Evidence supporting the use of: Sweet Bay
For the health condition: Influenza

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Synopsis

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

Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis), also known as bay laurel, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, including for respiratory ailments such as influenza (“the flu”). Traditionally, bay leaves have been used in various cultures for their purported antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Folk remedies have included infusions, teas, or steam inhalations of bay leaves for symptoms such as congestion, cough, and fever—symptoms commonly associated with influenza.

However, modern scientific evidence supporting the use of Sweet Bay specifically for influenza is sparse. Some laboratory studies have indicated that extracts of bay laurel possess mild antibacterial and antifungal activities, potentially due to compounds like eugenol and cineole, but there is minimal direct evidence for antiviral activity against influenza viruses. No clinical trials or robust pharmacological studies have confirmed its efficacy in preventing or treating influenza in humans.

Overall, while Sweet Bay has a traditional reputation for supporting respiratory health, this use is not strongly substantiated by scientific research, and its effectiveness against influenza remains unproven. It should not be relied upon as a sole or primary treatment for influenza, especially given the availability of more effective, evidence-based therapies.

More about Sweet Bay
More about Influenza

Other ingredients used for Influenza

green chiretta
astragalus
myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black garlic
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
camu camu
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
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cordyceps
turmeric
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
glehnia root
goldenseal
gooseberry
greek mountain tea
green tea
honeysuckle
L-cysteine
lactobacillus casei
lactoferrin
lactoperoxidase
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
monolaurin
nettle
quercetin
reishi mushroom
selenium
spirulina
sweet wormwood
vitamin C
vitamin D
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
boneset
tangerine
alpinia galangal
myrrh
yerba santa
chrysanthemum
flowering quince
ganoderma
anemarrhena asphodeloides
eucalyptus
Abies spectabilis
Algae
Avens
Agarikon Mushroom
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Acacia
Agrimony
Allicin
Anamu
AHCC
Andrographolide
American Liverleaf
Astragaloside
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Adenophora
Alliin
Asarum sieboldii
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Bryonia
Balsam
Basidiomycota
Borage
Bupleurum
Baicalin
Black Hellebore
Balloon Flower
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut oil
Coriolus mushroom
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Carvacrol
Cineole
Centipeda
Cistus
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Currant
Chondrus
Ephedra
European Elder
Elk antler
Echinacea
Elder
Euphorbia
Embelia
Fat liver oil
Flavanones
Frankincense
Flavones
Glehnia littoralis
Guaco
Gallesia
Glycyrrhizin
Hyperoside
Houttuynia
Honey loquat syrup
Immunoglobulin G
iridoids
Lycium
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Lomatium
Lichen
Lycopodium
Labrador Tea
Little ironweed
Liverwort
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Neoandrographolides
Onosma bracteatum
Osthole
Premna
Platycodon
Pelargonium
Pentatropis capensis
Polygonatum
Polygonum
Ravinsara
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sulfated polysaccharide
Shikimic Acid
Sweet Bay
Sundew
Tremella
Umckaloabo
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Products containing Sweet Bay

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