Evidence supporting the use of: Ambergris
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Ambergris, a substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia. Historical texts describe its inclusion in remedies for a variety of ailments, including respiratory issues such as dry coughs. In Unani and some traditional Persian medicine sources, ambergris was prescribed as an expectorant and a soothing agent for the throat. Its use in these settings was based on empirical observations and the belief in its warming, balancing, and aromatic qualities.
However, there is a lack of robust scientific studies or clinical trials validating the use of ambergris for dry cough or any respiratory condition. Modern pharmacological research on ambergris is very limited, and its primary uses today are in perfumery and flavoring, not medicine. Therefore, any support for its use in treating dry cough relies exclusively on historical and traditional practices rather than evidence-based medicine.
In summary, while ambergris has been used in traditional medicine for coughs, there is minimal scientific evidence to support these applications, and its use for this purpose is not recognized in contemporary medical practice.
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
Ephedrine
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Ambergris
Abdominal PainAppetite (deficient)
Asthma
Bronchitis
Congestion (lungs)
Convalescence
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Debility
Dysmenorrhea
Epilepsy
Fainting
Grief and Sadness
Headache (general)
Heart (weakness)
Indigestion
Nervous Exhaustion
Pneumonia
Seizures