Evidence supporting the use of: Aloe vera
For the health condition: Colds (prevention)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Aloe vera has a long history of traditional use for various health conditions, primarily related to skin ailments, burns, and digestive issues. In some traditional medicine systems, aloe vera juice or gel has been used to support the immune system and maintain general health, which has led to its inclusion in some folk remedies for cold prevention. However, there is very limited direct historical evidence specifically linking aloe vera to the prevention or treatment of the common cold. The rationale for its traditional use is mostly based on the belief that aloe vera possesses general immune-boosting properties due to its content of polysaccharides, vitamins, and antioxidants. These components are thought to help the body resist infections. However, traditional texts and remedies rarely cite aloe vera as a primary agent for colds; instead, it is more commonly discussed as a supporting ingredient for overall wellness. From a scientific perspective, there is currently insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of aloe vera in preventing or treating the common cold. Most studies focus on topical uses or digestive benefits, and few have rigorously examined its impact on respiratory viruses. Therefore, while there is some traditional precedent for its use in supporting immunity, the evidence is weak, and it should not be relied upon as a primary preventive measure for colds.

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Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)

Abrus
Acacia
Agastache
Ajuga
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
Amor seco
Andrographis
andrographolide
anthocyanins
apple cider vinegar
arabinogalactan
Aralia
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
aster root
Asteraceae
astragalus
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
bamboo
Baphicacanthus cusia
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
bermuda grass
berry
beta-glucan
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bioflavonoids
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black nightshade
black pepper
black salt
black seed
black tea
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Blepharis
borneol
buckthorn
bасора
Camellia sinensis
camu camu
capillary artemisia
capsaicin
capsaicinoids
caterpillar mushroom
cayenne pepper
Celosia
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chinese silkvine
chlorella
Chlorophytum
chrysanthemum
cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut
coconut milk
colostrum
coriander
costus
cowherb
Curcuminoid
currant
curry leaf
Dianthus
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
dragonhead
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
European Elder
European five-finger grass
ferula assafoetida
flavoglycosides
flavonoids
flowering quince
forsythia
fruit
fungus
galactooligosaccharides
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
garlic
garlic bulb
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
Gnaphalium
goji berry
goldthread
grape
Greek mountain tea
green chiretta
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
heal-all
Hedyotis
Herb Robert
honey
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
Horsemint
hyacinth bean
Ilex
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
iridoids
Isatis
Kokilaksha
labrador tea
Lactobacillus brevis
Laggera pterodonta
Lebbek
lemon
lemongrass
licorice root
Ligusticum
Ligustrum
lime
Litsea
lodhtree
Lomatium
lovage
luffa
mace
mandarin
marigold
Marshmallow
Meadow sage
Melia
Menthol oil
Monoterpenes
Moringa
Mountain Pepper
Mugwort
Mushroom
Mustard
mustard seed
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Nettle
nut grass
onion
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
orange
oregano
oregon grape
Oroxylum indicum
Oxystelma
papaya
Paris polyphylla
paw paw
pear
Pelargonium
peony
Pepper
Petiveria
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
Physalis angulata
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
Prunus
pumpkin
Pyrrosia
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rhizome
Rooibos
rose hips
rosemary
Rubiaceae
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
saponins
sarsaparilla
Scabrous Gentian
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
seaweed
Sesbania
Sesquiterpenes
Sete sangrias
Shogaol
Sichuan Lovage
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sicklepod
siler root
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Southern Tsangshu
Sphaeranthus indicus
spruce
squawvine
Sumac
Sweet Annie
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Tea
Terpenoids
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymus
Tremella
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Umckaloabo
vegetable blend (proprietary)
Vervain
Viola
vitamin C
vitamin D
Water Pepper
Waterhyssop
White Tea
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yeast
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene

Other health conditions supported by Aloe vera

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Age Spots
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Arthritis
Athlete's Foot
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Blisters
Boils
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Convalescence
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cysts
Dandruff
Denture Sores
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diaper Rash
Digestion (poor)
Duodenal Ulcers
Dysentery
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Enteritis
Fever
Foot Odor
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Halitosis
Hemorrhoids
Herpes
Hiatal Hernia
Indigestion
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Injuries
Interstitial Cystitis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Itching Ears
Jaundice (adults)
Jock Itch
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Liver Detoxification
Menopause
Oral Surgery
Overacidity
Poison Ivy or Oak
Psoriasis
Rashes and Hives
Rosacea
Scabies
Scars / Scar Tissue
Scratches and Abrasions
Seborrhea
Shingles
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin (oily)
Skin Care (general)
Slivers
Sore or Geographic Tongue
Sore Throat
Staph Infections
Stretch Marks
Stye
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Thrush
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Extraction
Toothache
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Urethritis
Urinary Tract Infections
Urination (burning or painful)
Urine (scant)
Vaginal Dryness
Vaginitis
Warts
Wounds and Sores
Wrinkles