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

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Synopsis

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

Phenolics, a broad class of plant-derived compounds including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and tannins, have long been present in traditional remedies for the prevention and treatment of colds. Many herbal teas and traditional medicines use phenolic-rich plants (such as elderberry, echinacea, and green tea) with the belief that they help bolster the immune system and ward off respiratory infections like the common cold. The rationale in traditional use is often tied to the observation that people who consume diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and certain herbs seem less susceptible to infections, possibly due to overall better health and immune function.

Scientific studies suggest that some phenolics possess antioxidant and mild antiviral properties, and can modulate immune responses in vitro and in animal models. However, direct clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of phenolics as a class for cold prevention in humans remains limited and inconsistent. Most clinical trials focus on specific extracts or compounds (such as quercetin or catechins) rather than the general category of phenolics. While some studies suggest a reduced incidence or severity of colds with certain phenolic-rich supplements, results are often modest and not universally replicated.

Overall, the use of phenolics for cold prevention is rooted mainly in tradition, with only limited scientific support for specific compounds or extracts. The evidence level is moderate for certain phenolics, but as a broad class, the scientific validation is not strong.

More about phenolics (various)
More about Colds (prevention)

Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)

Allspice
Aloe vera
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
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
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
Allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
atractylone
black seed
bermuda grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
blackthorn
Blepharis
balsam
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
black galingale
bitter grass
bael
berry
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bioflavonoids
black salt
bee products
black nightshade
Bassia scoparia
borneol
Camellia sinensis
coconut
Chinese silkvine
curry leaf
Cinnamomum
coriander
capillary artemisia
citron
Curcuminoid
Citrus
capsaicin
Chinese raisintree
Chlorophytum
cowherb
Cistus
cinnamaldehyde
costus
Celosia
currant
Dianthus
dragonhead
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
European Elder
Echinacea
Elder
essential oil blend
European five-finger grass
fruit
flavonoids
fungus
flavoglycosides
goldthread
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
garlic
Gallesia
Glechoma hederacea
galactooligosaccharides
honey
heal-all
Hedyotis
honey loquat syrup
Herb Robert
Horsemint
iridoids
Isatis
Ilex
Kokilaksha
lime
Lebbek
Litsea
Lomatium
Laggera pterodonta
luffa
Ligustrum
lodhtree
labrador tea
Ligusticum
mandarin
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Melia
Monoterpenes
mace
Meadow sage
marigold
Mushroom
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxystelma
Phenylpropanoids
Prunus
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Pelargonium
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Physalis angulata
Petiveria
Rubiaceae
Rooibos
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sambucus nigra
Sagebrush
Shogaol
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
saponins
Sumac
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tulbaghia
Thiosulfinate
Tremella
Umckaloabo
Vervain
Viola
White Tea
Water Pepper
Wulinshen
Winter Savory
Yerba buena
Zingiberene
Zingerone

Products containing phenolics (various)

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.