Synopsis

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

Sundew (Drosera spp.) has a long history of traditional use as a remedy for cough and other respiratory complaints. The plant has been employed in European folk medicine since at least the 12th century, commonly as an ingredient in syrups or tinctures intended to relieve dry, irritating coughs, bronchitis, and other throat irritations. The traditional rationale centers on sundew’s purported antitussive (cough-suppressant) and spasmolytic (muscle-relaxant) effects, which are attributed to various naphthoquinone compounds and flavonoids present in the plant.

While use is well documented in herbal medicine compendia and by historical practitioners, robust clinical evidence is lacking. A few in vitro and animal studies suggest that sundew extracts may possess antitussive and anti-inflammatory properties, but human clinical trials are scarce and typically have methodological limitations. Modern authoritative sources (such as the European Medicines Agency herbal monograph) recognize sundew as a traditional herbal medicinal product for relief of cough and throat irritation, but stress that such use is based on longstanding tradition rather than clinical proof. As such, the evidence supporting sundew’s efficacy for cough is primarily traditional, with limited scientific validation to date.

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