Evidence supporting the use of: Atractylone
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Atractylone is a sesquiterpene compound found in the rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala, a medicinal herb widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Within TCM, the dried rhizome (known as Bai Zhu) is used in various herbal prescriptions aimed at strengthening the spleen, drying dampness, and sometimes alleviating coughs, particularly those characterized as "spastic" or resulting from phlegm-dampness accumulation. The use of Atractylone specifically for cough is primarily based on traditional practice rather than modern pharmacological evidence. Historical TCM texts and clinical formulas have included Atractylodes to harmonize the middle jiao and support lung function, which may indirectly help in managing coughs, especially those associated with digestive weakness and phlegm production. However, direct scientific studies validating atractylone’s antitussive (cough-suppressing) effects are limited or lacking. Most of the available research on atractylone focuses on its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gastrointestinal effects, rather than respiratory or antitussive properties. Therefore, while it has a traditional basis for use in cough (spastic), the evidence remains largely historical and not substantiated by rigorous modern clinical trials. Further research would be necessary to confirm any direct antitussive effects of atractylone.
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 atractylone
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chills
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Edema
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hepatitis
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Lungs (fluid in)
Menopause
Migraine
Nausea and Vomiting
Nephritis
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Pain (general remedies for)
