Evidence supporting the use of: Monoterpenes
For the health condition: Congestion (lungs)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Monoterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of two isoprene units and are found in the essential oils of many plants, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, and pine. The use of monoterpenes, particularly compounds like eucalyptol (1,8-cineole), to support or treat lung congestion has some scientific basis. Several studies have shown that monoterpenes possess expectorant, mucolytic, and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help in clearing mucus from the airways and easing breathing in conditions like bronchitis and sinusitis.

For example, 1,8-cineole has been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials to reduce airway inflammation and improve lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Its mechanism involves reducing the viscosity of mucus, making it easier to expel, and modulating inflammatory mediators in the respiratory tract. Other monoterpenes, such as limonene and alpha-pinene, have also shown mild anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory effects in preclinical studies.

However, while the evidence is promising, especially for certain individual monoterpenes, most clinical research involves specific extracts or essential oils rather than isolated monoterpenes, and the quality of evidence varies. Thus, while there is a scientific rationale and some evidence supporting the use of monoterpenes for lung congestion, more high-quality clinical trials are needed for stronger validation. Overall, the evidence can be rated as moderate (3/5).

More about Monoterpenes
More about Congestion (lungs)

Other ingredients used for Congestion (lungs)

allspice
aloe 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
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
European-Five Finger Grass
Galangal
Ivy
Mustard
Mallow
Sandalwood
Vervain

Products containing Monoterpenes

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.