Synopsis

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

Iceland Moss (Cetraria islandica) has a long history of traditional use in Europe as a remedy for respiratory ailments, particularly dry and irritating coughs. The use of Iceland Moss for this purpose is documented in traditional herbal medicine texts, where it is described as a demulcent—meaning it soothes irritated mucous membranes due to its mucilage content. The mucilage forms a protective layer on the throat lining, which can help relieve the discomfort of a dry cough and reduce the urge to cough. While Iceland Moss is included in several European pharmacopoeias and is a common ingredient in herbal cough syrups and lozenges, high-quality clinical trials to support its efficacy are limited. Some in vitro studies suggest mild antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects, but these findings have not been robustly translated into clinical recommendations. Regulatory agencies such as the HMPC (Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products) recognize its traditional use for “relief of dry cough and throat irritation,” but this is based on longstanding experience rather than modern clinical evidence. In summary, the use of Iceland Moss for dry cough is primarily justified by tradition, with a moderate degree of supportive evidence from historical and observational sources but a lack of definitive scientific validation.

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