Synopsis

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

Japanese Apricot (Prunus mume, also known as "ume") has a long history of use in traditional East Asian medicine, particularly in Japan, China, and Korea. Traditionally, pickled ume fruits (umeboshi) or their extracts have been consumed to promote general health and prevent ailments such as colds, with claims that these fruits "warm the body" and enhance resistance to infections. The practice is rooted in folk medicine, where ume is believed to have properties that help dispel "bad energy" and support immune health. However, scientific evidence for these claims is limited and not robust.

Some in vitro and animal studies have suggested that Japanese Apricot contains bioactive compounds such as citric acid, polyphenols, and triterpenoids, which may have mild antimicrobial or immunomodulatory effects. Small-scale studies have explored antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but there is insufficient clinical evidence demonstrating a direct preventive effect on colds in humans. To date, no large-scale, high-quality clinical trials have validated ume's efficacy in cold prevention. Therefore, while the use of Japanese Apricot for cold prevention is well-rooted in tradition and supported by anecdotal reports, scientific validation remains limited, justifying a moderate-low evidence rating.

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