attributed to its rich content of anthocyanins, vitamin C, and polyphenolic compounds. French and Russian folk medicine, in particular, cite black currant as beneficial for coughs and other upper respiratory tract symptoms. However, while these traditional uses are well-documented, robust clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of black currant for spastic cough is lacking. A few in vitro and animal studies suggest anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions of black currant extracts, but these have not been directly linked to relief of cough in humans. Therefore, while the use of black currant for spastic cough is grounded primarily in tradition, with some plausible biological rationale, there is insufficient scientific validation, and the overall evidence level is rated as low.

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