Evidence supporting the use of: Red Sage
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Red Sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza), also known as Danshen, is a herb widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It has a long history of use for a variety of conditions, primarily related to cardiovascular and inflammatory disorders. In TCM, Red Sage is sometimes included in formulas aimed at relieving coughs, particularly those considered to be "spastic" or associated with internal heat and stagnation. The herb is believed to help "move blood," reduce inflammation, and calm irritation, which are traditional rationales for its inclusion in cough remedies. However, the specific use of Red Sage for spastic cough is not a major application in either traditional or modern herbal practice, and is usually secondary to its cardiovascular indications.
From a scientific perspective, there is very limited research directly evaluating Red Sage for cough, spasmodic or otherwise. Most studies focus on its effects on cardiovascular health, oxidative stress, and other unrelated conditions. While some of its constituents (such as tanshinones) have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic activity in vitro and in animal studies, clinical evidence supporting its efficacy in treating spastic cough is lacking. Therefore, the use of Red Sage for spastic cough is primarily justified by traditional usage, with weak supporting evidence.
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
Galangal
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Red Sage
Alzheimer's DiseaseAnemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arthritis
Asthma
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Convalescence
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Gonorrhea
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hypertension
Inflammation
Influenza
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause