Evidence supporting the use of: Capsicum
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)

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Synopsis

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

Capsicum, commonly known as chili pepper, has been traditionally used in various cultures to help alleviate bronchial congestion. The main active component, capsaicin, is thought to act as an irritant to mucous membranes, which can stimulate the thinning and expectoration of mucus. In folk medicine, preparations containing capsicum have been used as rubefacients (applied topically to the chest) or in teas and syrups for respiratory complaints, including bronchial congestion, coughs, and colds. There are records from Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Native American herbalism that describe the use of capsicum for chest congestion and respiratory support.

From a scientific perspective, the evidence supporting capsicum's effectiveness for bronchial congestion is limited. Some laboratory and animal studies have shown that capsaicin can stimulate sensory nerves, leading to increased secretion from the respiratory tract and possibly aiding in mucus clearance. Additionally, capsaicin is known to have mild anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which could provide symptomatic relief. However, there are few high-quality human clinical trials directly evaluating its use for bronchial congestion. Most clinical research on capsaicin focuses on its topical analgesic effects or its use in non-allergic rhinitis. Therefore, while traditional use is well established, scientific validation is modest and primarily theoretical or based on indirect evidence.

More about capsicum
More about Congestion (bronchial)

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basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
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black currant
black pepper
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ophiopogon root
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platycodon root
pomegranate
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scrophularia root
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spearmint leaf
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hyssop
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ferula assafoetida
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