Cloves for Cough: Not Recommended
There is no evidence supporting the use of cloves for treating cough, and they are not mentioned in any established clinical guidelines for cough management. Instead, evidence-based treatments should be used depending on whether the cough is acute or chronic.
For Acute Cough (< 3 weeks)
Acute cough is most commonly caused by viral upper respiratory tract infections and is self-limiting. 1, 2
Recommended Symptomatic Treatments:
- Home remedies such as honey and lemon are reasonable first-line approaches 1, 3
- Menthol lozenges may provide temporary relief through cold and menthol-sensitive receptor activation 3
- Dextromethorphan-containing cough remedies may be the most effective over-the-counter option 1
- First-generation antihistamine plus decongestant combinations are effective for common cold-related cough 4
What NOT to Do:
- Antibiotics are not indicated and should not be used for acute viral bronchitis 1, 2
- Most antitussive and expectorant drugs lack adequate evidence for efficacy 2
For Chronic Cough (> 8 weeks)
A systematic diagnostic approach is mandatory, not herbal remedies. 1, 5
Essential Initial Steps:
- Chest radiograph and spirometry are mandatory baseline investigations 1, 5
- Immediately discontinue ACE inhibitors if present—no patient with troublesome cough should continue these medications 1, 5
- Smoking cessation is mandatory and accompanied by significant symptom remission 1, 5
Most Common Causes to Address Sequentially:
- Asthma/eosinophilic airway inflammation: Trial of oral corticosteroids for 2 weeks 1, 5
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease: Intensive acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors and alginates for minimum 3 months 1, 5
- Upper airway cough syndrome/rhinosinusitis: Trial of topical corticosteroid nasal spray 1, 5
When to Refer:
- Referral to a specialist cough clinic is strongly encouraged after failed empiric treatment trials of 4-6 weeks 5, 6
- Chronic cough should only be considered idiopathic following thorough assessment at a specialist center 1, 5
Critical Pitfall to Avoid
Do not use unproven herbal remedies like cloves when evidence-based treatments exist. The guidelines emphasize a systematic diagnostic approach targeting specific underlying causes rather than symptomatic herbal treatments. 1, 5 While menthol lozenges have some evidence for temporary symptomatic relief, cloves specifically have no established role in cough management and could delay appropriate diagnosis and treatment of serious underlying conditions.