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

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Synopsis

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

Garlic (Allium sativum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for the prevention and treatment of colds and related respiratory ailments. This use is rooted in various cultures worldwide, including traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and European folk practices, where garlic has been valued for its purported antimicrobial, immune-boosting, and warming properties. The belief is that garlic can help ward off illness and speed recovery due to its pungent compounds, particularly allicin, which is released when garlic is crushed or chopped.

However, scientific evidence supporting garlic’s efficacy in the prevention or treatment of the common cold is limited and not robust. A few small randomized controlled trials have suggested that garlic supplementation may reduce the frequency of colds in adults, but these studies are often limited by small sample sizes and methodological weaknesses. A notable Cochrane review from 2014 concluded that "there is insufficient clinical trial evidence regarding the effects of garlic in preventing or treating the common cold." While laboratory studies do show garlic has antimicrobial activity and immune-modulating effects, translation of these findings to real-world cold prevention remains uncertain.

In summary, garlic’s use for cold prevention is primarily justified by tradition, with some preliminary but low-quality scientific evidence suggesting possible benefit. Overall, more rigorous clinical trials are needed to establish its effectiveness for this indication.

More about Garlic
More about Colds (prevention)

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green chiretta
anthocyanins
arabinogalactan
astragalus
waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
berry flavor
beta-pinene
Beta-Glucan
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black tea
blackberry
bасора
camu camu
capsaicinoids
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
chlorella
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut milk
colostrum
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
lactobacillus brevis
lemon
licorice root
lovage
marshmallow
moringa
mustard seed
nettle
spruce
orange
oregano
oregon grape
pear
phenolic compounds
pineapple
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
pumpkin
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
vitamin D
seaweed
yeast
zinc
sarsaparilla
squawvine
tangerine
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
peony
buckthorn
lemongrass
yerba santa
chrysanthemum
siler root
flowering quince
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
goji berry
paw paw
Algae
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
Aralia
Avens
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Ardisia
Acacia
Allicin
Abrus
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Ajuga
Andrographolide
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
Allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
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Fruit
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Goldthread
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Wulinshen
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Products containing Garlic

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