Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Alcohol has a long history of use in traditional cough remedies, particularly for spastic (irritating, non-productive) coughs. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, alcohol-based cough syrups were popular and widely available, often combined with other sedative or soothing agents. The rationale for its use was primarily based on alcohol’s central nervous system depressant effects, which could theoretically reduce the cough reflex and induce sedation, providing symptomatic relief for persistent coughing spells. Additionally, alcohol was believed to act as a solvent for other medicinal ingredients and as a mild antiseptic. However, there is little scientific evidence to support the efficacy of alcohol specifically for cough suppression. Modern clinical guidelines do not recommend alcohol for cough due to the lack of controlled studies demonstrating benefit, and due to safety concerns, especially in children and those with liver or substance use disorders. Most contemporary cough syrups are now alcohol-free, and the use of alcohol as a cough remedy is largely of historical significance rather than based on scientific validation.

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