Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Chocolate for Cough Relief

Cough is a common respiratory condition that affects individuals of all age groups and often leads to discomfort, irritation, and disturbed daily activities. Conventional cough medications, although effective, are frequently associated with side effects such as drowsiness and poor patient compliance, particularly among children. The present study aims to develop a novel, palatable, and patient-friendly dosage form in the form of herbal chocolate for cough relief. The formulation incorporates medicinal plant extracts such as Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Zingiber officinale (Ginger), Glycyrrhiza glabra (Mulethi), and Curcuma longa (Turmeric), which are well known for their antitussive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and soothing properties. The herbal extracts were prepared using suitable extraction methods and incorporated into a chocolate base containing cocoa butter, cocoa powder, milk powder, and sugar. Different formulations (F1, F2, F3) were prepared by varying the concentration of herbal extracts to optimize the therapeutic efficacy and organoleptic properties. The prepared herbal chocolates were evaluated for various parameters including physical appearance, weight variation, hardness, melting point, pH, content uniformity, and in-vitro drug release. The results indicated that the formulated herbal chocolates possessed acceptable physicochemical properties, uniform drug content, and satisfactory stability. The chocolate base effectively masked the bitter taste of herbal ingredients, thereby improving patient acceptability. The study concludes that herbal chocolate is a promising and innovative drug delivery system that combines the therapeutic benefits of herbal medicine with improved palatability and compliance, especially in paediatric patients. This formulation has the potential to serve as an effective alternative to conventional cough preparations.