Evidence supporting the use of: Green tea
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)

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Synopsis

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

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in East Asia, where it has been consumed for its various health benefits, including as a remedy for respiratory issues such as congestion and bronchial discomfort. Traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine often recommend green tea for its purported ability to "clear heat" and "dispel phlegm," concepts that roughly correspond to reducing inflammation and aiding mucus clearance. The mild caffeine content in green tea can act as a bronchodilator, which may provide some subjective relief from congestion. Furthermore, the warm liquid itself can help soothe irritated mucous membranes and facilitate mucus thinning, making expectoration easier.

From a scientific perspective, green tea contains polyphenolic compounds such as catechins (notably epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG), which possess antioxidant and mild anti-inflammatory properties. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest that these compounds can modulate immune responses and may have a protective effect against certain respiratory pathogens. However, robust clinical evidence supporting the use of green tea specifically for bronchial congestion in humans is lacking. Most of the supportive claims remain rooted in tradition and anecdotal use rather than in controlled clinical trials. Thus, while green tea may offer some symptomatic comfort, especially as a warm beverage, its efficacy for treating bronchial congestion is supported more by traditional use than strong scientific validation.

More about green tea
More about Congestion (bronchial)

Other ingredients used for Congestion (bronchial)

Abies spectabilis
Aconite
Adenophora
Adrenergic amines
Agastache
Alantolactone
Alcohol
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
Amor seco
Anamarrhena
andrographolide
Angelica
anise
Ardisia
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
aster root
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balloon flower
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
basil
bayleaf
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
berry
beta-pinene
bicarbonate
Bidens pilosa
bisabolene
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black pepper
black salt
black seed
Black spruce
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Bombax
boneset
borage
borneol
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
buckthorn
Buddha\'s hand
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
caffeine
cajuput
calamus
Camellia sinensis
capsaicinoids
capsicum
cardamom
Carthamus
cayenne pepper
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
Cistus
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Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coltsfoot
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
cowherb
culvers Root
Curcuma
curcumen
curry leaf
diterpenes
dragonhead
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Eclipta
Elder
elderberry
elecampane
Ephedra
ephedrine
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
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fang-feng
fat liver oil
fernbush
ferula assafoetida
forsythia
frankincense
fritillaria
Galangal
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic bulb
giant blazingstar
ginger
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Gnaphalium
grape
green tea
Guaco
heal-all
Heartsease
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Helicteres isora
honey
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
Houttuynia
hyssop
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
iridoids
Isatis
Ivy
jungli-bean
juniper berries
Khella
labrador tea
Laggera pterodonta
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lemongrass
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lichen
licorice root
Ligusticum
limonene
linalool
Litsea
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long pepper
lovage
malabar nut
mallow
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mustard seed
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onion
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ophiopogon root
oregano
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
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Paris polyphylla
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perilla
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phellodendron amurense
Pinellia ternata
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platycodon root
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pomegranate
prepared aconite tuber
Pyrrosia
quercetin
ravinsara
rosemary
Rubiaceae
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scrophularia root
Servicetree
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shiitake mushroom
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soursop
spearmint leaf
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spruce
squawvine
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thyme
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vitamin C
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Waterhyssop
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
Yellow root
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
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