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Specific formulation of Camellia sinensis prevents cold and flu symptoms: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Author(s) -
Bukowski Jack Francis,
Nantz M P,
Rowe C A,
Azeredo A,
Percival S S
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a46-a
Subject(s) - placebo , medicine , camellia sinensis , common cold , incidence (geometry) , randomized controlled trial , clinical trial , physical therapy , immunology , alternative medicine , biology , botany , pathology , physics , optics
We conducted a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study to determine if a specific formulation of Camellia sinensis (CSF) can prevent cold and flu symptoms. Healthy adults, 18–70 years old, were given a proprietary formulation of Camellia sinensis capsules, or a placebo, twice a day, for 3 months. As assessed by daily symptom logs, we assessed the percentage of subjects experiencing cold and flu symptoms, the average number of days subjects experienced symptoms, and the percentage of subjects seeking medical treatment. Thirty‐six of 55 (65.5%) placebo subjects, but only 25 of 56 (44.6%) subjects taking CSF had at least one symptom during the study. Thus, 31.9% fewer subjects taking CSF experienced cold and flu symptoms as compared to subjects taking the placebo (P=0.029). There were trends towards fewer symptom days, smaller incidence of eight individual cold and flu symptoms, and less requirement for medical treatment in subjects taking CSF. In summary, this proprietary formulation of CSF is a safe and effective dietary supplement for preventing cold and flu symptoms. Funded in part by UF/IFAS Agriculture Experiment Station, Nature Trade Center, Inc., and Taiyo International, Inc.