Evidence supporting the use of: Vasicine
For the health condition: Cough (damp)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Vasicine is an alkaloid found primarily in the plant Adhatoda vasica (also known as Malabar nut). Its use for treating cough, particularly productive or "damp" cough, is supported both by traditional Ayurvedic medicine and by scientific studies, though the scientific evidence is moderate rather than robust. Vasicine exhibits bronchodilatory, expectorant, and mild antitussive properties. Several pharmacological studies have demonstrated that vasicine stimulates bronchial secretions, helping to liquefy and expel mucus, which is beneficial in cases of cough associated with excessive phlegm. Animal studies and limited human data support its mucolytic and bronchodilating effects, aligning with its traditional usage for respiratory ailments.
In addition to expectorant action, vasicine has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, which may contribute to symptom relief in respiratory tract infections. However, high-quality randomized controlled trials in humans are limited, and most of the available evidence is preclinical or derives from traditional use. For this reason, the scientific evidence rating is moderate (3 out of 5).
In summary, vasicine is justified as a treatment for cough with phlegm ("damp cough") based on both longstanding traditional use and moderate scientific validation, particularly for its expectorant and bronchodilatory actions.
Other ingredients used for Cough (damp)
aloe verablack currant
black pepper
radish
chen pi
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
green tea
licorice root
oregano
parsley
pear
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rhizome
thyme
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
hyssop
atractylodes
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
fritillaria
coltsfoot
eucalyptus
horehound
Anamarrhena
Asarum heterotropoides
Asafoetida
Asam gelugor
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Asarum sieboldii
Atractylone
Bael
Butternut
Balloon Flower
Cineole
Common madia
Chekiang Fritillary
Chondrus
Dichrostachys glomerata
Galangal
Ivy