Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Phenolic acids, a class of plant-derived compounds including caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and gallic acid, have a long history of use in traditional herbal remedies for respiratory conditions such as bronchitis. Many medicinal plants rich in phenolic acids—such as thyme, sage, and licorice—have been used in folk medicine to alleviate symptoms of bronchitis, including cough and inflammation. The rationale for their use is largely based on their known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, which are thought to help soothe irritated airways and combat infections.

While laboratory and animal studies suggest that phenolic acids can inhibit inflammatory mediators and possess some antimicrobial activity, direct clinical evidence for their effectiveness in treating bronchitis in humans is limited. Most of the support for their use stems from traditional medicine practices and historical herbal texts rather than robust modern scientific trials. As a result, the evidence supporting phenolic acids for bronchitis is primarily traditional, with a low-to-moderate evidence rating reflecting the gap between traditional use and modern clinical validation.

In summary, phenolic acids are used to support bronchitis mainly due to their presence in traditional herbal remedies rather than strong scientific validation. More high-quality human studies are needed to confirm their efficacy and safety for this specific condition.

More about phenolic acids
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Other ingredients used for Bronchitis

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Products containing phenolic acids

Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive 50+ -EZ Swallow