Evidence supporting the use of: Green tea
For the health condition: Antibiotics (alternatives to)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) has garnered scientific interest for its antimicrobial properties, particularly due to its polyphenolic compounds, most notably epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Several in vitro studies have demonstrated that green tea extracts and EGCG possess activity against a range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli. These compounds appear to disrupt bacterial cell membranes, inhibit enzyme activity, and interfere with quorum sensing, which is crucial for bacterial communication and virulence. Some research has also explored the synergistic effects of green tea when used alongside conventional antibiotics. In certain cases, green tea extracts enhance the efficacy of antibiotics, possibly by inhibiting bacterial efflux pumps or by making bacterial membranes more permeable to drugs. However, most of the evidence comes from laboratory and animal studies, with comparatively limited high-quality clinical trials in humans. While green tea shows promise as a potential adjunct to antibiotics, or even as a mild alternative in some minor infections, it is not an established replacement for antibiotics in serious bacterial infections. The current scientific consensus is that green tea might support antibiotic therapy but cannot substitute for it, especially in severe or systemic infections. Further clinical research is needed to clarify its role and efficacy in this context.

More about green tea
More about Antibiotics (alternatives to)

Other ingredients used for Antibiotics (alternatives to)

10-Hydroxy-2-Decanoic Acid
2'-Fucosyllactose
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Acemannan
Ajoene
Alantolactone
Alchornea
Algae
Algal protein
Allicin
Alliin
Allyl sulfide
alpha-terpineol
Alstonia scholaris
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
Asteraceae
astragalus
aucubin
azelaic acid
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
Bacillus indicus
Bacillus licheniformis
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
baicalin
Baphicacanthus cusia
Basidiomycota
bee hive
bee products
bee propolis
benzyl isothiocyanate
berberine
betulinic acid
Bidens pilosa
black cumin
black walnut
Blue-Green Alage
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
Brazilian peppertree
Brevibacillus laterosporus
Butea monosperma
butyric acid
Calotropis gigantea
capric acid
caprylic acid
carvacrol
caterpillar mushroom
Centipeda
chalcone
Chinese raisintree
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamic acid
citral
Clerodendrum indicum
Clostridium butyricum
clove
coconut
coconut oil
colostrum
copaiba oil
Coptis chinensis
curcumin
Dichrostachys glomerata
Embelia
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
eugenol
European Elder
flavonoids
Fomes fomentarius
fungus
gallic acid
garlic
garlic bulb
geranium
ginger
glyceryl monolaurate
golden shower tree
goldenseal
gooseberry
green tea
Guava
heal-all
Helicteres isora
Herb Robert
honey
honeysuckle
horseradish
Houttuynia
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian tinospora
Isatis
isoquinoline alkaloids
Kefir
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus lactis
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Lantana camara
lauric acid
Lauric arginate
Lentinula edodes mycelia
Leptospermum scoparium
lichen
Litsea
Lysimachia
lysozyme
Mastic gum
melaleuca alternifolia
Monolaurin
Morinda
Mushroom
Myrrh
Naphthoquinones
Nasturtium
Neem tree
Nigella seed
Nimbidin
Nisin
Oleuropein
Oligosaccharides
Onosma bracteatum
oregano
oregon grape
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
oyster mushroom
paederia foetida
Paenibacillus polymyxa
pagoda tree
papaya
Paris polyphylla
pau d'arco
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Petiveria
phenolic compounds
phlorotannins
Phycocyanin
Physalis angulata
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
Platycodon
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pleurotus eryngii
polylysine
polysaccharides
Premna
Propolis
red alder
red root
rhizome
Rhus coriaria
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
sage
saponins
Sarcandra glabra
Self-Heal
Sesbania
shiitake mushroom
Sicklepod
Simaruba
Solanum indicum
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Spilanthes
Streptomyces
Streptomyces cellulosae
Streptomyces fradiae
Streptomyces griseoflavus
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sweet Annie
Tagetes
Tamaricaceae
Tannins
Terminalia
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymol
Thymoquinone
Trametes
Tremella
Tulbaghia
turmeric
vitamin C
Wasabi
Wrightia tinctoria
Xanthorrhizol
Yellow root
Zinc

Other health conditions supported by green tea

Acne
Addictions (coffee, caffeine)
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (excessive)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Autoimmune Disorders
Belching
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (internal)
Blood in Urine
Bloodshot Eyes
Breast Lumps
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cellulite
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cholesterol (high)
Cholesterol (low)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (children)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Concentration (poor)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cramps (menstrual)
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Cytomealovirus
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Down Syndrome
Endometriosis
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Fibroids (uterine)
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Glaucoma
Hemochromatosis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Parkinson's Disease
Perspiration (excessive)
PMS (general)
Polyps
Rosacea
Skin (oily)
Abdominal Pain
Abscesses
Body Odor
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Fatigue
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Headache (general)
Hypertension
Inflammation
Influenza
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Oral Surgery
Psoriasis
Stress
Triglycerides (high)
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections
Wrinkles