Fact Check: Can Turmeric cure cough in 5 minutes?

A YouTube video on the social media site claims consuming Turmeric can cure cough in just 5 minutes.

Claim: A video on the social media site YouTube claims that turmeric can immediately relieve severe cough and cold within 5 minutes. The video recommended roasting half a teaspoon of turmeric in a pan with water and then consuming the mixture. Additionally, it suggests inhaling the vapour can help cure a runny or blocked nose. The link to the video is here.

Fact check:

The claim is misleading. 

What is cough?

The American Lungs Association states, “A cough is a spontaneous reflex. When things such as mucus, germs or dust irritate your throat and airways, your body automatically responds by coughing. Like other reflexes such as sneezing or blinking, coughing helps protect your body.”(1)

Coughs can stem from various conditions. Upper respiratory infections like the common cold, influenza, and viral laryngitis are common causes, usually presenting with symptoms such as fever and runny nose. Allergic reactions, such as hay fever, typically cause dry coughs and sneezing. Exposure to irritants can inflame the airways, leading to coughing. More serious issues include lower respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia, which produce a deep, persistent cough. Life-threatening conditions such as pulmonary embolism and lung collapse cause sudden breathlessness and dry cough. There are many more etiologies of cough

Speaking to the Medical Dialogues team, Dr Mrigakshi Aggarwal, Pulmonologist at Sanjeevan Hospital, Delhi, explained, “ Coughs vary in type and can provide clues about underlying health issues. A productive cough, which expels phlegm or mucus, might indicate conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, or tuberculosis, especially if the mucus is yellowish-green or contains blood. Conversely, a dry or nonproductive cough does not produce mucus. An acute cough, lasting three weeks or less, typically resolves on its own and may not require medical attention unless accompanied by symptoms like fever, headache, drowsiness, or shortness of breath.  On the other hand, chronic cough persists for an extended period, specifically eight weeks or longer in adults and four weeks or longer in children and requires medical intervention. Coughs producing distinctive sounds such as whooping, wheezing, or barking should also prompt a doctor's visit, as they can indicate more serious health issues.”

Health benefits of turmeric:

Curcuma, a bioactive compound found in turmeric, is associated with anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. Moreover, turmeric may have benefits in reducing the risk of heart disease, aid in cancer prevention and treatment, (2)

Can Turmeric cure cough in just 5 minutes?

Although some studies show the effectiveness of turmeric in coughs, no definitive scientific evidence has been found that it can cure coughs in just 5 minutes. Moreover, coughs caused by serious illnesses like tuberculosis and bronchitis cannot be cured by turmeric.

Sultana et al. mention in their study that the herb turmeric has a therapeutic effect on coughs, particularly dry coughs. (3)

Another study by Krup et al. reported that the Turmeric plant has been used in traditional medicine as a remedy for various diseases, including cough, diabetes and hepatic disorders (4)

A study by Babaei F highlights Curcumin and its potential anti-inflammatory effects and ability to inhibit mechanisms that exacerbate cough and airway obstruction, particularly those mediated by bradykinin in respiratory diseases. (5)

Some studies showed that turmeric may be effective in treating cough, but no evidence supports the claim that turmeric can cure cough in just 5 minutes. Further, in various types of chronic coughs and coughs arising from serious illnesses like lung cancer, tuberculosis, etc., turmeric will not only be ineffective, but reliance on such treatment may keep one away from actual treatments.

Responding to the claim, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli clarified, “ While turmeric can be a helpful supplement to alleviate symptoms and support overall respiratory health, it should not be considered a standalone cure for coughs. Effective treatment for a persistent cough depends on addressing the underlying cause, ranging from viral infections to chronic conditions like asthma, tuberculosis or even allergies. It's important to seek medical advice for persistent or severe coughs to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. Turmeric can be used as a supportive measure to help manage some symptoms, but expecting it to cure a cough in 5 minutes is unrealistic and unsupported by medical research.”

Medical Dialogues Final Take:

 While turmeric has many health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, no scientific evidence supports that it can completely cure a cough, especially within a short timeframe. Turmeric will also be ineffective in coughing in conditions like pneumonia and tuberculosis. Hence, the claim that turmeric can cure a cough in just 5 minutes is Misleading.

References:

1. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/warning-signs-of-lung-disease/cough/learn-about-cough.

2. Sharifi-Rad J, Rayess YE, Rizk AA, Sadaka C, Zgheib R, Zam W, Sestito S, Rapposelli S, Neffe-Skocińska K, Zielińska D, Salehi B, Setzer WN, Dosoky NS, Taheri Y, El Beyrouthy M, Martorell M, Ostrander EA, Suleria HAR, Cho WC, Maroyi A, Martins N. Turmeric and Its Major Compound Curcumin on Health: Bioactive Effects and Safety Profiles for Food, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Medicinal Applications. Front Pharmacol. 2020 Sep 15;11:01021. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01021. PMID: 33041781; PMCID: PMC7522354.

3. Sultana, S., Khan, A., Safhi, M. M., & Alhazmi, H. A. (2016). Cough suppressant herbal drugs: A review. Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Invent, 5(5), 15-28.

4. Krup, V., Prakash, L. H., & Harini, A. (2013). Pharmacological activities of turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn): a review. J Homeop Ayurv Med, 2(133), 2167-1206.

5. Babaei F, Nassiri-Asl M, Hosseinzadeh H. Curcumin (a constituent of turmeric): New treatment option against COVID-19. Food Sci Nutr. 2020 Sep 6;8(10):5215-5227. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.1858. PMID: 33133525; PMCID: PMC7590269.