Cinnamaldehyde, the main constituent of cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) bark oil, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda for treating respiratory ailments, including coughs. Historical texts and ethnobotanical records indicate that cinnamon preparations were used to alleviate symptoms of "spastic" or irritating cough, believed to be due to the warming and soothing properties of the spice. The rationale was often based on its aromatic, expectorant, and antispasmodic qualities as described in traditional pharmacopeias. However, modern scientific validation for cinnamaldehyde as an effective agent against spastic cough is limited. While some in vitro and animal studies demonstrate that cinnamaldehyde has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, which could theoretically benefit respiratory health, direct evidence of efficacy against cough in humans is lacking. A few studies suggest that cinnamon extracts may help reduce airway inflammation or relax smooth muscle tissue, but these findings are preliminary and not specific to cinnamaldehyde as a single compound or to spastic cough as a clinical condition. Therefore, its use for cough is primarily justified by tradition, with moderate historical evidence but insufficient modern clinical proof.