Evidence supporting the use of: Borneol
For the health condition: Congestion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Borneol is a bicyclic monoterpene traditionally used in Chinese medicine and other Asian medicinal systems, primarily as an ingredient in formulations for relieving congestion, especially nasal and chest congestion. Historical texts and traditional pharmacopeias describe borneol as having properties that "open the orifices," "clear phlegm," and "promote the movement of qi," which is interpreted as facilitating the clearance of blockages in the respiratory tract. Borneol is often combined with other herbs in classic formulas such as "Niu Huang Jie Du Pian" and "Angong Niuhuang Wan" for treating symptoms like stuffy nose, headaches, and a sensation of fullness in the chest.
Despite its widespread historical use, modern scientific validation for borneol's effectiveness in treating congestion is limited. Some experimental studies suggest that borneol has mild anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties, which could theoretically help reduce congestion, but these studies are preliminary and mostly conducted in vitro or in animal models. There are few, if any, rigorous clinical trials specifically evaluating borneol for congestion in humans. Therefore, its use is primarily justified by traditional practice, with limited scientific support at present.
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 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)
