Evidence supporting the use of: Allicin
For the health condition: Congestion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Allicin, a sulfur-containing compound found in garlic (Allium sativum), has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, particularly in cultures such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, to address respiratory complaints including congestion. The rationale is largely based on garlic’s reputed expectorant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Traditional remedies often involve raw garlic or garlic extracts to help relieve chest congestion, cough, and symptoms of colds. Scientifically, allicin does have antimicrobial activity in vitro and some mild anti-inflammatory effects, but there is limited clinical research directly linking allicin or garlic supplementation to significant relief of nasal or chest congestion in humans. Most available studies explore garlic’s impact on the common cold broadly, rather than congestion specifically, and results are mixed or of low methodological quality. Overall, the use of allicin for congestion is supported mainly by traditional usage, with only weak scientific evidence for its direct effectiveness in this context.
Other ingredients used for Congestion
AconiteAgastache
Akebia
Alcohol
Allicin
Allspice
alpha-terpineol
anise
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
atractylodes
atractylone
balsam
Barleria
basil
bayleaf
bee products
berry
beta-pinene
betel
birch
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black currant
black pepper
black salt
blackboard tree
Bombax
borneol
buckthorn
Buddha\'s hand
cajuput
Camellia sinensis
cardamom
cayenne pepper
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
cineole
Citrus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coltsfoot
cowherb
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
Ephedra
ephedrine
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
European Elder
ferula assafoetida
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
heal-all
honey
Horsemint
horseradish
hyssop
Isatis
Ivy
joe-pye
lemongrass
licorice root
Ligusticum
long pepper
malabar nut
mallow
Meadow sage
Menthol oil
Monoterpenes
Mugwort
Nardostachys
Orris
Osha
Piper retrofractum
Platycodon
pomegranate
Pyrrosia
quercetin
ravinsara
rosemary
Sambucus nigra
Sassafras
Servicetree
Sesquiterpenes
Sichuan pepper
spearmint leaf
squawvine
sweet flag
Szechuan lovage
Tayuya
thyme
Thymus
Trichosanthes
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Vervain
vitamin C
Wasabi
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by Allicin
AbscessesAcne
Angina
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Athlete's Foot
Bladder Infection
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Boils
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Congestive Heart Failure
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dysentery
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Gonorrhea
Headache (sinus)
Heart (weakness)
Hemorrhoids
Herpes
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Influenza
