Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Colds (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has a long history of use for preventing and treating the common cold. Its popularization for this purpose is often credited to Linus Pauling, who in the 1970s advocated for high-dose vitamin C as a remedy for colds. Since then, numerous scientific studies have examined the efficacy of vitamin C in both the prevention and treatment of the common cold.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses, including a major Cochrane review, indicate that regular vitamin C supplementation (typically 200 mg or more daily) does not substantially reduce the incidence of colds in the general population. However, it may modestly reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms. In specific subgroups, such as people under extreme physical stress (athletes, soldiers in subarctic conditions), vitamin C supplementation appears to reduce the risk of developing a cold.
When vitamin C is taken after the onset of cold symptoms, evidence suggests it does not significantly alter the course of the illness. The effect size for regular supplementation in reducing cold duration is generally small (about 8% in adults and 14% in children). Overall, while there is some scientific validation for vitamin C's role in reducing cold duration and severity, the evidence is not strong, and vitamin C is not considered a cure or robust preventative for the common cold.
Other ingredients used for Colds (general)
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acidAbies spectabilis
Abrus
Acacia
Aconite
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Ajuga
Alcohol
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
Amor seco
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
Angelica
anthocyanins
apple
apple cider vinegar
arabinogalactan
Aralia
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
ash
aster root
Asteraceae
astragalus
atractylodes
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
bamboo
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
Barleria
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee hive
bee pollen
bee products
bee propolis
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bermuda grass
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bioflavonoids
birch
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
bitter principals
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black garlic
black nightshade
black pepper
black salt
black seed
black tea
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Blepharis
blueberry
Boerhavia diffusa
Bombax
boneset
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
Bougainvillea
boxthorne
Broussonetia
buckthorn
Buddha\'s hand
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
bur-reed
burdock
Butea monosperma
bасора
cajuput
calamus
Camellia sinensis
capillary artemisia
capsaicin
capsaicinoids
capsicum
cardamom
carrot
Carthamus
carvacrol
cassia bark
caterpillar mushroom
cayenne pepper
Celosia
chamomile
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese raisintree
Chinese silkvine
chive
Chlorophytum
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
chrysophanics
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clerodendrum trichotomum
cloudberry
clove
coconut
coconut milk
coconut oil
Coin-leaf desmodium
cola nut
colostrum
commiphora
common madia
coriander
costus
cowherb
cowslip
culvers Root
cumin
Curcuma
curcumen
Curcuminoid
currant
curry leaf
David\'s milkberry
deoxyandrographolides
Desmodium
Dianthus
dodder
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
dodeca-2E, 4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide
dog rose
dragonhead
dulse leaf
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Eclipta
Elder
elderberry
Embelia
English horsemint
Ephedra
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European Elder
European five-finger grass
Evodia
fang-feng
fat liver oil
ferula assafoetida
Ficus simplicissima
flat-stem milk-vetch
flavonones
flowering quince
forsythia
frankincense
fruit
fulvic acid
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic
garlic bulb
giant blazingstar
Gigartina
ginger
ginseng
Glechoma hederacea
Glycyrrhizin
Gnaphalium
goldthread
gooseberry
grape
Greek mountain tea
green chiretta
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
heal-all
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
hemp
Herb Robert
honey
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
hyacinth bean
Hygrophila
hyssop
Ilex
Indian bael
Indian fagonia
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
iridoid glycosides
iridoids
Isatis
joe-pye
jujube
jungli-bean
Kokilaksha
kuding tea
Kukicha
L-cysteine
labrador tea
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Laggera pterodonta
Lebbek
Ledebouriella
lemon
lemongrass
lichen
licorice root
Ligusticum
Ligustrum
lime
limonene
linalool
Litsea
little ironweed
liverwort
lodhtree
Lomatium
long pepper
loquat
lotus
lovage
luffa
lychee
lysozyme
mace
mallow
mandarin
manzanita
maple
marigold
Marjoram
Marsh Tea
Marshmallow
Mastic gum
Maytenus ilicifolia
Meadow sage
Meadowsweet
Melia
Menthol oil
Milk
Mineral ascorbate
Momordica
Monardella odoratissima
Monoterpenes
Morinda
Moringa
Mountain Pepper
Mugwort
Mushroom
Mustard
mustard seed
Myrcene
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Neem tree
Nettle
Nimbidin
nut grass
Nymphaea nouchali
onion
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
orange
oregano
oregon grape
Oroxylum indicum
Orris
Oryza sativa
Osha
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
pagoda tree
papaya
Paris polyphylla
Patrinia
paw paw
peach
pear
Pelargonium
peony
Pepper
perilla
Persimmon
Petiveria
Peucedanum
Phaeophyceae
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
Phosphate ascorbate
Phyllanthus
Physalis angulata
pineapple
Piper chaba
