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

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Synopsis

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

Capsicum (commonly known as chili pepper or red pepper) has a long history of traditional use in various cultures for respiratory conditions, including lung congestion. Historically, in folk medicine and herbal traditions, capsicum has been used as a natural remedy to help "clear" the airways and relieve congestion due to its pungent properties and ability to stimulate mucous membranes. The active compound, capsaicin, is known to act as an irritant that can temporarily increase mucus production and promote expectoration (the expulsion of mucus from the respiratory tract).

Despite this traditional use, scientific evidence supporting capsicum as an effective treatment for lung congestion is limited and mostly indirect. Some studies have investigated capsaicin's effects on the respiratory system, noting that inhalation or nasal application can induce a reflex that leads to coughing and increased secretion, which may help in clearing airways. However, these effects are not specific to treating underlying causes of congestion such as infection or chronic disease, and capsaicin can also cause irritation or discomfort in some individuals.

Overall, while there is a well-established tradition of using capsicum for congestion, modern scientific validation is lacking. The evidence supporting its efficacy is weak and largely anecdotal or based on physiological effects observed in laboratory settings rather than robust clinical trials.

More about capsicum
More about Congestion (lungs)

Other ingredients used for Congestion (lungs)

allspice
aloe vera
alpha-pinene
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
yellow root
squawvine
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
lingusticum wallichii
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
siler root
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
Agastache
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
allyl isothiocyanate
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bee hive
Bael
berry
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Bupleurum
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
European Elder
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Galangal
Mustard
Mallow
Sandalwood
Vervain