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

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) has been traditionally consumed in many cultures, particularly in East Asia, for its general health-promoting properties, including resistance to colds. However, there is also a growing body of scientific research supporting its use in the prevention of colds and other upper respiratory tract infections. The primary bioactive compounds in green tea are catechins, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which exhibit antiviral, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects.

A number of laboratory studies have demonstrated that catechins can inhibit the replication of various viruses, including influenza and some common cold viruses. Human clinical studies provide moderate evidence for its preventive effects: a randomized controlled trial in healthcare workers showed that those who consumed green tea catechin and theanine capsules had significantly fewer cases of influenza compared to placebo. Other studies suggest that regular green tea consumption may reduce the incidence and duration of cold and flu symptoms, likely due to enhanced immune cell function and lowered inflammation.

Despite these promising findings, the evidence is not yet robust enough for green tea to be considered a primary preventive therapy for colds, but regular consumption may offer modest benefits. Most clinical trials to date are small or use green tea extracts rather than brewed tea, and results are sometimes inconsistent. Nevertheless, both traditional and scientific perspectives support its use, with scientific validation currently at a moderate level.

More about green tea
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Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)

Abrus
Acacia
Agastache
Ajuga
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
Amor seco
Andrographis
andrographolide
anthocyanins
apple cider vinegar
arabinogalactan
Aralia
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
aster root
Asteraceae
astragalus
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
bamboo
Baphicacanthus cusia
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
bermuda grass
berry
beta-glucan
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bioflavonoids
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black nightshade
black pepper
black salt
black seed
black tea
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Blepharis
borneol
buckthorn
bасора
Camellia sinensis
camu camu
capillary artemisia
capsaicin
capsaicinoids
caterpillar mushroom
cayenne pepper
Celosia
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chinese silkvine
chlorella
Chlorophytum
chrysanthemum
cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut
coconut milk
colostrum
coriander
costus
cowherb
Curcuminoid
currant
curry leaf
Dianthus
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
dragonhead
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
European Elder
European five-finger grass
ferula assafoetida
flavoglycosides
flavonoids
flowering quince
forsythia
fruit
fungus
galactooligosaccharides
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
garlic
garlic bulb
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
Gnaphalium
goji berry
goldthread
grape
Greek mountain tea
green chiretta
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
heal-all
Hedyotis
Herb Robert
honey
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
Horsemint
hyacinth bean
Ilex
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
iridoids
Isatis
Kokilaksha
labrador tea
Lactobacillus brevis
Laggera pterodonta
Lebbek
lemon
lemongrass
licorice root
Ligusticum
Ligustrum
lime
Litsea
lodhtree
Lomatium
lovage
luffa
mace
mandarin
marigold
Marshmallow
Meadow sage
Melia
Menthol oil
Monoterpenes
Moringa
Mountain Pepper
Mugwort
Mushroom
Mustard
mustard seed
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Nettle
nut grass
onion
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
orange
oregano
oregon grape
Oroxylum indicum
Oxystelma
papaya
Paris polyphylla
paw paw
pear
Pelargonium
peony
Pepper
Petiveria
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
Physalis angulata
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
Prunus
pumpkin
Pyrrosia
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rhizome
Rooibos
rose hips
rosemary
Rubiaceae
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
saponins
sarsaparilla
Scabrous Gentian
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
seaweed
Sesbania
Sesquiterpenes
Sete sangrias
Shogaol
Sichuan Lovage
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sicklepod
siler root
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Southern Tsangshu
Sphaeranthus indicus
spruce
squawvine
Sumac
Sweet Annie
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Tea
Terpenoids
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymus
Tremella
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Umckaloabo
vegetable blend (proprietary)
Vervain
Viola
vitamin C
vitamin D
Water Pepper
Waterhyssop
White Tea
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yeast
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene

Other health conditions supported by green tea

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