Synopsis

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

Diterpenes are a large class of chemical compounds found in various plants, including some well-known medicinal herbs like thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Traditionally, extracts from these plants have been used in folk medicine for the relief of cough, particularly spastic or convulsive (whooping) cough. The use of diterpene-rich herbs is especially noted in European and Asian traditional medicine systems. For example, thymol (a monoterpene phenol, but thyme also contains diterpenes) and other plant constituents have been associated with antitussive and bronchodilatory effects, which may help alleviate cough spasms.

However, while the traditional use of plants containing diterpenes for cough is well documented, the specific role of "diterpenes (unspecified)" as a class is less clear in modern pharmacology. Most clinical studies focus on whole plant extracts rather than isolated diterpenes, and scientific evidence for the direct efficacy of unspecified diterpenes in treating spastic cough is limited. Some diterpenes, such as those from Andrographis paniculata or Salvia miltiorrhiza, have shown anti-inflammatory or antitussive effects in preclinical models, but robust clinical data are lacking.

In summary, the use of diterpenes for spastic cough is primarily based on traditional herbal practices rather than strong scientific validation, and the evidence supporting this use is moderate at best (rating: 2).

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