Ciprandi Giorgio, Tosca Maria Angela
Allergy Clinic, Casa di Cura Villa Montallegro, Genoa.
Allergy Center, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa.
Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2021 Aug 10;92(1). doi: 10.4081/monaldi.2021.1821.
The post-viral acute cough (PAC) is a widespread symptom, mainly in childhood and adolescence, and is usually associated with an acute upper respiratory infection, namely the common cold. The use of cough relievers is, therefore, impressive, as documented by the market data. There are many medical devices and dietary supplements for treating PAC, which contain non-pharmacological components. Ancient people used traditional herbs to treat PAC. Thus, a well-established tradition considers natural remedies as an effective and safe way to relieve PAC. The herbal agents include polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, glucosides, and alkaloids. Also, the European Medicine Agency has recognized the value of plant extracts and other natural substances to treat PAC. Nevertheless, a few studies investigated the role of non-pharmacologic remedies for PAC. There is some evidence for honey, glycerol, Althea officinalis, Drosera rotundifolia, Grindelia, Hedera helix, Pelargonium sidoides, Sambucus nigra, Thymus vulgaris, hyaluronic acid, and saline solutions. However, further rigorous studies should confirm natural products' efficacy and safety to relieve PAC.
病毒感染后急性咳嗽（PAC）是一种常见症状，主要发生在儿童和青少年时期，通常与急性上呼吸道感染（即普通感冒）有关。因此，从市场数据来看，止咳药的使用量令人印象深刻。有许多用于治疗PAC的医疗器械和膳食补充剂，其中含有非药物成分。古人使用传统草药治疗PAC。因此，一个由来已久的传统认为天然疗法是缓解PAC的有效且安全的方法。草药成分包括多酚、黄酮类化合物、皂苷、糖苷和生物碱。此外，欧洲药品管理局已经认可了植物提取物和其他天然物质治疗PAC的价值。然而，很少有研究调查非药物疗法对PAC的作用。有一些证据表明蜂蜜、甘油、药蜀葵、圆叶茅膏菜、胶草、常春藤、南非天竺葵、黑接骨木、百里香、透明质酸和盐溶液有作用。然而，需要进一步的严格研究来证实天然产品缓解PAC的有效性和安全性。
