Evidence supporting the use of: Cinnamon
For the health condition: Cough (general)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Cinnamon has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, where it is often employed to treat respiratory conditions, including coughs. In these traditions, cinnamon is believed to have warming properties that help expel "cold" from the body, reduce phlegm, and ease symptoms of cough and bronchitis. Preparations may involve cinnamon tea or decoctions, sometimes combined with other herbs like ginger or honey.

From a scientific perspective, cinnamon contains bioactive compounds such as cinnamaldehyde, which have demonstrated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory studies. However, there is limited direct clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of cinnamon specifically for treating cough in humans. Some in vitro studies indicate that cinnamon extracts can inhibit the growth of certain respiratory pathogens, which could theoretically contribute to symptom relief. Nonetheless, high-quality, large-scale clinical trials are lacking.

Overall, the use of cinnamon for cough is primarily justified by tradition, with some preliminary scientific rationale but insufficient robust clinical evidence. Thus, while it remains a popular home remedy, its efficacy for cough should be considered as modest and mainly supported by its historical use rather than strong scientific validation.

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polygala root
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