Evidence supporting the use of: Sesquiterpenes
For the health condition: Colds (with fever)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Sesquiterpenes are a class of naturally occurring compounds found in many essential oils, such as those from ginger, chamomile, and myrrh. Their use for supporting or treating colds, especially those accompanied by fever, is primarily rooted in traditional herbal and folk medicine practices. Historically, plants rich in sesquiterpenes have been used for their purported anti-inflammatory, antipyretic (fever-reducing), and antimicrobial properties. For example, ginger (Zingiber officinale) and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), both containing significant sesquiterpene fractions, have long been ingredients in teas and remedies for respiratory infections and feverish colds.
From a scientific perspective, there is limited but emerging evidence that certain sesquiterpenes possess anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity in vitro or in animal studies. However, robust clinical data in humans, specifically related to the treatment or support of colds with fever, remain scarce. Most commonly cited studies address the general anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating effects of sesquiterpenes, rather than direct efficacy against cold viruses or fever reduction in humans. Thus, while the traditional basis for their use is strong, the scientific validation is incomplete, and the overall evidence would be rated as modest.
Other ingredients used for Colds (with fever)
Aloe veragreen chiretta
anthocyanins
basil
bilberry
black cumin
black currant
blueberry
capsaicinoids
chamomile
citrus oil
clove
coconut milk
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
green tea
lemon
licorice root
pear
plantain
pomegranate
quercetin
rhizome
rosemary
sage
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
Zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
Mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
boxthorne
buckthorn
Yerba santa
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
Trichosanthes
aster root
indigo leaves
avens
Agastache
Ardisia
Acacia
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Ajuga
andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteraceae
Amor seco
Arani
atractylone
bermuda grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
black galingale
bitter grass
bael
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bur-reed
bee products
black nightshade
Bassia scoparia
capillary artemisia
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Cistus
common madia
cinnamaldehyde
Celosia
chrysophanics
dragonhead
Eclipta
fruit
flavoglycosides
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Glechoma hederacea
honey
hemp
Horsemint
isoquinoline alkaloids
Isatis
long pepper
Indian fagonia
Laggera pterodonta
luffa
lodhtree
little ironweed
Ligusticum
linalool
Lewis's monkey flower
mallow
Melia
Monoterpenes
Mushroom
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxystelma
Phenylpropanoids
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pansit-pansitan
Piper nigrum
Sesbania
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Shogaol
Scabrous Gentian
Tea
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Umckaloabo
Vervain
Viola
Water Pepper
Winter Savory
Zingiberene
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Sesquiterpenes
Abdominal PainAcne
Anxiety
Arthritis
Bites and Stings
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)