Evidence supporting the use of: Sugarcane
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Ayurveda and other folk remedies, for the management of cough, including spastic or dry coughs. In Ayurvedic texts, sugarcane juice and its derivatives are said to have demulcent properties—meaning they can soothe irritated mucous membranes—thus providing relief from cough and throat irritation. Sugarcane has also been combined with other herbal ingredients in traditional preparations aimed at alleviating symptoms of cough and improving throat comfort.
Despite this traditional basis, there is limited scientific research specifically validating the efficacy of sugarcane juice or its extracts for the treatment of spastic cough. Some laboratory studies highlight the presence of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids in sugarcane, which may exhibit mild anti-inflammatory or soothing effects, but direct clinical studies in humans for cough relief are lacking. As a result, the use of sugarcane for cough is primarily justified by historical and cultural practices rather than robust scientific evidence.
In summary, while sugarcane has a notable place in traditional medicine for cough relief, especially in Asian cultures, scientific validation for its specific effectiveness against spastic cough is minimal. Therefore, its use is best regarded as traditional, with moderate anecdotal support but limited modern clinical backing.
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 Sugarcane
Abdominal PainAnemia
Appetite (deficient)
Bedwetting
Belching
Bleeding (external)
Bronchitis
Burns and Scalds
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Debility
Dehydration
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Hair Care (general)
Hangover
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Indigestion
Infection
Inflammation