Evidence supporting the use of: Coconut oil
For the health condition: Influenza
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Coconut oil has been traditionally used in some cultures as a remedy for respiratory illnesses, including influenza, due to its perceived antimicrobial and immune-supporting properties. The traditional use stems primarily from observations in tropical regions where coconut is a dietary staple and is believed to have health-promoting effects. The scientific evidence supporting the use of coconut oil specifically for the treatment or prevention of influenza in humans is minimal. Some in vitro studies have shown that lauric acid and monolaurin—compounds found in coconut oil—can disrupt the lipid membranes of certain viruses, including influenza, under laboratory conditions. However, these findings have not translated into well-controlled clinical trials demonstrating efficacy in treating influenza infection in humans. The majority of the claims regarding coconut oil’s antiviral properties are extrapolated from its general antimicrobial activity, not from direct evidence against the influenza virus in the human body. Therefore, while coconut oil is sometimes used traditionally to support health during influenza, robust scientific validation is lacking, and it should not be considered a replacement for evidence-based medical treatments.
Other ingredients used for Influenza
Abies spectabilisAcacia
Adenophora
Agarikon Mushroom
Agastache
Agrimony
AHCC
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
alpinia galangal
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
Anamarrhena
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
anemarrhena asphodeloides
apple cider vinegar
Asarum sieboldii
astragaloside
astragalus
avens
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
balloon flower
balsam
Basidiomycota
bee propolis
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black garlic
Black Hellebore
black pepper
black seed
boneset
borage
Bryonia
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
camu camu
carvacrol
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
Centipeda
Chaenomeles lagenaria
chaga mushroom
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cineole
Cistus
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut oil
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
coriolus mushroom
currant
dog rose
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
elk antler
Embelia
Ephedra
eucalyptus
Euphorbia
European Elder
fat liver oil
flavanones
flavones
flowering quince
frankincense
Gallesia
ganoderma
ginger
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhizin
goldenseal
gooseberry
Greek mountain tea
green chiretta
green tea
Guaco
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
Houttuynia
Hyperoside
Immunoglobulin G
Indian frankincense
iridoids
L-cysteine
labrador tea
Lactobacillus casei
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Ledebouriella
Lentinula edodes mycelia
lichen
licorice root
little ironweed
liverwort
Lomatium
Lycium
Lycopodium
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Monolaurin
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Neoandrographolides
Nettle
Onosma bracteatum
Osthole
Pelargonium
Pentatropis capensis
Platycodon
Polygonatum
Polygonum
Premna
quercetin
ravinsara
reishi mushroom
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
selenium
Shikimic Acid
spirulina
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sundew
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweet wormwood
Tremella
turmeric
Umckaloabo
Vasicine
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin C
vitamin D
Xanthophyll
Yerba santa
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by coconut oil
Antibiotics (alternatives to)Athlete's Foot
Backache
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (prevention)
Colds (general)
Constipation (adults)
Cuts
Dandruff
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Energy (lack of)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fungal Infections
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hemorrhoids
Herpes
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Influenza
Itching
