Synopsis

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

Goldthread (Coptis chinensis) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is commonly employed to "clear heat" and "detoxify," which are concepts often associated with treating or preventing colds and other infections. The active compound, berberine, is known for its antimicrobial properties, and extracts of Goldthread have shown in vitro activity against various bacteria and viruses. However, the majority of clinical or pre-clinical research on Goldthread and its constituents focuses on gastrointestinal infections, metabolic disorders, and inflammation, rather than specifically on the prevention of colds. There is a lack of robust, high-quality clinical trials directly examining Goldthread’s efficacy in preventing the common cold in humans. Most of the support for its use in this context is rooted in traditional practice and extrapolation from its general antimicrobial and immune-modulating properties. Therefore, while its use for colds is justified by traditional systems of medicine, particularly in East Asia, scientific validation for this specific indication remains limited. The available scientific evidence is suggestive but not conclusive, and more targeted clinical studies would be needed to substantiate its efficacy for cold prevention.

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