Evidence supporting the use of: Catechin
For the health condition: Colds (antiviral)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Catechin, a type of polyphenol found in green tea and other plants, has been investigated for its antiviral properties, including potential effects against the common cold viruses (primarily rhinoviruses and coronaviruses). Laboratory studies (in vitro) have shown that catechins can inhibit the replication of certain viruses and may interfere with viral attachment or entry into host cells. Some clinical studies, particularly those examining green tea catechins, have suggested a modest reduction in the incidence or duration of upper respiratory tract infections, possibly due to both direct antiviral effects and immune-modulating properties.
However, the evidence remains limited and inconsistent. Most studies are small, not always well-controlled, and often involve catechin-rich extracts rather than isolated catechin. A few randomized controlled trials have reported that regular consumption of green tea catechins may reduce the risk of catching a cold, but effect sizes are generally small and not always statistically significant. As a result, while there is some scientific rationale and preliminary evidence suggesting catechins might help prevent or mitigate colds, the overall quality and strength of evidence are modest. Larger, well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm any real benefit. Established treatment guidelines do not currently recommend catechin supplementation for cold prevention or treatment.
Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)
AllspiceAloe vera
anthocyanins
arabinogalactan
Waterhyssop
basil
berry flavor
beta-pinene
bilberry
bisabolol
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
blueberry
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
catechins
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
clove
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
honeysuckle
knotweed
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
lemon
licorice root
luteolin
Mastic gum
Monolaurin
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
pineapple
pomegranate
quercetin
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
schizonepeta
shiitake mushroom
spirulina
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
Wasabi
Zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
hyssop
papaya
Mugwort
Neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
commiphora
buckthorn
pau d'arco
Morus
lemongrass
chrysanthemum
ganoderma
Morinda
oriental arborvitae
zanthoxylum
fulvic acid
goji berry
indigo leaves
soursop
ash
Agastache
Autumn elaeagnus
alpha-terpineol
apigenin
Allicin
anamu
AHCC
andrographolide
amentoflavone
Asam gelugor
Acacetin
Aureobasidium pullulans
Andrographis
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
Allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
atractylone
bee propolis
black seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
balsam
bishop\'s weed
black galingale
bitter grass
bee hive
Basidiomycota
berry
bee products
black nightshade
Bombax
baicalin
Bassia scoparia
borneol
caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
coconut
curry leaf
Chinese mountain ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coriolus mushroom
carrageenan
carvacrol
capillary artemisia
citron
Citrus
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Cistus
common madia
cinnamaldehyde
costus
Celosia
Chondrus
deoxyandrographolides
David\'s milkberry
European Elder
Echinacea
Elder
essential oil blend
fruit
flavonoids
fungus
flavonones
flavones
goldthread
glyceryl monolaurate
gamma-terpinene
garlic
Gallesia
gallotannin
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Galangal
Glycyrrhizin
honey
Hedyotis
Houttuynia
honey loquat syrup
Himalaya berry
Isatis
Indian kinotree
Litsea
Lomatium
lichen
Laggera pterodonta
ligustilides
luffa
Ligustrum
labrador tea
liverwort
Ligusticum
Mineral ascorbate
Melia
Monoterpenes
mangostin
Mushroom
Neoandrographolides
Naphthoquinones
Nymphaea nouchali
Osha
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
Propolis
Phellodendron
Phyllanthus
Phenylpropanoids
Phaeophyceae
Paris polyphylla
Piper nigrum
Patrinia
Polygonum
Petiveria
ravinsara
Sophora
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Salvia
Solanum indicum
Sambucus nigra
Shogaol
Sandalwood
saponins
Shikimic Acid
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Triterpenes
Tayuya
Theaflavin
Trametes
Tagetes
Thiosulfinate
Visnea Mocanera
Violet
Verbascoside
Viola
White Tea
Xanthorrhizol
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by Catechin
Alzheimer's DiseaseArthritis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (prevention)
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Fatty Liver Disease
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Memory and Brain Function
Osteoporosis
Triglycerides (high)
Ulcers