Evidence supporting the use of: Scots Pine
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) has a long history of traditional use in treating respiratory conditions, including coughs, particularly spastic (or spasmodic) coughs. The needles, shoots, and essential oil of Scots Pine have been used in folk medicine across Europe for their expectorant and mild antiseptic properties. Inhalation of vapors from pine preparations and oral use of pine needle infusions have been customary remedies for soothing irritated airways and reducing cough frequency. Pharmacopoeias such as the German Commission E recognize pine needle preparations for supportive treatment in catarrhal diseases of the respiratory tract.
However, scientific validation of Scots Pine's effectiveness for spastic cough is limited. Some in vitro and animal studies have shown that compounds in pine (notably essential oils containing α-pinene and limonene) possess mild anti-inflammatory, mucolytic, and antimicrobial actions, which could theoretically ease cough symptoms. Yet, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and most evidence remains anecdotal or based on traditional use. Therefore, while the traditional use is well-documented, the scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for spastic cough is modest, justifying a rating of 2 out of 5 for evidence strength.
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
Fernbush
Flavoglycosides
Galangal
Ivy
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Scots Pine
BronchitisBruises (healing)
Colds (antiviral)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Inflammation
Pain (general remedies for)