Evidence supporting the use of: Gecko
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Gecko, specifically the dried body of Gekko gecko (commonly known as Tokay gecko), has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries, particularly in remedies targeting chronic cough, asthma, and other respiratory ailments. In TCM, gecko is thought to "tonify the kidney and lung," helping with symptoms such as chronic dry cough, wheezing, and weakness. Classical texts and materia medica, such as the "Bencao Gangmu" (Compendium of Materia Medica), mention its use for these purposes. However, the scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness for dry cough is minimal. Most modern research on gecko focuses on its potential immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects, but robust clinical trials specifically evaluating its efficacy in treating dry cough are lacking. Thus, while its use is well-documented in traditional medicine, there is little high-quality scientific evidence to validate these claims. The evidence rating reflects the strong traditional basis but weak scientific backing.
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