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

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Synopsis

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

Monoterpenes, a class of terpenes commonly found in essential oils such as eucalyptus (cineole), peppermint (menthol), and pine (alpha-pinene), have a long history of use in the management of respiratory congestion. Their use is supported by both traditional practices and scientific research, but here the evidence is primarily scientific. Several studies have shown that specific monoterpenes possess mucolytic (mucus-thinning), bronchodilatory, and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help alleviate symptoms of sinus and nasal congestion.

For example, 1,8-cineole (the primary component in eucalyptus oil) has been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials to improve symptoms in patients with sinusitis and bronchitis, likely due to its mucolytic action and anti-inflammatory effects. Menthol, another well-known monoterpene, is commonly used in topical decongestants and inhalants; while its cooling sensation gives a subjective feeling of improved airflow, some studies indicate it does not physically decongest the nasal passages but may improve the perception of easier breathing.

Overall, the evidence supporting the use of monoterpenes for congestion is moderate (rated 3/5) — stronger for certain compounds like cineole, and less so for others. The mechanism is thought to involve reduced mucus viscosity and anti-inflammatory actions, but not all monoterpenes have been equally studied, and more high-quality clinical trials are needed.

More about Monoterpenes
More about Congestion (sinus)

Other ingredients used for Congestion (sinus)

Aconite
Adrenergic 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

Products containing Monoterpenes

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