Evidence supporting the use of: Terpene (unspecified)
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Terpenes are a large and diverse class of naturally occurring organic compounds found in many plants, particularly conifers and citrus. "Terpene (unspecified)" often refers to a general mixture of such compounds, rather than a specific one. The use of various terpenes (such as those found in eucalyptus oil, camphor, and menthol) for the relief of bronchial congestion is primarily rooted in traditional medicine. These substances have been used in vapor rubs, inhalants, and chest balms for centuries to help ease breathing and reduce the sensation of congestion. The mechanism is believed to involve stimulation of the respiratory tract, a sensation of improved airflow due to the cooling effect, and perhaps mild anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial actions.
However, scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of general or unspecified terpenes for treating bronchial congestion is limited. Some specific terpenes, such as menthol or 1,8-cineole (from eucalyptus), have been studied and shown mild benefit in symptom relief, but the overall body of evidence is neither robust nor conclusive. Most available studies are small, use specific purified terpenes, and often combine them with other active ingredients. No high-quality clinical trials support the use of unspecified terpene mixtures for bronchial congestion. Thus, the tradition persists more on anecdotal and historical use rather than rigorous modern validation.
More about Terpene (unspecified)
More about Congestion (bronchial)
Other ingredients used for Congestion (bronchial)
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
waterhyssop
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ethanol
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
yellow root
squawvine
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
lingusticum wallichii
buckthorn
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
siler root
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
soursop
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Black spruce
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Black galingale
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bael
berry
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Bupleurum
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Curcuma
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
Galangal
Ivy
Mustard
Mallow
Sandalwood
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Terpene (unspecified)
AnxietyBoils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Digestion (poor)