Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Colds (with fever)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Vitamin C has a long-standing traditional use in supporting and treating common colds, especially those accompanied by fever. This practice became widespread after Linus Pauling, a Nobel laureate, advocated for high doses of vitamin C to prevent and treat colds in the 1970s. Historically, vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits were recommended for people suffering from respiratory infections, based on the vitamin’s known role in supporting immune function and overall health.
Scientifically, the evidence supporting vitamin C’s effectiveness in preventing or treating colds is mixed. Multiple placebo-controlled trials and meta-analyses have generally shown that regular vitamin C supplementation (at doses of 200 mg or more per day) does not reduce the incidence of colds in the general population but may slightly reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. Some subgroups, such as those under intense physical stress (e.g., marathon runners), may experience a reduction in cold incidence. However, once cold symptoms have started, taking vitamin C does not appear to significantly affect the course or severity of the illness. Overall, vitamin C is widely used due to tradition and public belief, but scientific evidence only modestly supports its impact on cold duration or severity, and not as a definitive treatment, especially for colds with fever.
Other ingredients used for Colds (with fever)
AcaciaAconite
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Ajuga
Aloe vera
alpinia galangal
Amomum
Amor seco
Andrographis
andrographolide
anthocyanins
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
aster root
Asteraceae
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
bermuda grass
bilberry
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black nightshade
blackboard tree
blueberry
boxthorne
buckthorn
bur-reed
capillary artemisia
capsaicinoids
Celosia
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
chrysophanics
cinnamaldehyde
Cistus
clove
coconut milk
common madia
cowage seed
cowherb
dragonhead
Eclipta
elderberry
flavoglycosides
forsythia
fruit
gamma-terpinene
garlic bulb
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
Gnaphalium
grape
green chiretta
green tea
hemp
honey
Horsemint
hyacinth bean
Indian fagonia
indigo leaves
Isatis
isoquinoline alkaloids
Laggera pterodonta
lemon
Lewis's monkey flower
licorice root
Ligusticum
linalool
little ironweed
lodhtree
long pepper
luffa
mallow
Melia
Monoterpenes
Mugwort
Mushroom
nut grass
Onosma bracteatum
Oroxylum indicum
Oxystelma
Pansit-pansitan
Paris polyphylla
pear
Peucedanum
Phenylpropanoids
Piper nigrum
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
pomegranate
quercetin
rhizome
rosemary
sage
Salvia
Scabrous Gentian
Sesbania
Sesquiterpenes
Shogaol
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Southern Tsangshu
Sphaeranthus indicus
Sweet Annie
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Tea
thyme
Thymus
Trichosanthes
turmeric
Umckaloabo
Vervain
Viola
vitamin C
vitamin D
Water Pepper
Winter Savory
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yerba santa
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene
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
