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

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Synopsis

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

Garlic (Allium sativum) has a long history of traditional use for treating colds and related respiratory infections. This traditional use is supported by some scientific investigations, although the evidence is modest. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that garlic and its organosulfur compounds (such as allicin) possess antiviral and antimicrobial properties in vitro. Some of these compounds can inhibit various pathogens, including viruses responsible for the common cold.

A few small clinical trials have explored garlic’s efficacy in preventing or reducing the severity and duration of colds. A notable randomized controlled trial published in 2001 (Josling P., Advances in Therapy) found that participants taking a daily garlic supplement for 12 weeks experienced fewer colds and recovered faster than those on placebo. However, this study had a relatively small sample size and methodological limitations. Other studies have been inconclusive or failed to replicate these findings.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have concluded that while there is biological plausibility and some preliminary clinical evidence for garlic’s antiviral effects, the overall quality and quantity of evidence is limited. More rigorous, large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm garlic’s effectiveness for preventing or treating the common cold. As it stands, garlic’s use for colds is supported both by tradition and some early scientific studies, but robust clinical validation remains lacking.

More about garlic
More about Colds (antiviral)

Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)

Acacetin
Agastache
AHCC
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
amentoflavone
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
anthocyanins
apigenin
arabinogalactan
Asam gelugor
ash
Asteraceae
atractylone
Aureobasidium pullulans
Autumn elaeagnus
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
Basidiomycota
basil
Bassia scoparia
bee hive
bee products
bee propolis
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bilberry
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black garlic
black nightshade
black seed
blueberry
Bombax
borneol
Broussonetia
buckthorn
caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
capillary artemisia
carrageenan
carvacrol
cat's claw
catechins
Celosia
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese raisintree
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coconut
commiphora
common madia
coriolus mushroom
costus
cowherb
curry leaf
David\'s milkberry
deoxyandrographolides
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
essential oil blend
European Elder
flavones
flavonoids
flavonones
forsythia
fruit
fulvic acid
fungus
Galangal
Gallesia
gallotannin
gamma-terpinene
ganoderma
garlic
garlic bulb
ginger
glyceryl monolaurate
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
goji berry
goldthread
green tea
Hedyotis
Himalaya berry
honey
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
Houttuynia
hyssop
Indian frankincense
Indian kinotree
indigo leaves
Isatis
knotweed
labrador tea
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Laggera pterodonta
lauric acid
lemon
lemongrass
lichen
licorice root
Ligusticum
ligustilides
Ligustrum
Litsea
liverwort
Lomatium
luffa
luteolin
mangostin
Mastic gum
Melia
Mineral ascorbate
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Monoterpenes
Morinda
Morus
Mugwort
Mushroom
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nut grass
Nymphaea nouchali
oregano
oriental arborvitae
Osha
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
papaya
Paris polyphylla
Patrinia
pau d'arco
perilla
Petiveria
Phaeophyceae
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
Phyllanthus
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Polygonum
pomegranate
Propolis
quercetin
ravinsara
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
saponins
schizonepeta
Sesquiterpenes
shiitake mushroom
Shikimic Acid
Shogaol
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
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soursop
spirulina
Tagetes
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Tayuya
Tea
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Theaflavin
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thyme
Thymus
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turmeric
Verbascoside
Viola
Violet
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin C
vitamin D
Wasabi
Waterhyssop
White Tea
xanthium (cockleburs)
Xanthorrhizol
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingiberene

Products containing garlic

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