Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Cough Syrup

Abstract

Anancienttimepeopleusevariousplant,roots,andleavesfortreatmentvariousdisease.Herbal cough syrup is anAyurveda medicine which is useful in many chronic health problem such as cough,cold,fever,respiratory infectionand disorders among human.As a combination of herbs,itis safe, can bemadeathome, has a low production cost, and can beeasily availablein anyarea. Herbalsyrupincludingnaturalherbs,like tulsi,clove,fennel,turmericand adulation which have various action and effects on reducing acute or chronic cough and cold and act as cough suppressant having expectorant and anti-tussive property . In this research,I conclude about herbal cough syrup that, herbal cough syrup is a safest herbal medicine which is use for treatment of cough and cold.Cough is a common respiratory symptom that can be caused by various factors such as viral infections,allergies,orenvironmentalirritants. Whileover-thecounterCoughsyrupsarewidely available,there is a growing interest in herbal remedies due to their preceived Safety and efficacy.This abstract outlines theformulation and characteristics of aherbal cough syrup aimed at providing relief from Cough symptoms. The herbal cough syrup formulation consist of a blend of botanical extract known for their expectorant, soothing, andAnti-microbial properties. Characteristics of the herbal cough syrup includes a pleasant taste and texture,making it suitable for both adults and children.It is free fromartificialcolors,flavours,andpreservaties,cateringtoconsumersseekingnaturalremedies. The addition of honey not only sereves as a natural sweetner but also provides additionalAnti- microbialpropertiesandhelpssoothethethroat.Furthermore,thesyrupisformulatedtobenon- drowsy , allowing individuals to take it during the day without experiencing fatigue or sedation.

Introduction

1. Introduction to Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine, also known as phytomedicine or herbalism, uses plant-based products (and sometimes animal, fungal, or bacterial products) to treat diseases. It has ancient origins and aims to restore the body's natural balance. Many modern pharmaceuticals are derived from these natural compounds.

2. Cough Overview

Cough (or tussis) is a reflex to clear the throat and airways of irritants or infections. It can result from conditions like asthma, infections, or irritants. It has three reflex phases: inhalation, glottis closure with forced exhalation, and sudden glottis opening with air expulsion.

3. Types of Cough

• By Type:

  • Dry Cough: No mucus, throat irritation, treated with antitussives.

  • Wet Cough: Produces mucus, may include chest tightness or wheezing, treated with expectorants.

• By Duration:

  • Acute: <3 weeks (e.g. cold, bronchitis).

  • Subacute: 3–8 weeks (e.g. pneumonia, GERD).

  • Chronic: >8 weeks (e.g. asthma, tuberculosis).

4. Herbal Cough Syrup

Prepared using concentrated decoctions with honey, sugar, or alcohol. Types include:

• Flavored

• Medicated

• Artificial

Pros:

• Natural, safe, affordable, easily available.

Cons:

• Not suitable for emergencies or unconscious patients, dosage imprecision, risk of contamination or crystallization.

5. Literature Review Highlights

• Clove (Cortes-Rojas): Antimicrobial properties.

• Tulsi (Lopamudra Sethi): Positive clinical outcomes.

• Honey (Samarghandian et al.): Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory.

• Ginger (Nguyen & Kim): Traditional remedy for pain and nausea.

6. Aim and Objectives

Aim: To formulate effective and safe herbal cough syrup.

Objectives:

• Test efficacy, safety, taste, stability.

• Ensure quality control and regulatory compliance.

• Optimize formulation using synergistic herbal combinations.

7. Ideal Properties of Herbal Cough Syrup

• Safe, sweet-tasting, side-effect free.

• Adjusted dosing possible.

• Improves immunity and respiratory health.

• Acts as preservative, reduces inflammation, and relieves symptoms.

8. Benefits

• Natural ingredients like honey, herbs, and roots.

• Soothing, expectorant, antitussive, and immune-boosting effects.

• Fewer side effects than synthetic drugs.

• Holistic health support.

9. Ingredients Used

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale): For cold and sore throat.

• Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): Treats sore throat and cough.

• Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum): Antitussive and anti-inflammatory.

• Honey: Reduces night coughing, improves sleep.

• Fennel: Expectorant and aromatic.

• Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

• Adulsa (Malabar nut): Strong expectorant, used in respiratory issues.

10. Equipment Used

Includes beakers, measuring cylinders, filter paper, round bottom flasks, heating mantles, etc., for preparation and testing of the syrup.

Conclusion

The aim of this project was to formulate and evaluate herbal cough syrup. The present study helpedustounderstandwhatactuallycoughmeans,whataredifferent typesofcough,factors responsible for causing cough.Herbal treatment for cough were studied briefly.As the study shows that the herbal treatment is more beneficial than that of allopathy treatment which uses standard drugs for treatment as herbal drugs have less or no side effects. Herbal treatments are more preferred widely. Herbal drugs are easy to available than that of prescribed drugs.This studyhelpsustounderstandcough andmeasuresto betaken inorderto avoidcough.Thepre- formulationstudiesofallthreeformulationswerewithinspecifications.Thepresentstudywill help us to understand effectiveness of herbal cough syrup compared to chemical based syrups.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Bhagyashree Ghodke, Manoj Shere, Pooja Gaikwad . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.