Relationship: Colds (antiviral) and green tea

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

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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, including as a general health tonic. In recent years, modern research has investigated its potential antiviral properties, particularly relevant to common colds, which are mostly caused by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses.

The main bioactive compounds in green tea are catechins, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Laboratory studies have shown that EGCG can inhibit the replication of several viruses, including influenza and some common cold viruses, by interfering with viral entry into host cells and disrupting viral membrane integrity. Additionally, green tea catechins exhibit immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects that may help reduce symptoms and severity of viral infections.

Some small clinical trials and observational studies have suggested that regular consumption of green tea or green tea extracts may reduce the risk of contracting the flu and possibly other upper respiratory tract infections. For example, a randomized controlled trial published in 2011 found that catechin/theanine supplementation reduced the incidence of influenza among healthcare workers. However, high-quality human studies specifically targeting the common cold are limited, and the observed effects tend to be modest.

In summary, while there is a plausible scientific basis and some preliminary evidence for green tea’s antiviral effects relevant to cold viruses, the overall clinical evidence is limited and not robust. Thus, green tea may offer some benefit, but it should not be relied upon as a primary or sole treatment for colds.

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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
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Morinda
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nut grass
Nymphaea nouchali
oregano
oriental arborvitae
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Osmanthus
Oxystelma
papaya
Paris polyphylla
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pau d'arco
perilla
Petiveria
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phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
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pineapple
Piper nigrum
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pomegranate
Propolis
quercetin
ravinsara
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
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saponins
schizonepeta
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shiitake mushroom
Shikimic Acid
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Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Sophora
soursop
spirulina
Tagetes
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Tea
Terpenoids
Theaflavin
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymus
Trametes
Triterpenes
turmeric
Verbascoside
Viola
Violet
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin C
vitamin D
Wasabi
Waterhyssop
White Tea
xanthium (cockleburs)
Xanthorrhizol
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingiberene

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

Products containing green tea

Health Concerns

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

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)

Other health conditions supported by green tea

Products containing green tea

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: Green teaFor the health condition: Colds (antiviral)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)

Other health conditions supported by green tea

Products containing green tea

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