Goal guide · Supplement
Supplements for colds & flu
6 compounds relevant to colds & flu, ranked by overall evidence grade.
- Overall grade
- Grade B
- Last revised
- 6
- graded outcomes
- 0
- references listed
Assembled by the app from other entries in this library. It adds no evidence of its own — follow the links to the entries it draws on.
3 at grade B · 3 at grade C — 6 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- ZincEvidence grade B
An immune and hormone cofactor that shortens colds when dosed right — and drains copper when overdone.
Unclearmixed
- AndrographisEvidence grade B
One of the better-evidenced herbs for shortening upper-respiratory infections.
Unclearmixed
- Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo)Evidence grade B
A South African geranium root (EPs 7630) with solid evidence for shortening acute bronchitis and colds.
Unclearmixed
- ElderberryEvidence grade C
A popular cold-and-flu berry with small, industry-tinged trials suggesting shorter symptoms — real but overstated.
Unclearmixed
- EchinaceaEvidence grade C
The classic cold herb — meta-analyses hover near null, with maybe a small prevention/duration effect for some preparations.
Unclearmixed
- American GinsengEvidence grade C
Distinct from Asian ginseng — its best data are for glucose control and reducing cold frequency.
Unclearmixed
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Elderberry (grade C); Echinacea (grade C); American Ginseng (grade C).
- Studies disagree: Zinc (mixed agreement); Andrographis (mixed agreement); Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) (mixed agreement).
The evidence in words
The shortlist
Every compound in the knowledge base tagged to colds & flu, ordered by how strong its overall evidence is. Start at the top; the grade is the honest filter.
Worth considering first
Zinc (B) — An immune and hormone cofactor that shortens colds when dosed right — and drains copper when overdone. · Andrographis (B) — One of the better-evidenced herbs for shortening upper-respiratory infections. · Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) (B) — A South African geranium root (EPs 7630) with solid evidence for shortening acute bronchitis and colds.
Lower-evidence options
Elderberry (C) — A popular cold-and-flu berry with small, industry-tinged trials suggesting shorter symptoms — real but overstated. · Echinacea (C) — The classic cold herb — meta-analyses hover near null, with maybe a small prevention/duration effect for some preparations. · American Ginseng (C) — Distinct from Asian ginseng — its best data are for glucose control and reducing cold frequency.
Goes with
- ZincGrade BEvidence grade B
- AndrographisGrade BEvidence grade B
- Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo)Grade BEvidence grade B
- ElderberryGrade CEvidence grade C
- EchinaceaGrade CEvidence grade C
- American GinsengGrade CEvidence grade C
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- American Ginseng for Cold incidence/durationEvidence grade C — Specific extractEvidence grade C
- American Ginseng for Post-meal glucoseEvidence grade C — ModestEvidence grade C
- American Ginseng: dosage and how to take itStandardized extract per goal.Evidence grade C
- American Ginseng: side effects, safety & interactionsGenerally safe; additive glucose lowering; may reduce warfarin effect.Evidence grade C
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own — it is assembled from the entries it links to, whose sources are on their pages.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.