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Herbs for Colds, Flu and Cough: What Research Shows

What NIH, Cochrane and other reviews say about echinacea, elderberry, pelargonium, andrographis and honey for colds, flu and cough, plus when a clinician should see you first.

Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.

Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.

See a clinician first in these cases. The NHS lists these reasons to get medical advice for a cold or flu: a high temperature for more than 3 days, shortness of breath or chest pain, symptoms that get worse or do not improve, worry about a child's symptoms, a long-term condition such as diabetes or a heart, lung or kidney condition, or a weakened immune system. [1] [2] For flu, it also lists being pregnant or having recently given birth, and being 65 or over. [2] For a cough, it lists a very bad cough that quickly gets worse, chest pain, trouble breathing and coughing up blood. [3] In the US, call 911 for severe trouble breathing.

Infants. The NHS says not to give honey to children under 12 months old. [1] Ask a pediatric clinician before giving any herb to a baby or child. See Herbs for Children and Teens: What Sources Say.

Quick answer
The sources we read describe colds and coughs as mostly viral and self-limiting, and describe herbal evidence as mixed to weak. The NHS says there is little evidence that supplements such as vitamin C, echinacea or garlic prevent colds or help people get better more quickly. [1] Honey (for children aged 12 months and over) and a few specific herbal extracts have some trial support for cough or symptom relief, in studies that reviewers often rated low quality. For care at home, see Colds, Flu and Respiratory Infections: Prevention and Recovery and Cough and Sore Throat Remedies: Honey, Teas and Lozenges.

How the sources describe colds, flu and cough

The NHS says colds are caused by viruses, that antibiotics will not relieve cold symptoms or speed recovery, and that flu symptoms tend to be more severe and come on within a few hours. [1] Most coughs are caused by a cold or flu, and a cough will usually clear up on its own within 3 to 4 weeks. [3] Allergies such as hay fever can also cause cough. [3]

What research found

Herb or foodWhat the source foundEvidence labelForm and population
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench and related species) [4]NIH says it may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold and it is unclear whether it shortens one. [5] A 2014 Cochrane review of 24 trials (4,631 people) found no proven benefit for treating colds and a possible weak benefit for prevention. [6]MixedMany different preparations; adults and children
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L., berry) [7]NIH says some preliminary research suggests it may relieve symptoms of flu, colds or other upper respiratory infections. It also says there is no good evidence to support use for COVID-19. [8]Promising but limitedDietary supplements; small number of studies
Pelargonium (Pelargonium sidoides DC.) [9]A 2013 Cochrane review found it may help symptoms of acute rhinosinusitis, colds and bronchitis, but the evidence was low to very low quality and doubt remained. Adverse events were more common than with placebo but none were serious. [10] The NHS says it is suitable for people aged 12 or over and the evidence for herbal cough medicines is limited. [3]Promising but limitedA specific extract; adults and children
Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata (Burm.fil.) Nees) [11]A 2017 review of 33 trials (7,175 people) found improved cough and sore throat versus placebo. Study quality was overall poor, and most products had little manufacturing detail reported. [12]Promising but limitedCommercial products, alone or in herbal mixtures
Honey (a food)A 2018 Cochrane review of 6 trials (899 children aged 12 months and over) found honey probably relieves cough more than no treatment, placebo or diphenhydramine, with little or no difference from dextromethorphan, but no strong evidence for or against. [13]Promising but limitedChildren aged 12 months to 18 years, mostly one night of use
Garlic supplementsNIH says very little research exists on garlic for colds, and a 2022 review found only two small studies with possible benefit. [14]Insufficient evidenceSupplements

Thyme, ivy leaf, marshmallow root, mullein and ginger: not described in the sources we read for this page. See their profiles: Thyme, Ivy Leaf, Marshmallow Root, Mullein and Ginger.

