Evidence supporting the use of: Green tea
For the health condition: Colds (general)

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Synopsis

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

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for various ailments, including colds and other respiratory infections. The primary interest in green tea for cold support stems from its high content of catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which have demonstrated antiviral, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory properties in laboratory studies. Some in vitro studies suggest that green tea catechins can inhibit the replication of common cold viruses, such as influenza and some coronaviruses. Additionally, green tea’s antioxidant and mild anti-inflammatory effects may help modulate immune responses and reduce symptoms.

Clinical evidence in humans, however, is limited and not definitive. A few small randomized controlled trials have found that regular green tea consumption or catechin supplementation may slightly reduce the incidence or duration of upper respiratory tract infections, but the results are inconsistent and not robust enough to recommend green tea as a primary treatment for colds. Most guidelines still regard green tea as a supportive measure, potentially contributing to hydration and symptom relief rather than providing a cure. Overall, while laboratory and preliminary clinical data provide scientific rationale for green tea’s use in supporting the body during a cold, the evidence is moderate at best, and further well-designed human studies are needed to confirm its efficacy.

More about green tea
More about Colds (general)

Other ingredients used for Colds (general)

3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Abies spectabilis
Abrus
Acacia
Aconite
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Ajuga
Alcohol
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
Amor seco
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
Angelica
anthocyanins
apple
apple cider vinegar
arabinogalactan
Aralia
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
ash
aster root
Asteraceae
astragalus
atractylodes
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
bamboo
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
Barleria
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee hive
bee pollen
bee products
bee propolis
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bermuda grass
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bioflavonoids
birch
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
bitter principals
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black garlic
black nightshade
black pepper
black salt
black seed
black tea
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Blepharis
blueberry
Boerhavia diffusa
Bombax
boneset
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
Bougainvillea
boxthorne
Broussonetia
buckthorn
Buddha\'s hand
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
bur-reed
burdock
Butea monosperma
bасора
cajuput
calamus
Camellia sinensis
capillary artemisia
capsaicin
capsaicinoids
capsicum
cardamom
carrot
Carthamus
carvacrol
cassia bark
caterpillar mushroom
cayenne pepper
Celosia
chamomile
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese raisintree
Chinese silkvine
chive
Chlorophytum
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
chrysophanics
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clerodendrum trichotomum
cloudberry
clove
coconut
coconut milk
coconut oil
Coin-leaf desmodium
cola nut
colostrum
commiphora
common madia
coriander
costus
cowherb
cowslip
culvers Root
cumin
Curcuma
curcumen
Curcuminoid
currant
curry leaf
David\'s milkberry
deoxyandrographolides
Desmodium
Dianthus
dodder
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
dodeca-2E, 4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide
dog rose
dragonhead
dulse leaf
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Eclipta
Elder
elderberry
Embelia
English horsemint
Ephedra
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European Elder
European five-finger grass
Evodia
fang-feng
fat liver oil
ferula assafoetida
Ficus simplicissima
flat-stem milk-vetch
flavonones
flowering quince
forsythia
frankincense
fruit
fulvic acid
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic
garlic bulb
giant blazingstar
Gigartina
ginger
ginseng
Glechoma hederacea
Glycyrrhizin
Gnaphalium
goldthread
gooseberry
grape
Greek mountain tea
green chiretta
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
heal-all
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
hemp
Herb Robert
honey
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
hyacinth bean
Hygrophila
hyssop
Ilex
Indian bael
Indian fagonia
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
iridoid glycosides
iridoids
Isatis
joe-pye
jujube
jungli-bean
Kokilaksha
kuding tea
Kukicha
L-cysteine
labrador tea
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Laggera pterodonta
Lebbek
Ledebouriella
lemon
lemongrass
lichen
licorice root
Ligusticum
Ligustrum
lime
limonene
linalool
Litsea
little ironweed
liverwort
lodhtree
Lomatium
long pepper
loquat
lotus
lovage
luffa
lychee
lysozyme
mace
mallow
mandarin
manzanita
maple
marigold
Marjoram
Marsh Tea
Marshmallow
Mastic gum
Maytenus ilicifolia
Meadow sage
Meadowsweet
Melia
Menthol oil
Milk
Mineral ascorbate
Momordica
Monardella odoratissima
Monoterpenes
Morinda
Moringa
Mountain Pepper
Mugwort
Mushroom
Mustard
mustard seed
Myrcene
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Neem tree
Nettle
Nimbidin
nut grass
Nymphaea nouchali
onion
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
orange
oregano
oregon grape
Oroxylum indicum
Orris
Oryza sativa
Osha
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
pagoda tree
papaya
Paris polyphylla
Patrinia
paw paw
peach
pear
Pelargonium
peony
Pepper
perilla
Persimmon
Petiveria
Peucedanum
Phaeophyceae
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
Phosphate ascorbate
Phyllanthus
Physalis angulata
pineapple
Piper chaba
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
Pluchea
plum fruit
Polygonatum
Polygonum
pomegranate
Portulaca
Propolis
Prunus
pumpkin
purslane
Pyrrosia
quail egg
quercetin
Quillaja
radish
raspberry
ravinsara
reishi mushroom
rhizome
Rooibos
rose
rose hips
rosemary
Rubiaceae
Rubus
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
Sargassum
sarsaparilla
Sassafras
Scabrous Gentian
Schisandrins
schizonepeta
Scoparia dulcis
scrophularia root
Sesbania
Sesquiterpenes
Sete sangrias
Shark Liver Oil
Shogaol
Sichuan Lovage
Sichuan pepper
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sicklepod
siler root
Sinigrin
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Sophora
Southern Tsangshu
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spikenard
spirulina
spruce
squawvine
Sumac
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweet flag
Szechuan lovage
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Tea
Terminalia
Terpenoids
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymol
Thymus
Tinospora cordifolia
Tremella
Trichosanthes
Triterpenes
Tulbaghia
turmeric
typhonium
Umckaloabo
vegetable blend (proprietary)
Vervain
Viola
Violet
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
Wasabi
Water Pepper
Waterhyssop
Wax Gourd
White Tea
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yeast
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Yuzu
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by green tea

