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

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Synopsis

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

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for respiratory ailments, including lung congestion. Traditionally, rosemary leaves have been used as an herbal remedy in the form of teas, steam inhalations, or topical applications to ease symptoms of colds, coughs, and bronchial congestion. The aromatic essential oil of rosemary contains compounds such as camphor, cineole (eucalyptol), and alpha-pinene, which are known for their expectorant and decongestant properties. These constituents can open airways and help clear mucus, supporting the traditional uses.

However, while these traditional uses are well documented in ethnobotanical texts and folk medicine, scientific validation is limited. Some laboratory studies have shown that rosemary essential oil has mild antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and cineole is recognized in other herbs (like eucalyptus) for its mucolytic effects. Yet, there are very few clinical studies specifically investigating rosemary’s efficacy for lung congestion in humans. Most evidence remains anecdotal or is extrapolated from the known actions of its chemical constituents, rather than direct clinical trials on rosemary itself.

In summary, rosemary's use for supporting lung congestion is primarily based on tradition and the known pharmacological actions of its essential oil components. While plausible mechanisms exist, strong scientific evidence from controlled human studies is lacking. Therefore, rosemary may be used as a supportive measure for mild congestion based on tradition, but it should not substitute for proven medical treatments in serious respiratory conditions.

More about rosemary
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Other ingredients used for Congestion (lungs)

Abies spectabilis
Aconite
Adenophora
Agastache
Alantolactone
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
ambergris
Amor seco
andrographolide
Angelica
anise
Ardisia
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
aster root
atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balloon flower
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
basil
bayleaf
bee hive
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bisabolene
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Bombax
boneset
borage
borneol
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
Buddha\'s hand
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
cajuput
calamus
Camellia sinensis
capsaicinoids
capsicum
cardamom
Carthamus
cayenne pepper
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
Cistus
Citrus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coltsfoot
Coptis chinensis
cowherb
culvers Root
curcumen
curry leaf
diterpenes
dragonhead
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Eclipta
Elder
elderberry
elecampane
Ephedra
ephedrine
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
European Elder
European five-finger grass
Evodia
fang-feng
fat liver oil
ferula assafoetida
flavoglycosides
forsythia
frankincense
fritillaria
Galangal
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic bulb
ginger
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Gnaphalium
grape
green tea
Guaco
Heartsease
Hedyotis
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honey
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
Houttuynia
hyssop
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
Isatis
Ivy
jungli-bean
juniper berries
Khella
labrador tea
Laggera pterodonta
Ledebouriella
lemongrass
lichen
licorice root
Ligusticum
Ligustrazin
limonene
Litsea
Lomatium
long pepper
lovage
lungwort
malabar nut
mallow
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Menthol oil
Methylxanthine
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Mountain Pepper
Mucolase
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Mullein
Mustard
mustard seed
Neoandrographolides
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onion
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
oregano
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
Orris
Osha
Paris polyphylla
Pepper
perilla
Peucedanum
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
Pinellia ternata
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
Platycodon
platycodon root
Pluchea
Polygonum
pomegranate
prepared aconite tuber
Pyrrosia
quercetin
ravinsara
rosemary
Rubiaceae
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Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
scrophularia root
Servicetree
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shiitake mushroom
Sichuan Lovage
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siler root
Smartweed
Solanum indicum
Sophora
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
spruce
squawvine
Stereospermum
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sundew
sweet flag
Szechuan lovage
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Terpinolene
thyme
Thymus
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turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Vervain
Viola
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Visnea Mocanera
vitamin C
Vladimiria souliei
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
Yellow root
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Zingerone
Zingiberene