Evidence supporting the use of: Terpene
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds produced by various plants, particularly conifers and some herbs. Traditionally, certain terpenes have been used in herbal medicine to treat respiratory complaints, including coughs—especially spastic or dry coughs. For example, pinene (found in pine resin), menthol (a monoterpene from mint), and eucalyptol (from eucalyptus) have been used in folk medicine for their expectorant, antitussive, and soothing properties. These uses are primarily based on observational evidence and longstanding traditional practices rather than robust clinical trials.

Some early pharmacological studies suggest that specific terpenes may have mild bronchodilatory, anti-inflammatory, or antitussive effects. For example, eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) has shown some benefit in reducing airway inflammation and mucus production in preclinical studies, and a few clinical trials have evaluated its role as an adjunct in chronic respiratory diseases. However, direct evidence supporting the use of terpenes as a class for spastic cough is limited and not well established by modern clinical research. Therefore, while traditional use exists and there is some plausibility based on their pharmacological activities, the overall evidence remains modest.

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Products containing Terpene

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