Immune support and “detox” (marketing category)

Marketing category for supplements and herbs sold as «immune boosting», «detox», «toxin cleansing» and «antioxidant support». Since 2010 EFSA has rejected such health claims for lack of cause-and-effect substantiation. The «detox» concept does not exist in pharmacology – the liver and kidneys clear metabolites in a healthy person without supplements. According to NCCIH and Cochrane, in people without diagnosed immunodeficiency herbal «immunomodulators» do not lower viral respiratory infection rates and do not improve clinical outcomes. Real immune support: vaccination, balanced diet, normal sleep, physical activity.

1 drug

Also known as: Immune boosting, Body cleansing, Antioxidant support

Marketing claims without evidence base

The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.

DChamomile (Matricaria chamomilla / recutita, flowers)Not recommended · Herbal preparation, EMA HMPC traditional herbal medicinal productChamomile flowers (Matricaria chamomilla) are a common herbal ingredient sold in teas and supplements for "immune support" and "detox". There is no convincing evidence that chamomile strengthens immunity or clears "toxins" from the body, and "detox" has no real medical meaning, since the liver and kidneys handle that on their own. To actually support your defenses, the things that work are well known: routine vaccination, enough sleep, varied nutrition and physical activity. In ordinary culinary amounts chamomile is safe, but you should not count on it for any immune effect.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit