Evidence supporting the use of: Litsea
For the health condition: Colds (antiviral)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Litsea, particularly Litsea cubeba (commonly known as May Chang), has been used in traditional medicine systems in parts of Asia for centuries. In traditional Chinese medicine, Litsea is valued for its purported ability to dispel "wind-cold" and relieve symptoms associated with respiratory illnesses, including colds. The fruits and essential oil have been used in folk remedies as treatments for coughs, headaches, and congestion.
While there is some in vitro evidence suggesting that extracts or essential oil of Litsea may have mild antiviral or antimicrobial properties, these studies are limited and do not directly confirm effectiveness against cold viruses in humans. No high-quality clinical trials have demonstrated that Litsea is effective for treating or preventing the common cold. The majority of its use for colds is therefore rooted in traditional practices and anecdotal reports rather than robust scientific validation.
In summary, Litsea’s use for colds is largely traditional, with limited scientific data to support direct antiviral benefits in humans. More rigorous clinical studies are necessary to substantiate any potential efficacy.
Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)
AcacetinAgastache
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
Monolaurin
Monoterpenes
Morinda
Morus
Mugwort
Mushroom
Naphthoquinones
Neem tree
Neoandrographolides
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
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 Litsea
Abdominal PainAcne
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Canker Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cuts
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Emotional Sensitivity
Eye Infections
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Herpes
Hypertension
