Evidence supporting the use of: Tea Polyphenol
For the health condition: Colds (antiviral)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Tea polyphenols, particularly catechins such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), have been studied for their potential antiviral activity, including effects relevant to the common cold. In vitro studies demonstrate that tea polyphenols can inhibit the replication of several viruses, including influenza viruses and some coronaviruses, by interfering with viral entry, replication, or assembly. For example, EGCG has shown the ability to bind to viral proteins and disrupt their function. Additionally, polyphenols possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may contribute to immune support. However, while these laboratory findings are promising, clinical evidence in humans is limited and results are mixed. Some small-scale studies suggest that regular consumption of green tea or its extracts may reduce the incidence or duration of upper respiratory tract infections, but these studies often have methodological limitations and confounding factors. There is a lack of large, high-quality randomized controlled trials directly assessing the efficacy of tea polyphenols for the prevention or treatment of the common cold. Therefore, while there is a scientific rationale and some preliminary evidence, the overall strength of evidence supporting the use of tea polyphenols specifically for colds is currently weak to moderate, justifying a rating of 2 out of 5.
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 Tea Polyphenol
AcneAlzheimer's Disease
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Heart (weakness)
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Influenza
Irritable Bowel Syndrome