Evidence supporting the use of: Ghee
For the health condition: Cough (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ghee, a form of clarified butter, is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine as a remedy for cough, particularly dry or irritating coughs. In Ayurveda, ghee is believed to have soothing, lubricating, and demulcent properties that help calm throat irritation and reduce coughing. It is sometimes consumed alone, mixed with herbs (such as turmeric or ginger), or added to warm milk to enhance its effects. Historical Ayurvedic texts (like the Charaka Samhita) mention the use of ghee for respiratory discomfort, attributing its benefits to its ability to balance bodily humors (doshas), nourish tissues, and promote healing.
However, scientific validation for ghee’s use specifically in treating cough is limited. There are no high-quality clinical trials or biomedical studies that directly support the efficacy of ghee for cough relief. Most available evidence is anecdotal or comes from traditional practices. Some of ghee’s soothing effect may be explained by its ability to coat and moisturize mucous membranes, providing symptomatic relief in a manner similar to other demulcents. Nevertheless, without robust scientific studies, its use remains primarily justified by tradition rather than modern evidence.
Other ingredients used for Cough (general)
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
carrot
cassia bark
cat's claw
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
fennel
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
lovage
marshmallow
nettle
ophiopogon root
orange
oregano
parsley
pear
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
plum fruit
polygala root
pomegranate
pumpkin
raspberry
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
lobelia
capsicum
Indian bael
neem tree
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
fumaria parviflora
prickly ash
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
root tuber
silk tree
juniper berries
amber
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
eucalyptus
menthol oil
peach
abies spectabilis
horehound
soursop
Alcohol
Aralia
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Agave
Allicin
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
Asam gelugor
Arrowroot
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Allyl Sulfide
Aspen
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Aniseed myrtle
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Bryonia
Blepharis
Bayleaf
Blackbrush
Big Quaking Grass
Bougainvillea
Bael
Butternut
berry
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Borage
banana
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Coconut
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Chenopodium
Cistus
Common madia
Cubeb
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Chekiang Fritillary
cola nut
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Culvers Root
Currant
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Desmodium
Dichrostachys glomerata
Empresstree
Echinacea
Elder
European Field Elm
Embelia
Fig
Garlic
Galangal
Himalayan Salt
Lily
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Sumac
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Ghee
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Addictions (general remedies for)
Afterbirth Pain
Aging (prevention)
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anemia
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chest Pain
Circulation (poor)
Cold Sores
Colic (children)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (general)
Cuts
Depression
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Edema
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Hair Care (general)