Evidence supporting the use of: Cinnamaldehyde
For the health condition: Congestion (lungs)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Cinnamaldehyde, the primary compound in cinnamon bark oil, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been employed for the management of respiratory ailments, including congestion and cough, largely due to its warming, aromatic, and purported expectorant effects. Historical texts describe preparations of cinnamon or cinnamon oil as remedies for "phlegm" and respiratory blockages, often in combination with other aromatic herbs.
However, direct scientific evidence supporting cinnamaldehyde’s efficacy for lung congestion is limited. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest cinnamaldehyde has antimicrobial and mild anti-inflammatory properties, which could theoretically aid in respiratory infections. Its vapors may help loosen mucus, similar to other aromatic compounds, but robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. Therefore, while its use for congestion is justified by tradition, and there are plausible mechanisms, the level of scientific evidence is low, with most support coming from traditional use and limited laboratory studies rather than clinical validation.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (lungs)
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
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
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
Agastache
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
allyl isothiocyanate
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bee hive
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
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Evodia
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
European-Five Finger Grass
Fang-Feng
Flavoglycosides
Galangal
Ivy
Mustard
Mallow
Sandalwood
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Cinnamaldehyde
Antibiotics (alternatives to)Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)