Evidence supporting the use of: Borneol
For the health condition: Chest Pain
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Borneol is a bicyclic monoterpene used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other East Asian medical systems. Its use for chest pain, especially angina or discomfort thought to be related to "Qi stagnation" or "blockage," is primarily based on historical and traditional practices rather than robust modern scientific validation. In TCM, borneol (often from Blumea balsamifera or Dryobalanops aromatica) is considered to have properties that "open the orifices," promote circulation, and alleviate pain by facilitating the movement of Qi and blood. It is commonly included in herbal preparations aimed at treating chest pain, stroke, or cardiovascular symptoms, sometimes in combination with other herbs and ingredients such as musk or camphor. While there are some preclinical studies suggesting borneol may have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective effects, clinical evidence supporting its specific use for chest pain in humans is minimal. Most of the support comes from centuries of traditional usage and anecdotal clinical reports rather than controlled trials or rigorous pharmacological studies. As a result, while borneol's use for chest pain is well-established in traditional medicine, the scientific evidence base remains weak, leading to a modest evidence rating.
Other ingredients used for Chest Pain
Allspicebasil
betel
clove
turmeric
fish oil
garlic bulb
ginger
hawthorn
magnesium
pear
plantain
pomegranate
rhizome
rosemary
scrophularia root
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
xanthium (cockleburs)
Mugwort
alpinia galangal
inula racemosa
pistacia integerrima gall
commiphora
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
Szechuan lovage
siler root
Trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
Menthol oil
paw paw
herbal blend (proprietary)
ash
avens
Ardisia
anamu
Aconite
Ajuga
Adrenergic amines
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Bidens pilosa
balsam
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
Butea monosperma
black galingale
Barleria
bitter grass
Bombax
borassus palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bassia scoparia
borneol
Clerodendrum trichotomum
capillary artemisia
citron
cajuput
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Dianthus
Eupolyphaga sinensis
essential oil blend
Euphorbia
European five-finger grass
Ficus simplicissima
Gnaphalium
giant blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Higenamine
honey
heal-all
Helicteres isora
Horsemint
Huang hua
long pepper
Indian fagonia
joe-pye
Lebbek
ligustilides
luffa
lodhtree
Ligustrazin
labrador tea
little ironweed
mallow
marigold
Nardostachys
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Osha
Onosma bracteatum
Oxystelma
prepared aconite tuber
Pepper
Peucedanum
Portulaca
Patrinia
poppy
Petiveria
Quisqualis
reed herb
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sagebrush
Stereospermum
Terpenoids
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tulbaghia
Violet
Wulinshen
Yerba buena
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by borneol
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Angina
Anxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Chills
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cuts
Dandruff
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Edema
Emotional Sensitivity
Energy (lack of)
Eye Infections
Eyes (red or itching)
Fatigue
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)