Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a long history of traditional use in various systems of medicine, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and Unani, for the relief of dry cough and other respiratory conditions. In TCM, licorice root is considered a harmonizing herb and is commonly included in herbal formulas to soothe the throat, reduce irritation, and act as an expectorant. Traditional herbal texts describe its demulcent (soothing to mucous membranes) and anti-inflammatory properties, which are thought to help alleviate dry, tickling coughs and irritation of the upper respiratory tract.

Regarding scientific evidence, laboratory and animal studies have identified that licorice contains compounds such as glycyrrhizin and liquiritin, which may have anti-inflammatory, soothing, and mild expectorant effects. However, high-quality clinical trials specifically evaluating licorice for dry cough in humans are limited and often of low methodological quality. Reviews and monographs (such as those by the European Medicines Agency and World Health Organization) acknowledge its traditional use for cough but note the lack of robust clinical data to fully support these claims. As such, while licorice is widely used in traditional remedies for dry cough, the scientific validation is limited, with most support coming from traditional use and some preclinical findings.

Patients should be cautious with prolonged or high-dose licorice use due to potential side effects, especially related to glycyrrhizin, which can cause hypertension and electrolyte disturbances.

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Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)

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