Evidence supporting the use of: Alantolactone
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Alantolactone is a sesquiterpene lactone primarily found in the roots of Inula helenium (elecampane). Traditionally, elecampane and its preparations have been used in herbal medicine, especially in Europe and Asia, as a remedy for respiratory conditions such as coughs, including spastic (irritative or spasmodic) cough. Historically, its use is based on anecdotal evidence and longstanding herbal practices rather than modern clinical trials.
The rationale for using alantolactone-containing herbs like elecampane is largely due to their expectorant and mildly anti-inflammatory effects, which are believed to help soothe irritated airways and promote the expulsion of mucus. However, there is a lack of robust scientific studies directly evaluating alantolactone’s efficacy for cough, especially in humans. Most available data pertain to the whole plant extract, and published studies are mostly in vitro or animal models, focusing on anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects rather than specific antitussive (cough-suppressing) activity.
As such, the use of alantolactone for spastic cough is justified primarily by tradition, with limited and indirect scientific support, reflected in a low evidence rating.
Other ingredients used for Cough (spastic)
Abies spectabilisAcacia
Aconite
Adenophora
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Alantolactone
Albizia
Alcohol
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
ambergris
Anamarrhena
Andrographis
andrographolide
anise
Aniseed myrtle
apple
Aralia
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
balloon flower
bayleaf
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
Bergenia
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
boneset
borage
Buddha\'s hand
cactus
calamus
capsaicin
capsicum
cat's claw
Chekiang Fritillary
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
Chondrus
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
clove
Cnidium
coltsfoot
costus
cowage seed
cowslip
cubeb
Cyanthillium cinereum
Dichrostachys glomerata
diterpenes
dodder
dragonhead
Echinacea
elderberry
elecampane
ephedrine
eucalyptus
fernbush
flavoglycosides
fritillaria
fritillary
Galangal
Gallesia
garlic bulb
ginger
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
grape
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Grindelia
Guaco
Guava
gum
heartwood
Hedychium spicatum
honey
honey loquat syrup
horehound
hyssop
Ilex
Indian bael
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
Ivy
Japanese kadsura
Jatoba
Javanese Long Pepper
jujube
juniper berries
Khella
Lactucarium
Large-leaved linden
lemon
licorice root
Ligusticum
linden
Lindera
lobelia
loquat
Loranthus
lovage
lungwort
mace
madder
Maidenhair Fern
malabar nut
Marsh Tea
Meadow sage
Melia
Mentha haplocalyx
Mucilage
Mullein
Nettle
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
Nymphaea nouchali
onion
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
orange
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
Osmanthus
Paris polyphylla
pear
Pelargonium
Pimpinella
Pinellia ternata
Piper chaba
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
plum fruit
Polygala
Polypodium
pomegranate
poppy
prepared aconite tuber
prickly ash
punarnava
Pyrrosia
ravinsara
Rhododendron
Sabadilla
sarsaparilla
Sete sangrias
Shogaol
soursop
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
Stemona
sweet flag
Tea
Terpenoids
Theobromine
thyme
Thymoquinone
turmeric
Varuna
Vasicine
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
Vladimiria souliei
Waterhyssop
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Zedoary
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Alantolactone
Antibiotics (alternatives to)Arthritis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Digestion (poor)
Fungal Infections
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Parasites (general)
Parasites (nematodes, worms)
Skin (infections)
Staph Infections
Wounds and Sores
