Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha-pinene
For the health condition: Cough (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Alpha-pinene is a monoterpene commonly found in the essential oils of pine trees and other conifers. Its use for cough and respiratory complaints is primarily rooted in traditional and folk medicine. For centuries, pine needle teas and inhalations of pine essential oil vapors have been used in various cultures to alleviate symptoms of cough, bronchitis, and congestion. This traditional use is supported by anecdotal reports and historical herbal medicine texts, suggesting that alpha-pinene-containing preparations may have expectorant and mild anti-inflammatory effects on the respiratory tract.
Modern scientific studies investigating alpha-pinene specifically for cough are limited. Some in vitro and animal studies indicate that alpha-pinene possesses anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory, and antimicrobial properties, which could theoretically benefit respiratory conditions. However, direct clinical evidence in humans for its effectiveness in treating general cough is lacking. Most of the support for its use is therefore based on traditional herbal practices rather than robust clinical trials.
In summary, the use of alpha-pinene for cough relies on a long-standing tradition rather than strong scientific validation. While its pharmacological properties are promising and may justify further research, current evidence supporting its effectiveness in treating cough in humans is weak and primarily historical.
Other ingredients used for Cough (general)
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
carrot
cassia bark
cat's claw
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
fennel
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
lovage
marshmallow
nettle
ophiopogon root
orange
oregano
parsley
pear
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
plum fruit
polygala root
pomegranate
pumpkin
raspberry
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
lobelia
capsicum
Indian bael
neem tree
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
fumaria parviflora
prickly ash
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
root tuber
silk tree
juniper berries
amber
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
eucalyptus
menthol oil
peach
abies spectabilis
horehound
soursop
Alcohol
Aralia
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Agave
Allicin
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
Asam gelugor
Arrowroot
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Allyl Sulfide
Aspen
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Aniseed myrtle
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Bryonia
Blepharis
Bayleaf
Blackbrush
Big Quaking Grass
Bougainvillea
Bael
Butternut
Bindweed
berry
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Borage
banana
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Coconut
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Chenopodium
Cistus
Common madia
Cubeb
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Chekiang Fritillary
cola nut
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Culvers Root
Currant
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Desmodium
Dichrostachys glomerata
Empresstree
English Horsemint
Echinacea
Elder
European Field Elm
Ephedrine
Embelia
Fig
Fruit
Fritillary
Fernbush
Flavoglycosides
Garlic
Galangal
Himalayan Salt
Ivy
Lily
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Sumac
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by alpha-pinene
AcneAnxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Bronchitis
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Dermatitis
Digestion (poor)
Fungal Infections
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Memory and Brain Function
Pain (general remedies for)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Sinus Infection
Skin (infections)
Sore Throat
Stress
Wounds and Sores