Evidence supporting the use of: Green tea
For the health condition: Colds (general)

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Synopsis

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

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for various ailments, including colds and other respiratory infections. The primary interest in green tea for cold support stems from its high content of catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which have demonstrated antiviral, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory properties in laboratory studies. Some in vitro studies suggest that green tea catechins can inhibit the replication of common cold viruses, such as influenza and some coronaviruses. Additionally, green tea’s antioxidant and mild anti-inflammatory effects may help modulate immune responses and reduce symptoms.

Clinical evidence in humans, however, is limited and not definitive. A few small randomized controlled trials have found that regular green tea consumption or catechin supplementation may slightly reduce the incidence or duration of upper respiratory tract infections, but the results are inconsistent and not robust enough to recommend green tea as a primary treatment for colds. Most guidelines still regard green tea as a supportive measure, potentially contributing to hydration and symptom relief rather than providing a cure. Overall, while laboratory and preliminary clinical data provide scientific rationale for green tea’s use in supporting the body during a cold, the evidence is moderate at best, and further well-designed human studies are needed to confirm its efficacy.

More about green tea
More about Colds (general)

Other ingredients used for Colds (general)

allspice
aloe vera
green chiretta
anthocyanins
apple
arabinogalactan
astragalus
waterhyssop
bamboo
barberry
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
berry flavor
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
radish
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
bасора
capsaicinoids
carrot
cassia bark
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
cinnamon
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut milk
colostrum
turmeric
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
horseradish
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
jujube
l-cysteine
lactobacillus fermentum
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lemon
licorice root
lovage
lychee
marshmallow
mastic gum
milk
moringa
mustard seed
nettle
spruce
orange
oregano
oregon grape
pear
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
pineapple
plantain
plum fruit
pomegranate
pumpkin
quail egg
quercetin
raspberry
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
thyme
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
wasabia japonica
water
yeast
zinc
sarsaparilla
squawvine
boneset
tangerine
typhonium
xanthium (cockleburs)
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
papaya
capsicum
mugwort
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
pistacia integerrima gall
commiphora
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
bee pollen
peony
lingusticum wallichii
boxthorne
buckthorn
lemongrass
yerba santa
chrysanthemum
siler root
flowering quince
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
dulse leaf
purslane
fulvic acid
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
peach
paw paw
abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
algae
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Alcohol
Ash
Aralia
Avens
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Allicin
Anamu
Abrus
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Ajuga
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bougainvillea
Bee hive
Bael
berry
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Bur-Reed
Bioflavonoids
black salt
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bupleurum
Bassia scoparia
Belamcanda
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Cumin
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Cinnamomum
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cloudberry
coconut oil
Coriander
Chive
Carvacrol
Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Common madia
Curcuma
Cowslip
Calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Carthamus
cola nut
Celosia
Culvers Root
Currant
Chrysophanics
Chondrus
Dianthus
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dragonhead
Deoxyandrographolides
David's Milkberry
Desmodium
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
Ephedra
European Elder
English Horsemint
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Embelia
Goldthread
Garlic
Lotus
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Potato
Rose
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Squash
Sumac
Vervain
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by green tea

Abdominal Pain
Abscesses
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
Body Odor
Breast Lumps
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
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)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glaucoma
Hair (loss or thinning)
Headache (general)
Hemochromatosis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Influenza
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Oral Surgery
Parkinson's Disease
Perspiration (excessive)
PMS (general)
Polyps
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Skin (oily)
Stress
Triglycerides (high)
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections
Wrinkles