Evidence supporting the use of: Allicin
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Allicin, a compound derived from garlic (Allium sativum), has historically been used in various traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, for its purported antimicrobial and expectorant properties. These qualities have led to the use of garlic preparations—often containing allicin—for respiratory conditions such as coughs, including spastic or irritating coughs. The rationale in traditional contexts is that allicin’s potential to thin mucus and combat respiratory pathogens may help alleviate symptoms and promote recovery. However, despite widespread traditional use, scientific investigations directly examining allicin or garlic extracts for the specific indication of "spastic cough" are limited. Some laboratory studies suggest that allicin exhibits broad antimicrobial activity, which might theoretically reduce infection-related coughs. Additionally, a few small clinical trials and observational studies have explored the effect of garlic on common cold symptoms, sometimes reporting reduced severity or duration, but not specifically addressing spastic cough. In summary, the use of allicin for spastic cough is grounded more in traditional herbal practice than in robust scientific validation. Current clinical evidence is insufficient to conclusively support its efficacy for this specific condition, and most recommendations are extrapolated from its general effects on respiratory health.
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 Allicin
AbscessesAcne
Angina
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Athlete's Foot
Bladder Infection
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Boils
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Congestive Heart Failure
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dysentery
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Gonorrhea
Headache (sinus)
Heart (weakness)
Hemorrhoids
Herpes
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Influenza
