Evidence supporting the use of: Cinnamaldehyde
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Cinnamaldehyde, the main active component of cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.), is primarily used in traditional medicine systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, for the management of cough, particularly dry cough. In these practices, cinnamon and its extracts have long been valued for their warming properties and ability to promote circulation, which are believed to help relieve respiratory discomfort, including cough. Some herbal cough remedies and teas incorporate cinnamon or cinnamaldehyde-containing preparations for this reason.
However, there is limited direct scientific evidence supporting cinnamaldehyde’s efficacy specifically for treating dry cough in humans. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest that cinnamaldehyde possesses anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and mild bronchodilatory effects, which could theoretically contribute to cough relief. For example, cinnamaldehyde has shown the ability to inhibit certain bacteria and viruses associated with respiratory tract infections, and may modulate inflammatory pathways. Despite these findings, clinical studies directly evaluating cinnamaldehyde for dry cough are lacking.
In summary, the use of cinnamaldehyde for dry cough is primarily rooted in traditional medicinal use, with only modest indirect scientific support from its general biological activities. Its effectiveness for this specific condition in humans has not been rigorously established through clinical research.
Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)
aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black currant
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
marshmallow
nettle
ophiopogon root
oregano
parsley
pear
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
plum fruit
polygala root
pomegranate
thyme
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
fumaria parviflora
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
dodder
sweet flag
menthol oil
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Ambergris
acacia
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Asarum sieboldii
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Bryonia
Bayleaf
Bael
Butternut
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
banana
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Elder
Ephedrine
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Cinnamaldehyde
Antibiotics (alternatives to)Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)