Evidence supporting the use of: Epigallocatechin
For the health condition: Colds (antiviral)

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Synopsis

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

Epigallocatechin (specifically epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG) is a catechin found predominantly in green tea. Its use in supporting or treating colds is based on emerging scientific research rather than traditional herbal medicine practices. Several in vitro (test tube) studies have shown that EGCG exhibits antiviral activity against a range of viruses, including some that cause upper respiratory tract infections, such as influenza and certain coronaviruses. These studies suggest that EGCG may interfere with viral entry into cells, viral replication, and the assembly of new viral particles.

However, the majority of the evidence comes from laboratory (cell culture) research, and there are very few clinical trials in humans directly testing EGCG for prevention or treatment of the common cold. Some studies have evaluated green tea catechin extracts in reducing the incidence and duration of upper respiratory tract infections, with mixed but occasionally promising results. For example, a few small randomized trials suggest that green tea extracts may modestly reduce the risk or severity of colds, but these findings are not consistent or robust enough to draw definitive conclusions.

In summary, while there is a scientific rationale and some supporting laboratory evidence for the antiviral effects of epigallocatechin, high-quality clinical evidence in humans is limited. Thus, the scientific evidence supporting its use for colds is preliminary and rated as modest (2/5).

More about Epigallocatechin
More about Colds (antiviral)

Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)

allspice
aloe vera
anthocyanins
arabinogalactan
waterhyssop
basil
berry flavor
beta-pinene
bilberry
bisabolol
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
blueberry
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
catechins
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
clove
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
honeysuckle
knotweed
lactoferrin
lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
lemon
licorice root
luteolin
mastic gum
monolaurin
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
pineapple
pomegranate
quercetin
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
schizonepeta
shiitake mushroom
spirulina
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
wasabia japonica
zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
hyssop
papaya
mugwort
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
commiphora
buckthorn
pau d'arco
morus
lemongrass
chrysanthemum
ganoderma
morinda
oriental arborvitae
zanthoxylum
fulvic acid
goji berry
indigo leaves
soursop
Ash
Agastache
Autumn elaeagnus
Alpha-terpineol
Apigenin
Allicin
Anamu
AHCC
Andrographolide
Amentoflavone
Asam gelugor
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Aureobasidium pullulans
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allyl isothiocyanate
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Atractylone
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berry
Bee products
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Camellia sinensis
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Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Coriolus mushroom
Carrageenan
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Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Citrus
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Cistus
Common madia
Cinnamaldehyde
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Celosia
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Echinacea
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Essential Oil Blend
Flavonoids
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Products containing Epigallocatechin

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.