Evidence supporting the use of: Allicin
For the health condition: Congestion (sinus)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Allicin, a bioactive compound found in garlic (Allium sativum), has been traditionally used in various cultures to help alleviate symptoms of upper respiratory congestion, including sinus congestion. The traditional use is mainly rooted in garlic’s long-standing reputation as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory remedy in folk medicine. For centuries, garlic preparations have been inhaled as steam or consumed orally to help "clear the sinuses" and relieve symptoms of colds and congestion.
From a scientific perspective, some studies have demonstrated allicin’s antimicrobial properties against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which could, in theory, help address sinus infections or congestion caused by pathogens. There is also evidence that allicin can modulate inflammatory pathways, potentially reducing mucosal swelling. However, these effects have largely been demonstrated in vitro (in test tubes) or in animal models, not in robust human clinical trials specifically targeting sinus congestion. Human evidence is limited mainly to general studies on garlic’s effects on respiratory infections and immune support, with mixed results and methodological limitations.
In summary, allicin’s use for sinus congestion is primarily justified by tradition, with a moderate but not strong level of scientific plausibility based on laboratory studies. High-quality clinical trials specifically on sinus congestion are lacking, so evidence supporting its effectiveness in this context remains limited.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (sinus)
AconiteAdrenergic amines
Agastache
Alantolactone
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
Amor seco
andrographolide
anise
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
balloon flower
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
basil
bayleaf
bee hive
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
betel
bicarbonate
bioflavonoids
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
blackboard tree
boneset
borage
borneol
Bougainvillea
Buddha\'s hand
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
cajuput
calamus
Camellia sinensis
capsaicinoids
cardamom
Carthamus
carvone
cayenne pepper
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese raisintree
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
Cistus
Citrus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coltsfoot
Coptis chinensis
coriander
dragonhead
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
English horsemint
Ephedra
ephedrine
eucalyptus
eugenol
European Elder
fang-feng
fennel
ferula assafoetida
forsythia
frankincense
Galangal
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic bulb
ginger
Gnaphalium
green tea
Hedyotis
honey
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
Houttuynia
hyssop
Indian frankincense
inula racemosa
Isatis
Ivy
juniper berries
labrador tea
Laggera pterodonta
Ledebouriella
lemongrass
licorice root
Ligusticum
Ligustrazin
limonene
Litsea
Lomatium
long pepper
lovage
malabar nut
Marjoram
Marsh Tea
Meadow sage
Menthol oil
Mint
Monoterpenes
Mucolase
Mugwort
Mustard
mustard seed
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
onion
oregano
oriental arborvitae
Orris
Osha
Osmanthus
Paris polyphylla
Pepper
Peppermint
perilla
Phellodendron
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
pomegranate
Pyrrosia
quercetin
ravinsara
Rhus coriaria
rosemary
Sabadilla
sage
Sagebrush
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
Sassafras
Scabrous Gentian
sea salt
Sesquiterpenes
shiitake mushroom
Sichuan Lovage
Sichuan pepper
Smartweed
Solanum indicum
Sophora
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
spruce
Sundew
sweet flag
thyme
Thymus
Trichosanthes
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Vervain
Viola
vitamin C
Wasabi
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Yuzu
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Zingerone
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
