Evidence supporting the use of: Turmeric
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)

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Synopsis

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

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Unani for the management of cough, including spastic (or dry, spasmodic) cough. Traditional practices often recommend turmeric in various forms—such as in warm milk (“golden milk”) or mixed with honey—to soothe the throat and reduce coughing. The rationale is based on turmeric’s purported anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which are believed to help address underlying throat irritation and infection that may trigger a cough.

Scientifically, curcumin—the primary active compound in turmeric—has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and mild antimicrobial effects in laboratory studies. However, there is limited direct clinical evidence specifically targeting the efficacy of turmeric or curcumin in treating cough, particularly spastic cough, in humans. Most available studies focus on its broader effects in respiratory conditions or its role in modulating inflammation rather than cough alone. As a result, while the use of turmeric for cough is well-established in traditional practices and anecdotal reports, robust scientific validation through clinical trials is lacking.

In summary, turmeric’s use for spastic cough is primarily justified by traditional knowledge rather than strong scientific evidence. The evidence rating is moderate (2/5) due to the support from historical use and plausible biological mechanisms, but with insufficient direct clinical data.

More about turmeric
More about Cough (spastic)

Other ingredients used for Cough (spastic)

Abies spectabilis
Acacia
Aconite
Adenophora
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Alantolactone
Albizia
Alcohol
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
ambergris
Anamarrhena
Andrographis
andrographolide
anise
Aniseed myrtle
apple
Aralia
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
balloon flower
bayleaf
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
Bergenia
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
boneset
borage
Buddha\'s hand
cactus
calamus
capsaicin
capsicum
cat's claw
Chekiang Fritillary
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
Chondrus
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
clove
Cnidium
coltsfoot
costus
cowage seed
cowslip
cubeb
Cyanthillium cinereum
Dichrostachys glomerata
diterpenes
dodder
dragonhead
Echinacea
elderberry
elecampane
ephedrine
eucalyptus
fernbush
flavoglycosides
fritillaria
fritillary
Galangal
Gallesia
garlic bulb
ginger
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
grape
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Grindelia
Guaco
Guava
gum
heartwood
Hedychium spicatum
honey
honey loquat syrup
horehound
hyssop
Ilex
Indian bael
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
Ivy
Japanese kadsura
Jatoba
Javanese Long Pepper
jujube
juniper berries
Khella
Lactucarium
Large-leaved linden
lemon
licorice root
Ligusticum
linden
Lindera
lobelia
loquat
Loranthus
lovage
lungwort
mace
madder
Maidenhair Fern
malabar nut
Marsh Tea
Meadow sage
Melia
Mentha haplocalyx
Mucilage
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Nigella seed
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Nymphaea nouchali
onion
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
orange
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
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Paris polyphylla
pear
Pelargonium
Pimpinella
Pinellia ternata
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Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
plum fruit
Polygala
Polypodium
pomegranate
poppy
prepared aconite tuber
prickly ash
punarnava
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ravinsara
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sarsaparilla
Sete sangrias
Shogaol
soursop
spearmint leaf
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Stemona
sweet flag
Tea
Terpenoids
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thyme
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turmeric
Varuna
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Vasicinone
Vladimiria souliei
Waterhyssop
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Zedoary
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone

Other health conditions supported by turmeric

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Adenitis
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Blood in Stool
Body Odor
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Bursitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Carbuncles
Cartilage Damage
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chest Pain
Chicken Pox
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cysts
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diphtheria
Dislocation
Diverticulitis
Duodenal Ulcers
Dyspepsia
Edema
Endometriosis
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Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Infections
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Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
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Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
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Fungal Infections
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
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Giardia
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Headache (general)
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Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
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Itching
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Jaundice (adults)
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Phlebitis
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PMS Type P
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Pneumonia
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Scabies
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Senility
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Stiff Neck
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Tendonitis