Natural cold remedies have been around for centuries. According to the The Berkley Wellness Newsletter, plants that have not been used at some time in hope of combating the common cold are indeed rare. The Chinese have been treating illnesses with an assortment of herbal remedy concoctions for centuries.
Does anything work? While there is still no proven cure for the common cold, several natural remedies have now been studied and show some promise for reducing the severity of symptoms and shortening the length of your illness.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is the popular water soluble vitamin that is though to help boost the immune system and possibly speed recovery from a cold. The most famous Vitamin C advocate was Linus Pauling, who in late 1960s began recommending 500 to 1,000 mg per hour for several hours at the first sign of cold symptoms. Since that time, Vitamin C and the prevention of colds and reduction of symptoms has been thoroughly investigated. Other than a hint that colds are slightly less severe, the research on supplementation with varying amounts of Vitamin C does not support original claims. Once and for all, there is no overwhelming evidence that Vitamin C can prevent or cure colds as was once widely believed.
Andrographis: From plants grown in India and China, some studies have confirmed that 60 mg per day of andrographis can stimulate the production of infection fighting white blood cells and reduce the severity of cold symptoms.
Garlic: Garlic has been used for thousands of years and is well known for its immune system boosting ability and antiviral properties. There is some evidence that garlic supplementation with allicin offers some level of protection and reduction in the severity of colds. Allicin is a bacteria and fungus fighting compound produced when garlic is crushed or chopped. It is not very stable so degrades quickly when cooked.
Zinc Lozenges: Some studies have shown that zinc glutonate or zinc acetate lozenges can reduce the average duration of cold symptoms by as much as 50%, while others found no benefit. Zinc is an essential mineral found naturally in foods such as oysters, liver, meat, eggs, and whole grains. It is thought that zinc may interfere with reproduction of the cold virus or keeps it from entering cells. The effectiveness of zinc supplementation may be determined by the potential for zinc absorption, or ZIA, and bioavailability. Certain high fiber foods can interfere with the absorption of zinc.
Echinacea: Echinacea was first used by Native Americans for things like insect and snake bites. Today, this herb is a popular remedy for fighting colds and flu symptoms, especially in Germany. So far, the studies on this herb offer mixed results at best, and most clinical researchers remain unconvinced that it works.
Propolis: Propolis is a substance used by bees to construct their hives that help block out bacteria and viruses. It contains amino acids, vitamins, and minerals with antioxidant properties. A small number of studies have found that propolis extract can reduce severity of cold symptoms in humans.
Hydrogen peroxide: Dr. Joseph Mercola, author of Total Health Program, recommends a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide in each ear within 12-14 hours of the onset of cold or flu symptoms. This one was introduced in Germany in the 1930s, and while the internet is full of testimonials, I could not find any supporting clinical studies.
One problem associated with using natural remedies may be related to purity. ConsumerLab, an independent company that routinely tests over the counter products not evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, has reported significant variance from the labels in many of these products including echinacea, zinc, and garlic. Natural remedies derived from plants also have the potential to be contaminated.
Remember, antibiotics will not work against a virus. If you decide on a natural remedy, the sooner you start taking it after the onset of symptoms, the more likely it is going to work.
1. Fight flu with elderberry. Compounds in elderberries disarm the flu virus and prevent it from replicating. Take one tablespoon of elderberry syrup three times a day.
2. Boost immune function. During a cold or bout of flu, take half a teaspoon of echinacea extract three times a day for up to 10 days to boost your immune system.
3. Chase away chills with ginger. Ginger tea loosens nasal congestion, eases a sore throat and relieves chills.
- 3 teaspoons of fresh grated ringer root - 500ml water - 2 tablespoons of lemon juice - 1 tablespoon of honey
Simmer the ginger and water in a covered pot for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; add the lemon juice and finally the honey. Drink as desired.
4. Zinc the virus. To shorten the duration of a cold, suck on zinc gluconate lozenges. Cold viruses reproduce in the throat and zinc kills them on contact. Take 15mg to 25mg of zinc gluconate in lozenge form every two hours (up to 10 lozenges a day) for up to one week.
5. Relieve congestion with essential oils. Try a herbal steam inhalation using tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils. Tea tree has antiviral and antibacterial properties while eucalyptus helps drain mucous congestion.
- 2 litres of boiling water - 2 drops of tea tree pure essential oil - 2 drops of eucalyptus pure essential oil
Pour boiling water into a heatproof bowl and add the oils. Cover your head and bowl with a large towel. Inhale the steam for 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn yourself.
6. Relief from muscle aches and chills. Epsom salts, rich in magnesium, are a natural muscle relaxant. Eucalyptus oil eases muscle aches and its steam temporarily relives sinus congestion.
- 250g of Epsom salts - 10 drops of eucalyptus pure essential oil
Mix the ingredients and add to a hot bath. Soak for 20 minutes to relieve the aches and chills of a cold or flu.
7. Cool down with yarrow. Yarrow reduces inflammation and increases circulation to the surface of the skin. This promotes sweating and helps to reduce a fever without suppressing the immune system.
- 500ml of boiling water - 3 tablespoons of dried yarrow
Pour the water over the yarrow, cover and steep for 20 minutes. Strain and add the teas to a bath-full of tepid water. For a sponge bath, dilute the tea with an extra 500ml of tepid water before using.
8. Cough relief. To alleviate a cough associated with a cold or flu, prepare the following.
- 250ml boiling water - 2 tablespoons dried thyme - 125ml of honey
Pour the boiling water over the thyme, cover and steep for about 20 minutes. Strain and add honey. If necessary, warm the tea over gentle heat to completely dissolve the honey. Store in a dark glass bottle. Take one tablespoon as often as needed.
9. Hot teas and broths. When you are battling a cold or flu, drink plenty of herbal teas, vegetable broths and chicken soup. Hot liquids make good decongestants, and as they heat the throat they slow the reproduction cycle of the virus.
10. Eat garlic. Eat one clove of finely chopped raw garlic twice a day to prevent colds and flu. To avoid stomach upset, eat garlic with meals.
11. Ease sore throat pain. Gargle several times daily with warm salt water which has mild astringent and antiseptic properties. Dissolve ? teaspoon of sea salt in 250ml of warm water.
Both Dave Elger & Marcus Martinez are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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