Synopsis

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

Brassica species, such as Brassica juncea (mustard), Brassica nigra (black mustard), and Brassica rapa, have been used traditionally in various cultures to support or treat dry cough and other respiratory ailments. In traditional Chinese medicine, mustard seeds (from Brassica juncea) are used as an expectorant and to relieve cough, often in the form of decoctions or poultices. Similarly, in European folk medicine, mustard plasters (made from ground seeds) have been applied to the chest to stimulate circulation and help relieve cough and chest congestion. The mechanism is believed to involve mild irritation that increases blood flow and potentially helps loosen mucus. However, the direct use of unspecified Brassica plant parts (rather than specifically the seeds) for dry cough is less well documented, and most traditional applications are focused on mustard species and preparations rather than the broader genus. There is minimal to no robust scientific research confirming the efficacy of Brassica species for treating dry cough, and the evidence remains largely anecdotal or based in ethnobotanical records. Therefore, while there is a basis in tradition for the use of certain Brassica species and preparations in cough, particularly mustard seed, the strength of evidence is modest and not scientifically validated.

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