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
Pluchea
plum fruit
Polygonatum
Polygonum
pomegranate
Portulaca
Propolis
Prunus
pumpkin
purslane
Pyrrosia
quail egg
quercetin
Quillaja
radish
raspberry
ravinsara
reishi mushroom
rhizome
Rooibos
rose
rose hips
rosemary
Rubiaceae
Rubus
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
Sargassum
sarsaparilla
Sassafras
Scabrous Gentian
Schisandrins
schizonepeta
Scoparia dulcis
scrophularia root
Sesbania
Sesquiterpenes
Sete sangrias
Shark Liver Oil
Shogaol
Sichuan Lovage
Sichuan pepper
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sicklepod
siler root
Sinigrin
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Sophora
Southern Tsangshu
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spikenard
spirulina
spruce
squawvine
Sumac
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweet flag
Szechuan lovage
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Tea
Terminalia
Terpenoids
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymol
Thymus
Tinospora cordifolia
Tremella
Trichosanthes
Triterpenes
Tulbaghia
turmeric
typhonium
Umckaloabo
vegetable blend (proprietary)
Vervain
Viola
Violet
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
Wasabi
Water Pepper
Waterhyssop
Wax Gourd
White Tea
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yeast
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Yuzu
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by vitamin C
Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAddictions (general remedies for)
Addison's Disease
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Arteriosclerosis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Bleeding (external)
Bleeding (internal)
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Bruises (prevention)
Burns and Scalds
Capillary Weakness
Cartilage Damage
Cataracts
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemical Poisoning
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colon (atonic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Copper Toxicity
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Environmental Pollution
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Problems
Eyesight (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Free Radical Damage
Gall Stones
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glaucoma
Gonorrhea
Gout
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Knees (weak)
Laryngitis
Lead Poisoning
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Ligaments (torn or injured)
Liver Detoxification
Lyme Disease
Macular Degeneration
Mastitis
Measles
Memory and Brain Function
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Metabolic Syndrome
Mononucleosis
Mumps
Nose Bleeds
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pancreatitis
PMS (general)
PMS Type C
PMS Type H
Pneumonia
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prolapsed Uterus
Prostatitis
Radiation Sickness
Rashes and Hives
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Rosacea
Scars / Scar Tissue
Schizophrenia
Scratches and Abrasions
Scurvy
Shingles
Shock
Sinus Infection
Skin (infections)
Skin Care (general)
Sore Throat
Spider Veins
Spinal Disks
Sprains
Strep Throat
Stretch Marks
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Teeth (loose)
Tendonitis
Thrush
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Extraction
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Uric Acid Retention
Urinary Tract Infections
Vaginitis
Varicose Veins
Warts
Wounds and Sores
Wrinkles
Adrenal Fatigue
Abrasions
Acne
Abscesses
Bell's Palsy
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Carbuncles
Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety
Arthritis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Products containing vitamin C
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas (Sugar Free Original Formula)
Nature's Sunshine Adrenal Support
Nature's Sunshine Bowel Detox
Nature's Sunshine Children's Elderberry Immune
Nature's Sunshine Children's MultiVitamin & Mineral
Nature's Sunshine Cortisol Formula (Nature's Cortisol Formula)
Nature's Sunshine Defense Maintenance
Nature's Sunshine Detox Basics
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Grapine With Protectors (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine Hepatic System
Nature's Sunshine Iron (Chelated)
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas (Sugar Free) NEW!
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas
Nature's Sunshine Marine Collagen
Nature's Sunshine Marine Glo Collagen
Nature's Sunshine Master Gland Formula®
Nature's Sunshine Mega-Chel
Nature's Sunshine Milk Thistle Combination
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Prenatal
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Harvest
Nature's Sunshine Nervous System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Nutri-Calm
Nature's Sunshine Nutri-Calm
Nature's Sunshine Perfect Eyes
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets Pouch
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets To-Go Packs
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens Pouch
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens To-Go
Nature's Sunshine Skeletal Strength
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Twenty-Four
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Immune
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Revive
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental (Without Iron)
Nature's Sunshine Super Trio
Nature's Sunshine Vari-Gone
Nature's Sunshine Vitamin C (1000 mg, Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Vitamin C (1000 mg, Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Vitamin C Ascorbates
Nature's Sunshine Chewable Vitamin C
Nature's Sunshine Citrus Bioflavonoids (Vitamin C)
Nature's Sunshine Zinc Lozenge
