Evidence supporting the use of: Rosemary
For the health condition: Colds (antiviral)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for a variety of ailments, including respiratory tract infections such as colds. This use is primarily based on folk remedies in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures, where rosemary has been infused into teas or used in steam inhalations. The traditional rationale is often tied to its aromatic properties and anecdotal observations of symptom relief.
From a scientific perspective, laboratory studies have identified certain compounds in rosemary—such as rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, and essential oils (including 1,8-cineole)—that possess antimicrobial and antiviral activity in vitro. Some research has shown that these constituents can inhibit the replication of certain viruses or modulate immune responses. However, clinical trials specifically evaluating rosemary’s effectiveness for preventing or treating the common cold in humans are lacking.
Overall, while there is some preliminary scientific basis for the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of rosemary, its use for colds is predominantly justified by traditional practice, with limited and indirect scientific evidence. For this reason, the evidence rating is 2: some laboratory support, but insufficient clinical validation for this specific application.
Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)
AllspiceAloe 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 compounds
pineapple
pomegranate
quercetin
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
schizonepeta
shiitake mushroom
spirulina
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
Wasabi
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
Acacetin
Aureobasidium pullulans
Andrographis
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
Allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
atractylone
bee propolis
black seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
balsam
bishop\'s weed
black galingale
bitter grass
bee hive
Basidiomycota
berry
bee products
black nightshade
Bombax
baicalin
Bassia scoparia
borneol
caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
coconut
curry leaf
Chinese mountain ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coriolus mushroom
carrageenan
carvacrol
capillary artemisia
citron
Citrus
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Cistus
common madia
cinnamaldehyde
costus
Celosia
Chondrus
deoxyandrographolides
David\'s milkberry
European Elder
Echinacea
Elder
essential oil blend
fruit
flavonoids
fungus
flavonones
flavones
goldthread
glyceryl monolaurate
gamma-terpinene
garlic
Gallesia
gallotannin
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Galangal
Glycyrrhizin
honey
Hedyotis
Houttuynia
honey loquat syrup
Himalaya berry
Isatis
Indian kinotree
Litsea
Lomatium
lichen
Laggera pterodonta
ligustilides
luffa
Ligustrum
labrador tea
liverwort
Ligusticum
Mineral ascorbate
Melia
Monoterpenes
mangostin
Mushroom
Neoandrographolides
Naphthoquinones
Nymphaea nouchali
Osha
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
Propolis
Phellodendron
Phyllanthus
Phenylpropanoids
Phaeophyceae
Paris polyphylla
Piper nigrum
Patrinia
Polygonum
Petiveria
ravinsara
Sophora
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Salvia
Solanum indicum
Sambucus nigra
Shogaol
Sandalwood
saponins
Shikimic Acid
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Triterpenes
Tayuya
Theaflavin
Trametes
Tagetes
Thiosulfinate
Visnea Mocanera
Violet
Verbascoside
Viola
White Tea
Xanthorrhizol
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by rosemary
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Body Odor
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chest Pain
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cuts
Depression
Dermatitis
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Ear Infection or Earache
Emotional Sensitivity
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Fever
Fungal Infections
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Kaprex
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Kaprex® (loading dose)
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Meta I 3 C®
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MetaKids Vitamin D3 Liquid
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Migranol™
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OmegaGenics EPA DHA 2400 Fish Oil
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OmegaGenics EPA-DHA 300 Lemon Lime
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OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
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OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
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OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
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PhytoMulti™ Multivitamin
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PhytoMulti With Iron
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PhytoMulti Without Iron
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PhytoMultivitamin
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Ultra Calm® Bar Chocolate Coconut
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UltraInflamX Plus 360°® Chocolate/Orange
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UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
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UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
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UltraInflamX Plus 360° Orange
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UltraInflamX Plus 360° Original Spice
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UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
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UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
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Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
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Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
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Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
