Infectious
COVID-19
COVID-19 is an infectious condition. In the evidence summarized here, it is discussed in relation to acute symptoms and, in some research, acute lower respiratory tract infection.
See how COVID-19 is categorized and review the condition in a clear, accessible format.
This list shows research findings, not treatments. Nothing here replaces medical care. If you have this condition, talk to a doctor.
What may help
What studies found for each option, best evidence first.
14 options:1 good evidence2 some evidence8 not enough evidence1 not tested in people2 no benefit found
BreathworkpracticeGood evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Good human studies found a benefit, and they mostly agree. This is about what studies measured, not a cure.
All 4 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A review of breathing exercises delivered through telerehabilitation reported improvements in functional capacity, performance, dyspnoea and perceived effort. Reviews also described reduced dyspnea and improved breathing comfort and exercise tolerance among COVID-19 inpatients receiving virtual-reality breathing exercises.
Open the Breathwork pagePilatespracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 2 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A 2024 trial in 145 people who had recovered from COVID-19 found improvements in core endurance and static balance. In a trial of 59 participants selected for post-COVID-19 syndrome, Pilates improved 6-minute walk distance and sleep quality.
Open the Pilates pageQigongpracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 4 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A review combining randomized and non-randomized human studies reported improvements in respiratory symptoms, anxiety, sleep quality, mental wellbeing, and health-related quality of life among people with COVID-19. A separate trial enrolled 128 people with severe COVID-19 after discharge and assessed dyspnea, chest tightness, and cough.
Open the Qigong pageRed Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)practiceNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A review reported that a single trial found fewer long-term sequelae and greater restoration of taste in groups receiving high-intensity laser therapy.
Open the Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation) pageCupping TherapypracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A 2023 RCT in 60 people with COVID-19 reported improved SpO2 and symptom alleviation compared with standard care alone.
Open the Cupping Therapy pageExpressive WritingpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A quasi-experimental study of 118 asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in Fangcang Hospitals found improved mood states and prevention of deterioration in mental health.
Open the Expressive Writing pageGratitude JournalpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
In a randomized trial involving 79 people with COVID-19, the gratitude writing group had decreases in DASS-21 stress and PANAS negative affect at one-month follow-up.
Open the Gratitude Journal pageGrounding / EarthingpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A cohort study of 71 patients with COVID-19 associated earthing with shorter illness duration and symptom improvement; it does not establish that earthing caused these changes.
Open the Grounding / Earthing page
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What may help
Interventions recorded as helping with this condition14 listedHighest probability, strongest evidence
- →PracticesBreathworkCertaintyHighSourceRCT
A review of breathing exercises delivered through telerehabilitation reported improvements in functional capacity, performance, dyspnoea and perceived effort. Reviews also described reduced dyspnea and improved breathing comfort and exercise tolerance among COVID-19 inpatients receiving virtual-reality breathing exercises.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Covid 19
Open BreathworkStudy result
Systematic review of RCTs showing improvements in functional capacity, performance, dyspnoea, and perceived effort with breathing exercises delivered via telerehabilitation; low certainty but consistent positive effects.
Medium probability(2)(0)(2)
- →PracticesPilatesCertaintyMediumSourceRCT
A 2024 trial in 145 people who had recovered from COVID-19 found improvements in core endurance and static balance. In a trial of 59 participants selected for post-COVID-19 syndrome, Pilates improved 6-minute walk distance and sleep quality.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Covid 19
Open PilatesStudy result
RCT showing significant improvements in core endurance and static balance in recovered COVID-19 patients.
- →PracticesQigongCertaintyMediumSourceClinical
A review combining randomized and non-randomized human studies reported improvements in respiratory symptoms, anxiety, sleep quality, mental wellbeing, and health-related quality of life among people with COVID-19. A separate trial enrolled 128 people with severe COVID-19 after discharge and assessed dyspnea, chest tightness, and cough.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Covid 19
Open QigongStudy result
Four RCTs and one pre-post study showed improvements in respiratory symptoms, anxiety, sleep quality, mental wellbeing, and health-related quality of life in COVID-19 patients practicing qigong.
Low probability(8)(0)(8)
- →PracticesRed Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)CertaintyLowSourceRCT
A review reported that a single trial found fewer long-term sequelae and greater restoration of taste in groups receiving high-intensity laser therapy.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Back Pain
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Covid 19
- Endometriosis
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Obesity
- +2 more
Open Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)Study result
Single-trial reports of fewer long-term sequelae and higher taste restoration in HILT groups
- →PracticesCupping TherapyCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A 2023 RCT in 60 people with COVID-19 reported improved SpO2 and symptom alleviation compared with standard care alone.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Covid 19
Open Cupping TherapyStudy result
RCT showing significant improvement in SpO2 and symptom alleviation compared to standard care alone.
