Synopsis

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

Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) has a long history of traditional use for treating respiratory conditions, including dry coughs. Its name and historical use are rooted in the "Doctrine of Signatures," an old belief that a plant's appearance indicates its healing properties; lungwort leaves resemble lung tissue, leading herbalists to use it for lung ailments. Traditional European herbal medicine has employed lungwort in teas and syrups to soothe irritation of the throat and bronchial tubes, presumably due to its mucilage content that can coat and calm mucous membranes.

However, there is limited modern scientific evidence to robustly validate these uses. Some laboratory and animal studies have explored lungwort's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mild antimicrobial properties, but direct clinical trials evaluating its effectiveness for dry cough in humans are lacking. The traditional use is largely based on historical practices and empirical observations rather than rigorous scientific validation. While lungwort remains present in some herbal cough remedies, its use for dry cough is best described as rooted in folk and traditional medicine, with only weak supporting evidence from modern research.

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