November 2014 PMID 25386977

Garlic for the common cold.

Elizabeth Lissiman, Alice L Bhasale, Marc Cohen

Mentions

232
Peak: 6 in Mar 2020
across 6 sources since Sep 2019

Extended reach

213,738
potential audience

Total likes

1,143

Video views

101,222

Mentions per month

Sep 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News166 articles
  • X / Twitter23 posts
  • Blogs21 articles
  • Facebook17 posts
  • YouTube4 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Several discussions emphasize the limited and inconclusive evidence regarding garlic's role in preventing or treating colds, citing reviews like the 2014 Cochrane analysis with comments such as 'insufficient clinical trial evidence.' The tone varies from skepticism to mild curiosity, with some posts referencing specific studies on garlic's antiviral properties, suggesting an ongoing interest in research rather than definitive conclusions.

AgreementLow agreement

Most discussions highlight the lack of conclusive evidence supporting garlic's effectiveness, reflecting disagreement or skepticism about its benefits.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions consistently focus on scientific reviews, clinical trials, and research gaps, showing high interest in the subject.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some posts reference specific studies or question the need for further research, indicating a moderate level of active engagement.

ImpactNeutral impact

While users debate the validity of claims, the overall influence on health practices or policy remains minimal, leading to a neutral impact score.

Abstract in brief

  • Garlic is thought to possess antimicrobial and antiviral properties that could help prevent or treat the common cold, though rigorous research is limited.
  • A search of various medical databases identified eight relevant trials, but only one met the criteria for inclusion: it involved 146 participants comparing garlic supplements to a placebo over 12 weeks.
  • Results showed a significant reduction in the occurrence of colds in the garlic group (24 cases) compared to the placebo group (65 cases), but recovery times were similar between the two groups; overall, only one study limits the strength of the conclusions drawn.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
AllicinV ( 大蒜素-V ) - (TM)
@AllicinV · X

@RealGeorgeWebb1 Did you do know there was a clinical trial for intravenous injection of allicin in humans that showed 63% reduction of the common cold? https://t.co/ipyBh7trhe

Feb 7, 2023 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 1,819 followers View post →
hexaOrthorexia
@hexaOrthorexia · X

@einfach_rio @sixtus @Die_Gruenen Und man hat mehr Platz im Bus. Ergo: Physical Distancing. Und ja, es könnte auch was gegen Viren bringen: https://t.co/4UpzPtBrsh

Jun 28, 2020 · 4 likes · 1,494 followers View post →
TrialsChangLives
@GoodluckJBers14 · X

#CochraneDaily It's Garlic Day (https://t.co/A8swX5NH5g) and the @CochraneLibrary review found insufficient clinical trial evidence on the effects of #garlic for preventing or treating the common cold (https://t.co/QvcBPvTPQf) @CochraneARI

Apr 19, 2023 · 4 likes · 3 shares · 45 followers View post →
Didn't Happen
@DidNotHappenTho · X

@22liv22 @txsalth2o @Manhattva This 2014 Cochrane review says you're both full of it. Trust the science! https://t.co/bPK0i4agTc

Oct 22, 2025 · 3 likes · 75 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

More studies need => No evidence => Garlic is false news => "A single trial suggested that garlic may prevent occurrences of the common cold but more studies are needed to validate this finding." https://t.co/Nzwq7D5tvk

Jan 3, 2022 · 1 like · 6,739 followers View post →
Daniel S Helman, PhD
@HelmanDaniel · X

@Nmenon777 @gaskin_ken In China, garlic is used to combat fever. https://t.co/sN4BksHuGr In Japan as well. https://t.co/XxvC1eJPJy And worldwide. https://t.co/hFB8QKkE6k I'm not selling garlic... but it's a safer thing to try than medicines.

Mar 17, 2020 · 1 like · 2,092 followers View post →

All mentions

Trials Change Lives
@trialschangelives.bsky.social · Bluesky

#CochraneDaily Around your health in 100 Cochrane Reviews 3: GARLIC FOR THE COMMON COLD. @cochrane.org review from 2014 concluded "There is insufficient clinical trial evidence on the effects of garlic in preventing or treating the common cold." www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10....

Nov 7, 2025 View post →
Didn't Happen
@DidNotHappenTho · X

@22liv22 @txsalth2o @Manhattva This 2014 Cochrane review says you're both full of it. Trust the science! https://t.co/bPK0i4agTc

Oct 22, 2025 · 3 likes · 75 followers View post →
meenu singh
@meenusingh4 · X

RT @GoodluckJBers14: #CochraneDaily It's Garlic Day (https://t.co/A8swX5NH5g) and the @CochraneLibrary review found insufficient clinical t…

Apr 20, 2023 · 3 shares · 1,422 followers View post →
Heather McEwen
@HeatherMcEwen3 · X

RT @GoodluckJBers14: #CochraneDaily It's Garlic Day (https://t.co/A8swX5NH5g) and the @CochraneLibrary review found insufficient clinical t…

Apr 19, 2023 · 3 shares · 1,497 followers View post →
The Cochrane Library
@CochraneLibrary · X

RT @GoodluckJBers14: #CochraneDaily It's Garlic Day (https://t.co/A8swX5NH5g) and the @CochraneLibrary review found insufficient clinical t…

Apr 19, 2023 · 3 shares · 76,788 followers View post →
TrialsChangLives
@GoodluckJBers14 · X

#CochraneDaily It's Garlic Day (https://t.co/A8swX5NH5g) and the @CochraneLibrary review found insufficient clinical trial evidence on the effects of #garlic for preventing or treating the common cold (https://t.co/QvcBPvTPQf) @CochraneARI

