Synopsis

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

Cinnamaldehyde, the main active component of cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum spp.), has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other herbal traditions. In TCM, cinnamon bark (Rou Gui) is frequently used to warm the body, dispel cold, and promote circulation. When it comes to coughs associated with "dampness" (a TCM concept referring to the accumulation of fluids or phlegm), cinnamon-containing formulas are sometimes applied to help mobilize and resolve this dampness, especially if accompanied by cold symptoms. The use of cinnamaldehyde for "damp cough" is therefore rooted in historical and traditional practice rather than modern biomedical evidence. While cinnamaldehyde does possess some antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory studies, there is currently a lack of direct clinical evidence specifically supporting its use for treating coughs classified as "damp" or due to excess phlegm in humans. The evidence rating is moderate for tradition but low for direct scientific validation, as most supporting data comes from traditional use patterns and not from controlled studies. In summary, cinnamaldehyde's use for "damp cough" is justified primarily by tradition, with limited modern research specific to this indication.

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