Evidence supporting the use of: Monoterpenes
For the health condition: Colds (antiviral)

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Synopsis

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

Monoterpenes are a class of terpenes found in essential oils from plants such as eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree. Their use in treating colds has some scientific basis, primarily due to their antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and decongestant properties demonstrated in preclinical studies. Compounds like 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), menthol, and limonene have shown in vitro activity against certain respiratory viruses, including influenza and rhinovirus. Additionally, monoterpenes can help reduce airway inflammation and facilitate mucus clearance, which may relieve symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infections. Clinical trials on specific monoterpene-rich preparations (e.g., cineole capsules) have shown modest symptom improvement in patients with bronchitis and sinusitis, but robust, high-quality trials specifically targeting the common cold are limited. The overall evidence remains preliminary, supporting symptom relief more than direct antiviral effects in humans. As a result, monoterpene use for colds is best characterized as scientifically plausible with low-to-moderate evidence, meriting a rating of 2. Traditional use in aromatherapy and herbal medicine also exists, but scientific validation is the primary justification for their use in this context.

More about Monoterpenes
More about Colds (antiviral)

Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)

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anthocyanins
arabinogalactan
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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
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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
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xanthium (cockleburs)
hyssop
papaya
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nut grass
alpinia galangal
commiphora
buckthorn
pau d'arco
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lemongrass
chrysanthemum
ganoderma
Morinda
oriental arborvitae
zanthoxylum
fulvic acid
goji berry
indigo leaves
soursop
ash
Agastache
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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
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honey
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lichen
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luffa
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liverwort
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Mineral ascorbate
Melia
Monoterpenes
mangostin
Mushroom
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Nymphaea nouchali
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Osmanthus
Oxystelma
Propolis
Phellodendron
Phyllanthus
Phenylpropanoids
Phaeophyceae
Paris polyphylla
Piper nigrum
Patrinia
Polygonum
Petiveria
ravinsara
Sophora
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Salvia
Solanum indicum
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Shogaol
Sandalwood
saponins
Shikimic Acid
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Tea
Thymus
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Triterpenes
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Tagetes
Thiosulfinate
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Violet
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Products containing Monoterpenes

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.