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

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Synopsis

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

Tea, particularly mixed herbal teas, has been traditionally used across many cultures as a remedy to support the body during colds. The use is largely based on historical and anecdotal evidence rather than robust scientific validation. Common ingredients in mixed teas for colds include herbs such as ginger, chamomile, peppermint, elderflower, and echinacea, each with a history of folk use for soothing symptoms like sore throat, congestion, or cough. Black and green teas, which contain polyphenols and catechins, have also been consumed for their purported immune-supporting properties.

Some laboratory studies suggest that certain tea compounds (like catechins in green tea) have mild antiviral effects in vitro, but clinical evidence in humans is limited and inconsistent. The primary benefit of mixed teas for colds is likely due to the soothing effect of warm fluids, temporary relief of symptoms, and hydration rather than direct antiviral action. Thus, while tea is a comforting traditional remedy, the scientific evidence supporting its use specifically as an antiviral treatment for colds remains modest.

More about Tea
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 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

Products containing Tea

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