Evidence supporting the use of: Turmeric
For the health condition: Cough (general)

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Synopsis

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

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating respiratory ailments, including cough. The traditional rationale is based on turmeric’s reputed anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and soothing properties. In Ayurvedic practices, turmeric mixed with warm milk (often called "golden milk") is a common home remedy for coughs and sore throats. The key bioactive compound in turmeric, curcumin, is thought to help reduce irritation in the throat and may assist in managing symptoms associated with cough.

However, scientific evidence supporting turmeric’s efficacy specifically for treating cough is limited. While some in vitro and animal studies suggest that curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, direct clinical studies on turmeric or curcumin for cough in humans are lacking. A few small studies have explored turmeric’s benefits in respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis, but these are not directly focused on cough.

Overall, while tradition strongly supports the use of turmeric for cough, robust scientific validation is lacking. For general cough, turmeric remains a popular and generally safe home remedy, but its efficacy is primarily supported by longstanding traditional use rather than high-quality clinical evidence.

More about turmeric
More about Cough (general)

Other ingredients used for Cough (general)

allspice
aloe 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
English Horsemint
Echinacea
Elder
European Field Elm
Ephedrine
Embelia
Fig
Garlic
Galangal
Himalayan Salt
Ivy
Lily
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Sumac
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by turmeric

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Adenitis
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Blood in Stool
Body Odor
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Bursitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Carbuncles
Cartilage Damage
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chest Pain
Chicken Pox
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cysts
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diphtheria
Dislocation
Diverticulitis
Duodenal Ulcers
Dyspepsia
Edema
Endometriosis
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gangrene
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Glaucoma
Goiter
Gonorrhea
Gout
Halitosis
Hangover
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hernias
Herpes
Impetigo
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Jaundice (adults)
Jaundice (infants)
Jock Itch
Kidney Infection
Knees (weak)
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Lice
Ligaments (torn or injured)
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Lyme Disease
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Lymphoma
Macular Degeneration
Malaria
Mastitis
Measles
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Mumps
Muscular Dystrophy
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Oral Surgery
Ovarian Pain
Overacidity
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Parasites (general)
Pets (supplements for)
Phlebitis
Pleurisy
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Psoriasis
Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Scabies
Scars / Scar Tissue
Sciatica
Scratches and Abrasions
Senility
Skin (infections)
Slivers
Snake Bite
Sprains
Staph Infections
Stiff Neck
Stye
Tendonitis