Evidence supporting the use of: Cinnamic aldehyde
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Cinnamic aldehyde, the principal component of cinnamon oil, has been traditionally used in various systems of medicine, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, for the treatment of coughs and respiratory ailments, including spastic or irritating coughs. Historical texts and ethnobotanical surveys indicate that cinnamon bark (from which cinnamic aldehyde is derived) has been a popular remedy for respiratory symptoms, often administered as teas, tinctures, or syrups. The mechanism purported by traditional use involves its warming properties, ability to improve circulation, and possible expectorant effects, helping to soothe the throat and alleviate coughing fits.
However, while cinnamic aldehyde displays antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and mild bronchodilatory properties in laboratory studies, direct clinical evidence supporting its efficacy for spastic cough in humans is lacking. Most contemporary scientific studies focus on its general antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions rather than specific antitussive (cough-suppressing) effects. As such, the use of cinnamic aldehyde for cough remains primarily rooted in traditional practices, and current scientific validation is minimal. The rating of 2 reflects that, while tradition is well documented, only preliminary pharmacological mechanisms exist, with limited or no direct clinical trial evidence for this indication.
Other ingredients used for Cough (spastic)
aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
lovage
nettle
ophiopogon root
orange
pear
platycodon root
plum fruit
pomegranate
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
lobelia
capsicum
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
prickly ash
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
juniper berries
dodder
sweet flag
eucalyptus
abies spectabilis
horehound
soursop
Alcohol
Aralia
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ambergris
acacia
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Aniseed myrtle
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bayleaf
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cnidium
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Calamus
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Chekiang Fritillary
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Ephedrine
Galangal
Ivy
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Cinnamic aldehyde
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cardiovascular Disease
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)