← All supplements
Limited evidenceImmunity

Sitopaladi Churna

A classical Ayurvedic powder of rock sugar, bamboo silica, long pepper, cardamom and cinnamon for cough and congestion. It has essentially no clinical trial evidence in PubMed-indexed literature.

Where to buy

Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

What the science says

  • Cough and congestion Limited evidence

    No randomised controlled trial of Sitopaladi churna for cough or respiratory symptoms is indexed in PubMed. Its use rests entirely on classical Ayurvedic texts and clinical tradition.

  • Anti-allergic mechanism Limited evidence

    A laboratory study reported mast cell stabilising activity for a Sitopaladi churna extract, offering a possible mechanism for anti-allergic effects. This is preclinical work in isolated cells and animals, not evidence of benefit in people.

  • Product consistency Limited evidence

    Analytical work using HPLC and multivariate analysis found measurable variation between commercial batches of Sitopaladi churna, meaning two products with the same name may differ substantially in composition.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTraditional dose is 1-3 g of powder one to three times daily, usually mixed with honey or ghee. No dose has been established in a controlled trial.
SafetyThe formula is roughly two-thirds sugar, which matters for people with diabetes. Long pepper (piperine) inhibits drug-metabolising enzymes and can raise blood levels of a range of medications; do not combine casually with prescription drugs. Ayurvedic products sold outside regulated markets have repeatedly been found to contain lead, mercury or arsenic, so choose brands with third-party heavy-metal testing. Not for infants.

How to take it

TimingOne to three times daily during a cough or cold; short courses.
With food?Mixed with honey or ghee, which is the traditional carrier and how the powder is meant to be taken.
Worth knowingChoose a brand publishing third-party heavy-metal testing, and never give it to infants — honey plus an unregulated Ayurvedic powder is a bad combination under one year.

Interactions

With medications

  • most prescription medication

    Long pepper supplies piperine, which inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein and can raise blood levels of drugs including phenytoin and propranolol. review the combination with a pharmacist before starting

  • diabetes medication

    The formula is roughly two-thirds sugar, which is a real carbohydrate load at 9 g/day. account for the sugar or choose another product

With other supplements

  • curcumin and other poorly absorbed supplements

    Piperine raises their absorption, effectively increasing the dose you are taking. lower the other supplement's dose if you add this

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does sitopaladi churna work for cough?

Sitopaladi churna has limited evidence: no randomised controlled trial for cough or respiratory symptoms is indexed in PubMed, and its use rests on classical Ayurvedic texts. A laboratory study found mast cell stabilising activity, but that is not evidence of benefit in people.

How much sitopaladi churna should I take?

The traditional dose of sitopaladi churna is 1–3 g of powder one to three times daily, mixed with honey or ghee, in short courses during a cough or cold. No dose has been established in a controlled trial.

Is sitopaladi safe for diabetics?

Sitopaladi churna is roughly two-thirds sugar, a real carbohydrate load at 9 g/day, so account for it or choose another product if you have diabetes. Never give sitopaladi to infants.

Does sitopaladi interact with medications?

The long pepper in sitopaladi churna supplies piperine, which inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein and can raise blood levels of drugs such as phenytoin and propranolol. Review it with a pharmacist, and choose a brand with third-party heavy-metal testing, since lead, mercury or arsenic have been found in unregulated Ayurvedic products.

Scientific references

Related in Immunity

Herbal medicines: what the evidence says (335)