Synopsis

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

Cinnamaldehyde, the primary active compound in cinnamon, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, for treating respiratory ailments including cough. Historical records indicate that cinnamon bark, which contains cinnamaldehyde, was often used in decoctions or teas to help soothe sore throats, reduce phlegm, and alleviate cough. The proposed mechanisms in traditional medicine typically involve its purported warming properties, believed to help “disperse cold” and promote circulation in the respiratory tract.

From a scientific standpoint, however, evidence supporting cinnamaldehyde’s effectiveness specifically for cough is very limited. Some laboratory studies have shown that cinnamaldehyde possesses antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which could theoretically contribute to reducing cough when infections or inflammation are involved. However, there are no robust clinical trials or systematic reviews directly demonstrating that cinnamaldehyde or cinnamon extracts are effective in the treatment of cough in humans. Therefore, while its use is supported by a tradition of herbal practice, scientific validation is currently lacking, and its role in cough management remains primarily anecdotal.

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