Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha-terpineol
For the health condition: Congestion (sinus)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Alpha-terpineol is a naturally occurring monoterpene alcohol found in various essential oils such as pine oil, cajeput oil, and tea tree oil. Its use for supporting or treating congestion, particularly sinus congestion, is primarily rooted in traditional and folk medicine practices. Inhalation of essential oils containing alpha-terpineol has been used for centuries as a home remedy to ease respiratory discomfort, under the belief that volatile plant components can help to clear nasal passages and reduce congestion.
However, the scientific evidence specifically supporting alpha-terpineol’s efficacy for sinus congestion is very limited. Most of the available information is anecdotal or derived from broader studies on essential oils, where the effects cannot be attributed to alpha-terpineol alone. Some in vitro studies suggest that alpha-terpineol has anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial properties, which could theoretically be beneficial for respiratory conditions, but there is a lack of robust clinical trials or mechanistic studies directly linking alpha-terpineol to relief of sinus congestion in humans. As such, while its use is traditional, the evidence supporting it is weak and largely unsubstantiated by modern scientific research.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (sinus)
AllspiceAloe vera
alpha-pinene
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
betel
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
clove
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
fennel
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
onion
green tea
horseradish
licorice root
lovage
mint
mustard seed
spruce
oregano
Peppermint
perilla
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
sage
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
Wasabi
boneset
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
lemongrass
yerba santa
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
sea salt
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteracea
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bicarbonate
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Bitter Grass
Bougainvillea
Bee hive
Bioflavonoids
black salt
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Coriander
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Carvone
Cistus
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Ephedra
European Elder
English Horsemint
Echinacea
Elder
Ephedrine
Eugenol
Fang-Feng
Frankincense
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Gallesia
Gardenia jasminoides
Galangal
Honey
Hedyotis
Houttuynia
Horsemint
Isatis
Long Pepper
Ivy
Ledebouriella
Litsea
Lomatium
Laggera pterodonta
Limonene
Ligustrazin
Labrador Tea
Ligusticum
Mustard
Marjoram
Marsh Tea
Monoterpenes
Meadow sage
Mucolase
Nardostachys
Nigella Seed
Nutmeg
Osha
Orris
Osmanthus
Phellodendron
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Rhus coriaria
Ravinsara
Sabadilla
Sichuan Lovage
Sophora
Smartweed
Sesquiterpenes
Solanum indicum
Sambucus nigra
Sagebrush
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Sundew
Sassafras
Thymus
Vervain
Vasicine
Viola
Vasicinone
Wulinshen
Winter Savory
Yuzu
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Alpha-terpineol
AcneAntibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Athlete's Foot
Bronchitis
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Dandruff
Dermatitis
Fungal Infections
Gingivitis
Headache (general)
Herpes
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Insect Repellant
Insomnia
Pain (general remedies for)
Sinus Infection
Skin (infections)
Skin Care (general)
Sore Throat
Staph Infections
Toothache
Wounds and Sores