Evidence supporting the use of: Allium (unspecified)
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Allium species, particularly garlic (Allium sativum) and onion (Allium cepa), have a long history of traditional use for the management of coughs, including dry coughs, in various systems of folk and herbal medicine. Historical texts and ethnobotanical records indicate that Allium preparations (such as syrups, teas, or extracts) have been employed as home remedies for respiratory symptoms due to their reputed expectorant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. For example, onion syrup is a well-documented traditional remedy in European folk medicine for soothing dry coughs, and garlic has been included in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for similar purposes.
However, scientific evidence specifically supporting the efficacy of Allium species for dry cough is limited and of low quality. Most available studies focus on their antimicrobial or immune-modulating effects rather than direct antitussive (cough-suppressing) action. Systematic reviews and clinical trials on Allium for cough are lacking, and existing research tends to address broader respiratory infections or symptoms rather than isolated dry cough. As such, its use for dry cough is primarily justified by tradition, with only modest indirect support from the general respiratory benefits observed in some preclinical and observational studies.
Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)
aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black currant
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
marshmallow
nettle
ophiopogon root
oregano
parsley
pear
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
plum fruit
polygala root
pomegranate
thyme
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
fumaria parviflora
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
dodder
sweet flag
menthol oil
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Ambergris
acacia
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Asarum sieboldii
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Bryonia
Bayleaf
Bael
Butternut
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
banana
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Elder
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Allium (unspecified)
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Acid Indigestion
Aging (prevention)
Angina
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Appetite (deficient)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Belching
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Bladder Infection
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Bruises (prevention)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colitis
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diphtheria
Dysentery
Ear Infection or Earache
Edema
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gall Stones
Gangrene
Gas and Bloating
Giardia
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Gout
Halitosis
Headache (general)
Heart (weakness)
Hemorrhoids
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)