Forms and why they matter

The Cochrane echinacea review noted that products sold under one name differ in species, plant parts, extraction methods and added ingredients, so one trial cannot stand in for another product. [6] NIH adds that echinacea activity may be influenced by soil conditions. [5] See Echinacea vs Elderberry, Herbal Syrups, Lozenges and Gummies and Herbal Tea for Sore Throat, Cough and Colds.

Related pages

Echinacea, Elderberry, Pelargonium sidoides, Andrographis, Herbs for Immune Support: Claims Checked, and Herbs by Wellness Goal.

Frequently asked questions

Does echinacea prevent or shorten a cold?

NIH says echinacea may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold, and that it is unclear whether it shortens one. [5] The 2014 Cochrane review did not show a benefit for treatment. [6]

Does elderberry work for the flu?

NIH says some preliminary research suggests elderberry may relieve flu and cold symptoms. It warns that raw or unripe berries and other parts of the plant contain poisonous substances. [8]

Is honey good for a cough?

A 2018 Cochrane review of children aged 12 months and over found honey probably eases cough more than no treatment or placebo, but called the evidence not strong either way. [13] The NHS says not to give honey to children under 12 months. [1]

Do antibiotics or herbs cure a cold?

The NHS says antibiotics will not relieve cold symptoms or speed recovery because colds are caused by viruses. [1] No herb in the sources we read is described as a cure.

When should I see a doctor about a cough or cold?

For example, if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood, a cough lasting more than 3 weeks, or a high temperature for more than 3 days, or if you are worried about a child. [3] [1]

More details: evidence, limits and cautions

The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.

Safety
  • Elderberry: NIH says raw or unripe berries and other parts of the elder tree, such as leaves and stem, contain poisonous cyanide-producing substances that can cause nausea, vomiting and severe diarrhea, and cooking eliminates the toxin. [8] Do not prepare elderberry at home from plant parts. See Plant and Mushroom Poisoning, and call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 if someone may have been poisoned.
  • Echinacea: some people have allergic reactions that may be severe, and children in one trial developed rashes. Conflicting evidence exists on interactions with medicines processed by the liver, and theoretical reasons exist for concern with immunosuppressants. Little is known about breastfeeding. [5] It belongs to the daisy family, so see Allergies, Asthma and Plant Product Cross-Reactions.
  • Pelargonium: a Berlin hospital study judged it a possible cause in one of 198 liver injury cases. [15] Ask about liver warning signs: Liver Safety and Supplements.
  • Pregnancy: the NHS says some medicines and herbal treatments are not safe for everyone, for example in pregnancy, and to check the leaflet or ask a pharmacist. [3]
  • Elderberry, andrographis and pelargonium products vary in quality. See Quality Testing and Certifications and How Interactions Work.
References
  1. NHS (UK). Common cold. Read 2026-10-23.
  2. NHS (UK). Flu. Read 2026-10-23.
  3. NHS (UK). Cough. Read 2026-10-23.
  4. GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy record for Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (species 3150935). api.gbif.org. Read 2026-10-23.
  5. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Echinacea. Read 2026-10-23.
  6. Karsch-Völk M et al. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Read 2026-10-23.
  7. GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy record for Sambucus nigra L. (species 2888728). api.gbif.org. Read 2026-10-23.
  8. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Elderberry. Read 2026-10-23.
  9. GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy record for Pelargonium sidoides DC. (species 3827581). api.gbif.org. Read 2026-10-23.
  10. Timmer A et al. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013. Pelargonium sidoides extract for treating acute respiratory tract infections. Read 2026-10-23.
  11. GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy record for Andrographis paniculata (Burm.fil.) Nees (species 3173178). api.gbif.org. Read 2026-10-23.
  12. Hu XY et al. PLoS ONE, 2017. Andrographis paniculata for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Read 2026-10-23.
  13. Oduwole O et al. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018. Honey for acute cough in children. Read 2026-10-23.
  14. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Garlic. Read 2026-10-23.
  15. Douros A et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2016. Herb-induced liver injury in the Berlin Case-Control Surveillance Study. Read 2026-10-23.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.