Evidence supporting the use of: Green tea
For the health condition: Influenza

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) has a long history of traditional use in East Asian cultures, but its application for influenza is increasingly supported by emerging scientific evidence rather than tradition alone. The primary bioactive compounds in green tea—catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)—have demonstrated antiviral properties in laboratory studies. In vitro experiments show that green tea catechins can inhibit the replication of the influenza virus by interfering with viral membrane fusion and suppressing neuraminidase activity, an enzyme critical for viral release from infected cells.

Several small-scale clinical studies and observational trials suggest that regular consumption of green tea or green tea extracts may reduce the incidence of influenza infection. For example, a randomized controlled trial in Japan found that daily green tea catechin and theanine supplementation significantly reduced the incidence of clinically diagnosed influenza in healthcare workers during flu season. Additionally, some epidemiological studies have reported a lower risk of influenza infection among populations with high green tea intake.

However, the current body of clinical evidence is limited by small sample sizes, variability in dosage, and potential publication bias. Larger, well-designed trials are needed to confirm efficacy and establish optimal dosing. Therefore, while there is moderate scientific support for the use of green tea in reducing influenza risk, the evidence is not yet robust enough to recommend it as a primary prevention or treatment strategy.

More about green tea
More about Influenza

Other ingredients used for Influenza

green chiretta
astragalus
Myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black garlic
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
camu camu
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
turmeric
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
glehnia root
goldenseal
gooseberry
Greek mountain tea
green tea
honeysuckle
L-cysteine
Lactobacillus casei
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
Monolaurin
Nettle
quercetin
reishi mushroom
selenium
spirulina
sweet wormwood
vitamin C
vitamin D
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
boneset
alpinia galangal
Myrrh
Yerba santa
chrysanthemum
flowering quince
ganoderma
anemarrhena asphodeloides
eucalyptus
Abies spectabilis
Algae
avens
Agarikon Mushroom
apple cider vinegar
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Acacia
Agrimony
Allicin
anamu
AHCC
andrographolide
American Liverleaf
astragaloside
Andrographis
Alstonia scholaris
Adenophora
Alliin
Asarum sieboldii
bee propolis
black seed
Baikal Skullcap
Bryonia
balsam
Basidiomycota
borage
Bupleurum
baicalin
Black Hellebore
balloon flower
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut oil
coriolus mushroom
Clerodendrum phlomidis
carvacrol
cineole
Centipeda
Cistus
Chaenomeles lagenaria
currant
Chondrus
Ephedra
European Elder
elk antler
Echinacea
Elder
Euphorbia
Embelia
fat liver oil
flavanones
frankincense
flavones
Glehnia littoralis
Guaco
Gallesia
Glycyrrhizin
Hyperoside
Houttuynia
honey loquat syrup
Immunoglobulin G
iridoids
Lycium
Ledebouriella
Lomatium
lichen
Lycopodium
labrador tea
little ironweed
liverwort
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Neoandrographolides
Onosma bracteatum
Osthole
Premna
Platycodon
Pelargonium
Pentatropis capensis
Polygonatum
Polygonum
ravinsara
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sulfated polysaccharide
Shikimic Acid
Sweet Bay
Sundew
Tremella
Umckaloabo
Visnea Mocanera
Vasicine
Xanthophyll
Zingerone

Other health conditions supported by green tea

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