Evidence supporting the use of: Marsh Tea
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Marsh Tea (Ledum palustre), also called wild rosemary, has a history of traditional use in folk medicine for respiratory ailments, including spastic cough. In various northern European and Siberian traditions, preparations of marsh tea—such as infusions or decoctions from its leaves—were used to alleviate symptoms of cough, bronchitis, and other respiratory tract irritations. The plant contains essential oils (notably ledol) and flavonoids, which were thought to provide expectorant and antitussive effects. However, scientific studies directly supporting its efficacy in treating cough—especially spastic cough—are sparse. Most references in modern herbal compendia and ethnobotanical sources cite only anecdotal or traditional use, with little or no clinical research or controlled trials confirming its effectiveness or safety for this indication. Furthermore, marsh tea is considered potentially toxic due to the presence of ledol and other volatile oils, and its use is not recommended in modern herbal medicine due to risks of poisoning, especially in children. In summary, while marsh tea has a well-documented traditional use for spastic cough, there is limited scientific validation, and safety concerns outweigh potential benefits.
Other ingredients used for Cough (spastic)
aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
lovage
nettle
ophiopogon root
orange
pear
platycodon root
plum fruit
pomegranate
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
lobelia
capsicum
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
prickly ash
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
juniper berries
dodder
sweet flag
eucalyptus
abies spectabilis
horehound
soursop
Alcohol
Aralia
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ambergris
acacia
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Aniseed myrtle
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bayleaf
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cnidium
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Calamus
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Chekiang Fritillary
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Ephedrine
Galangal
Ivy
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Marsh Tea
Abdominal PainBladder Infection
Burns and Scalds
Colds (general)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Fever
Gastritis
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Injuries
Itching
Laryngitis
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Sore Throat
Urinary Tract Infections
Wounds and Sores