- →PracticesExpressive WritingCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A quasi-experimental study of 118 asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in Fangcang Hospitals found improved mood states and prevention of deterioration in mental health.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Covid 19
Open Expressive WritingStudy result
Quasi-experimental study showing significant improvement in mood states (BPOMS) and prevention of deterioration in mental health (IMHPS) among asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in Fangcang Hospitals.
- →PracticesGratitude JournalCertaintyLowSourceClinical
In a randomized trial involving 79 people with COVID-19, the gratitude writing group had decreases in DASS-21 stress (p=0.030) and PANAS negative affect (p=0.045) at one-month follow-up.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open Gratitude JournalStudy result
RCT showed significant decreases in DASS-21 stress (p=0.030) and PANAS negative affect (p=0.045) in the gratitude writing group at one-month follow-up.
- →PracticesGrounding / EarthingCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A cohort study of 71 patients with COVID-19 associated earthing with shorter illness duration and symptom improvement; it does not establish that earthing caused these changes.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Covid 19
Open Grounding / EarthingStudy result
Observational-interventional study of 71 patients with COVID-19; earthing associated with shorter illness duration and symptom improvement.
- →PracticesMindfulness MeditationCertaintyLowSourceClinical
In a small, open-label RCT involving 84 pregnant women with COVID-19, posttest scores on NuPDQ, BAI and CAQ were lower in the MBSR group than in the comparison group.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Covid 19
- Pregnancy
Open Mindfulness MeditationStudy result
Between-group posttest scores on NuPDQ, BAI and CAQ were significantly lower in the MBSR group (p<0.001) in pregnant women with COVID-19; the study was small and open-label.
- →PracticesMobility TrainingCertaintyLowSourceClinical
An RCT in 46 people with COVID-19 found improvements in 6-MWT, PEFR, PCF, and chest expansion in the intervention group compared with control.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Covid 19
Open Mobility TrainingStudy result
Randomized controlled trial showing significant improvements in 6-MWT, PEFR, PCF, and chest expansion in the intervention group compared to control.
- →PracticesPursed-Lip BreathingCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A 2025 quasi-experimental study in 39 hospitalized people with COVID-19 found short-term improvements in breathlessness, respiratory symptoms, and mental health at discharge.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Covid 19
Open Pursed-Lip BreathingStudy result
Quasi-experimental study showing short-term improvements in breathlessness, respiratory symptoms, and mental health at discharge in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Very low probability(3)(1)(2)
- →PracticesSwimmingCertaintyVery lowSourceClinical
Pooled analyses whose designs were not recorded provided insufficient data to establish whether swimming is associated with COVID-19 or whether there is no association.
- →PracticesTENS / EMS TherapyCertaintyVery lowSourceClinical
A 2024 cohort of 32 people found that adding EMS to early rehabilitation did not improve muscle strength, ICU mobility, or handgrip strength at ICU discharge compared with historical controls.
Open TENS / EMS TherapyWho was studied
- People with a condition
- Covid 19
- →SupplementsChagaCertaintyVery lowSourceAnimal research
The results obtained indicate the possibility of using basidial fungus Inonotus obliquus aqueous extract as a preventive agent against circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus.
What to avoid
Interventions recorded as making it worseNothing in this library is currently recorded as making COVID-19 worse. Coverage is partial, and absence here is not evidence of safety.
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
COVID-19 is an infectious condition. In the evidence summarized here, it is discussed in relation to acute symptoms and, in some research, acute lower respiratory tract infection. These are distinct from stress and negative affect, which were measured as separate outcomes in one study. Findings involving options such as Quercetin or Echinacea address specific research questions and do not define COVID-19 itself.
Evidence-backed options
The evidence associated with COVID-19 options is uneven, and findings do not consistently show clinical benefit. Quercetin was studied alongside standard care, with reports of faster virus clearance and quicker resolution of acute symptoms, but the available finding does not specify the dose or treatment duration. Gratitude writing was assessed at one-month follow-up and was associated with lower stress and negative affect, addressing psychological outcomes rather than the infection itself.
Some interventions were evaluated with more specific schedules. Echinacea extract syrup was taken in 3 daily doses for 5 days, but it may not improve symptoms of acute lower respiratory tract infection in people with COVID-19. Ginger was safe and well-tolerated in the study described, yet produced no beneficial impact at the studied dose and duration; those details are not specified here. Black Seed Oil has been discussed at 40–80 mg/kg/day alongside regular aerobic exercise, although the finding describes a possible role rather than establishing a treatment effect.
For Astaxanthin, Curcumin, Green Tea Extract (EGCG), and Resveratrol, the findings mainly support further evaluation or describe potential effects from reviews rather than clearly established clinical outcomes. Glutathione and Panax Ginseng are presented as possibilities for further investigation, while findings for L-Carnitine, Sodium Bicarbonate, Spirulina, and Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) describe possible adjunctive benefits. The specific onset of benefit is generally not reported, so these findings should not be interpreted as showing how quickly symptoms or outcomes will change. Anyone with COVID-19 should discuss treatment options with a clinician.