Synopsis

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

Brassica species, including common vegetables like mustard, cabbage, and turnip, have a history of use in traditional medicine for respiratory complaints, including coughs. In particular, Brassica nigra (black mustard) seeds have been used in poultices, plasters, or as ingredients in syrups to help alleviate cough symptoms, especially those described as "spastic" or associated with bronchial irritation. The use is largely documented in European folk medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, where mustard seed preparations are thought to act as counterirritants or mild expectorants, potentially promoting mucus clearance or distracting from the cough reflex. The mechanism is not well understood and is not strongly supported by clinical trials. Some phytochemicals present in Brassica species, such as glucosinolates and their breakdown products (e.g., allyl isothiocyanate), may have mild irritant or stimulant effects on mucosal membranes, which could theoretically play a role in cough suppression or expectoration. However, scientific validation for the effectiveness of Brassica preparations for spastic cough is limited, with only low-quality or anecdotal evidence available. Thus, while there is a traditional basis for use, the scientific evidence supporting Brassica for this purpose is weak.

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