Abdominal Pain
Abscesses
Acne
Addictions (coffee, caffeine)
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (excessive)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Autoimmune Disorders
Belching
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (internal)
Blood in Urine
Bloodshot Eyes
Body Odor
Breast Lumps
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cellulite
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cholesterol (high)
Cholesterol (low)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (children)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Concentration (poor)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cramps (menstrual)
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Cytomealovirus
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Down Syndrome
Endometriosis
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glaucoma
Hair (loss or thinning)
Headache (general)
Hemochromatosis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Influenza
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Oral Surgery
Parkinson's Disease
Perspiration (excessive)
PMS (general)
Polyps
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Skin (oily)
Stress
Triglycerides (high)
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections
Wrinkles

Products containing green tea

Vitabase Active Man's Formula
Metagenics AdvaClear
Metagenics AdvaClear
Metagenics Akkermansia Co.™ Healthy Weight with Glucose Control
Pure Encapsulations Athletic Nutrients
Metagenics Berberine GT
Douglas Laboratories CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid)
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change Daily Essentials
Pure Encapsulations CurcumaSorb Mind
Designs For Health Detox Antiox™
Integrative Therapeutics Detoxication Factors
Integrative Therapeutics Detoxication Factors
Designs For Health Detoxification Support Packets
Douglas Laboratories DIM ® Enhanced
Douglas Laboratories DIM ® Enhanced
Designs For Health DopaBoost™
Pure Encapsulations DopaPlus
Metagenics Endefen® Powder
Designs For Health EndoTrim™
Metagenics EstroFactors®
Designs For Health FemGuard+Balance™
Thorne FiberMend
Vitabase Green Tea Extract
Pure Encapsulations Green Tea Extract Decaffeinated
Pure Encapsulations Green Tea Extract Decaffeinated
Thorne Green Tea Phytosome
Douglas Laboratories Hair Growth+
Metagenics Immune Active
Metagenics Immune Defense Pack
Designs For Health Immune Support Packets
Designs For Health Immunitone Plus™
Thorne L-Arginine Plus Perfusia Plus
Vitabase Life's Essentials Plus
Thorne MediClear Plus
Metagenics MetaGlycemX™
Metagenics MetaGlycemX
Thorne Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Thorne Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Thorne Ovarian Care
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™ Detox Program
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™Chocolate Detox Kit
Metagenics PhytoGanix® Tropical Fruit
Metagenics PhytoMulti™ Multivitamin
Metagenics PhytoMulti With Iron
Metagenics PhytoMulti Without Iron
Metagenics PhytoMultivitamin
Designs For Health Plant Protein Cleanse
Designs For Health Plant Protein Cleanse Plus™ 570g
Pure Encapsulations Polyphenol Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations Polyphenol Nutrients
Thorne PolyResveratrol-SR
Vitabase Prostate Complex (Formerly Prostate Complete)
Integrative Therapeutics ProThrivers Wellness Flav Complex
Pure Encapsulations SP Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations SP Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations Teavigo
Metagenics Testralin®
Metagenics Trancor®
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive® X
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Protein Green
Metagenics UltraClear Plus® Detox Powder
Metagenics UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Vanilla
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Chai
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Vanilla
Metagenics UltraMeal® Daily Support Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Daily Support Mixed Berry
Designs For Health Weight Loss Support Packets
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Active Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Men's Vitality Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
Pure Encapsulations Women's Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations XanthiTrim