Why Can Vitamin C Alleviate Allergic Cough?
Jul 30, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, vitamin C can alleviate allergic cough, mainly due to its mechanisms of action, including inhibition of histamine release, antioxidant effects, enhancement of immune function, improvement of airway mucosal function, and promotion of inflammation resolution. Vitamin C can intervene in the pathological process of allergic cough through multiple pathways but should only be used as an adjunctive therapy and not as a substitute for anti-allergy medications.
Generally, vitamin C can alleviate allergic cough, mainly due to its mechanisms of action, including inhibiting histamine release, exerting antioxidant effects, enhancing immune function, improving airway mucosal function, and promoting inflammation resolution. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Inhibition of histamine release
During allergic reactions, mast cells release histamine, which stimulates the respiratory mucosa and triggers coughing. Vitamin C stabilizes mast cell membranes, reducing the release of inflammatory mediators like histamine, thereby lessening allergic irritation in the respiratory tract.
2. Antioxidant effects
Allergic cough is often accompanied by oxidative stress in the airways, leading to excessive free radical production and mucosal damage. As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C scavenges free radicals, reduces oxidative inflammation in the airways, and alleviates cough symptoms.
3. Enhancement of immune function
Vitamin C modulates the activity of immune cells, suppresses excessive immune responses, reduces the accumulation of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils in the respiratory tract, and lowers airway hyperresponsiveness.
4. Improvement of airway mucosal function
Vitamin C participates in collagen synthesis, helping to maintain the integrity of the respiratory mucosa, enhancing mucosal defense capabilities, and reducing irritation from external allergens.
5. Promotion of inflammation resolution
Vitamin C inhibits the synthesis of certain inflammatory mediators, such as leukotrienes, reduces congestion and edema of the airway mucosa, alleviates airway narrowing and spasms, and thus relieves coughing.
Vitamin C can intervene in the pathological process of allergic cough through multiple pathways but should only be used as an adjunctive therapy and not as a substitute for antiallergic medications. Individuals with allergic constitutions may take appropriate supplements under a physician's guidance, while also avoiding allergen exposure, to better control symptoms.
