Evidence supporting the use of: Herbal Blend
For the health condition: Colds (decongestant)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Herbal blends have been traditionally used across various cultures as remedies to alleviate symptoms of the common cold, including nasal congestion. Many such blends include ingredients like eucalyptus, peppermint, ginger, licorice root, or elderberry, each of which has a long-standing history in folk and herbal medicine for their purported decongestant properties. For example, menthol from peppermint is commonly used in vapor rubs and teas for its cooling sensation and the subjective feeling of improved airflow, although robust clinical evidence is limited. Similarly, eucalyptus oil has a tradition of use in steam inhalations to relieve congestion, but studies supporting its effectiveness are generally small and of low quality. Most clinical research on herbal blends for cold symptoms is either lacking or shows inconclusive results due to methodological limitations and variability in herbal preparation. Overall, while there is substantial traditional support for the use of herbal blends as decongestants during colds, high-quality scientific validation is limited, and evidence is generally rated low to moderate. Users should also be aware of possible allergic reactions and interactions with other medications when using these products.
Other ingredients used for Colds (decongestant)
allspicewaterhyssop
basil
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
radish
capsaicinoids
chen pi
citrus oil
clove
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
greek mountain tea
green tea
horseradish
honeysuckle
lemon
licorice root
mint
mustard seed
oregano
peppermint oil
pineapple
pomegranate
quercetin
rhizome
rosemary
schizonepeta
spearmint leaf
thyme
vitamin C
wasabia japonica
water
zinc
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
mugwort
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
boxthorne
lemongrass
yerba santa
chrysanthemum
sweet flag
eucalyptus
menthol oil
abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
Alcohol
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Asarum heterotropoides
Andrographis
Asteracea
allyl isothiocyanate
Allium tuberosum
Arani
Atractylone
Baphicacanthus cusia
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Black galingale
Bitter Grass
berry
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
Borneol
Coconut
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cajuput
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Dragonhead
Ephedra
English Horsemint
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
Mustard
salt
Sandalwood
Sweet Orange alcohol
Other health conditions supported by Herbal Blend
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Addictions (general remedies for)
Allergies (respiratory)
Anemia
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Constipation (adults)
Cough (damp)