Apr 19, 2023 · 4 likes · 3 shares · 45 followers View post →
@BeenHavingIt66
@BeenHavingIt66 · X

RT @AllicinV: @RealGeorgeWebb1 Did you do know there was a clinical trial for intravenous injection of allicin in humans that showed 63% re…

Feb 7, 2023 · 2 shares · 2,983 followers View post →
Nina Suryani
@sakiman7263 · X

RT @AllicinV: @RealGeorgeWebb1 Did you do know there was a clinical trial for intravenous injection of allicin in humans that showed 63% re…

Feb 7, 2023 · 2 shares · 75 followers View post →
AllicinV ( 大蒜素-V ) - (TM)
@AllicinV · X

@RealGeorgeWebb1 Did you do know there was a clinical trial for intravenous injection of allicin in humans that showed 63% reduction of the common cold? https://t.co/ipyBh7trhe

Feb 7, 2023 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 1,819 followers View post →
TrialsChangLives
@GoodluckJBers14 · X

#CochraneDaily Around your health in 100 Cochrane Reviews. 1: GARLIC FOR THE COMMON COLD "There is insufficient clinical trial evidence on the effects of garlic in preventing or treating the common cold." #garlic @CochraneARI @CochraneCollab https://t.co/vBA6ZTMxnJ

Feb 1, 2023 · 1 like · 45 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

Why aren't there more trials for garlic? "A single trial suggested that garlic may prevent occurrences of the common cold but more studies are needed to validate this finding. Claims of effectiveness appear to rely largely on poor-quality evidence." https://t.co/Nzwq7D5tvk

Aug 16, 2022 · 6,739 followers View post →
theo
@theo_mazarakis · X

@TrustNobis @JHowardBrainMD The paper you cite is far (very far) from validating Hyman's claim, and every review from Cochrane says that there is insufficient evidence. Plus, there is nothing about broccoli. https://t.co/w9eTgFqkth https://t.co/WeK0Opt2xN https://t.co/JikbXWPjnj https://t.co/ALVYfOSOUS

Jul 11, 2022 · 1 like · 15 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

More studies need => No evidence => Garlic is false news => "A single trial suggested that garlic may prevent occurrences of the common cold but more studies are needed to validate this finding." https://t.co/Nzwq7D5tvk

Jan 3, 2022 · 1 like · 6,739 followers View post →
https://bsky.app/profile/arnoldschiller.de
@ArnoldSchiller · X

@BirkigtA @Stefanswelt @sixtus @Die_Gruenen @gruene_berlin https://t.co/RBIYbjWsv9 ist ein Studie zur Erkältung und nicht zu Corona. Corona ist keine Influenza und hat auch nichts mit einer Erkältung zu tun.

Jun 28, 2020 · 1 like · 1,967 followers View post →
hexaOrthorexia
@hexaOrthorexia · X

@einfach_rio @sixtus @Die_Gruenen Und man hat mehr Platz im Bus. Ergo: Physical Distancing. Und ja, es könnte auch was gegen Viren bringen: https://t.co/4UpzPtBrsh

Jun 28, 2020 · 4 likes · 1,494 followers View post →
Dr. L_E
@Ms_L_E · X

Garlic for the common cold https://t.co/FQuOrm26mi

Mar 26, 2020 · 1,126 followers View post →
Ahmad Kamona
@kamona86 · X

@OmanVSCovid19 فعلا هناك دراسات اثبتت احتوائه على مضادات البكتريا و لكن لا توجد دراسه علميه على فعاليه الثوم في نزلات البرد و الانفلونزا فكيف بال#كوفيد_19. و هذا رابط دراسه علميه بحثت في فعاليه الثوم Lissiman E, Bhasale AL, Cohen M. Garlic for the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. (2014)

Mar 23, 2020 · 62 followers View post →
Daniel S Helman, PhD
@HelmanDaniel · X

@Nmenon777 @gaskin_ken In China, garlic is used to combat fever. https://t.co/sN4BksHuGr In Japan as well. https://t.co/XxvC1eJPJy And worldwide. https://t.co/hFB8QKkE6k I'm not selling garlic... but it's a safer thing to try than medicines.

Mar 17, 2020 · 1 like · 2,092 followers View post →
Jagjeet
@FeedMeParatha · X

@DannyCCW000 @CNN There seems to be at one good study out there related to garlic. But science calls for more research. https://t.co/1hiBhokR32

Mar 14, 2020 · 352 followers View post →
DrRPalmquist
@DrPalmquist · X

Garlic for the common cold https://t.co/GcW9qAhexT

Mar 6, 2020 · 3,164 followers View post →
Maria Jonsson
@MariaJonsson1 · X

@Grundad Garlic for the common cold https://t.co/oPRdwbGfWA

Feb 16, 2020 · 1,954 followers View post →
Cochrane First Aid
@Cochrane_FA · X

Is #garlic effective for the prevention or treatment of the common #cold? Well, we are not sure. https://t.co/D35hrH2NVf Review by @CochraneARI #cochraneevidence https://t.co/40QSKihMNa

Feb 4, 2020 · 1 like · 710 followers View post →
Gabriel Mireles
@Gabomire · X

@larman92 @FridaGomezP @Yelitaruiz @pinche_petus Amigo, a alguien le serviría actualizarse. https://t.co/CVXPfYY6lR

Jan 2, 2020 · 1 like · 1,148 followers View post →
LaToya Jennifer
@LaToyaJennifer · X

Garlic For The Common Cold https://t.co/qHfDVaBv3e

Sep 18, 2019 · 170 followers View post →