Americans spend billions each year on cold preparations that are advertised to make you feel better.
If you're like most people, you probably sniffle, sneeze and suffer through a sore throat for several days - or maybe longer - even though you have taken medicine. The golden rule about treating the common cold is: if you catch a cold, you have to let it run its course.
Painkillers such as aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen are common ingredients in cold products designed to relieve aches and pains and reduce fever. Yet, most colds don't cause aches, pains or high fevers - so these probably won't help. Similarly, antihistamines meant for runny noses help with allergies and hay fever, but don't do much for the common cold.
Before reaching for any cold medication, try the following:
- Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water. Fluids will help loosen mucus in your nose and chest.
- Rest. You feel more tired when you have a cold, and you may need more sleep than usual.
What works? Is there any truth to what generations of grandmas have been telling us? Does old-fashioned chicken soup, often called "Jewish penicillin," have medicinal benefits? Do herbs really work?
Here are some popular cold remedies:
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses the aromatic essence of plants to "rouse" the immune system. For a cold, add several drops of a pure, natural oil (such as eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree oil or rosemary) to a hot bath at the first sign of illness. They all have a vaporizing effect, although this has not been scientifically proven.
Chicken soup
There are many chicken soup remedies. A doctor at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach offered the first modern evidence that chicken soup provides cold relief. Marvin Sackner, M.D., a pulmonary specialist, found that the real value of chicken soup is in its steam. Sipping hot chicken soup, he found, helps clear up congestion.
Another theory is that chicken soup has drug-like agents similar to those in modern cold medicines. For example, an amino acid released from chicken during cooking, chemically resembles the drug acetylcysteine, prescribed for bronchitis and other respiratory problems. Still another thought is that chicken soup keeps a check on inflammatory white blood cells, which cause cold symptoms like coughs and congestion.
Echinacea
Some say echinacea, which is also known as the purple coneflower, can help the body fight colds, flu and other related ailments. However, most doctors are not convinced that echinacea works, mainly because most research on the herb is not well-designed. In research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, echinacea was found not to work in shortening the duration of a cold or in improving its severity. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a division of the National Institutes of Health, has funded some well-designed studies on the herb, but has found nothing convincing so far.
NCCAM continues to invest money because the possibility that the herb may help is still there. Some studies say it does, but these studies don't tend to be well designed, with most of the research occurring in Europe. In this country, manufacturers are not required to test herbal or supplemental products, so there is not much incentive to test the claims. Echinacea should not be used by people with allergies to daisies or plants in the aster family. People with tuberculosis, leukemia, diabetes, connective tissue disorders or liver disorders should not take it. Also, if you have had an organ transplant, you should not take echinacea. It also should not be used by pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding.
Echinacea should not be taken for more than six to eight weeks at a time because it can suppress the immune system after a while. If you're going to use echinacea, take the pill or liquid form at the first sign of illness.
Garlic
Modern-day research has shown that garlic may have antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is unclear whether or not it actually does ward off viruses. However, many who favor this natural "antibiotic" suggest eating it raw. Some suggest swallowing a clove with honey or applesauce to get beyond the taste.
Ginger
Chinese healers have been using ginger for colds for thousands of years. One theory is that it helps you "sweat" out the cold germs. Researchers have found in test tube studies that some chemicals in ginger have activity against some cold viruses. Fresh ginger can be eaten alone or soaked and steeped in boiling water to make ginger tea. It won't hurt you, but it probably won't help you, either.
Herbal tea
Just about any herbal tea gives you a warm, soothing effect on the throat and its steam helps break up the congestion.
Green and black teas
Green and black teas are touted as a way to prevent cancer, heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, cavities and bad breath. The key to these teas, some scientists say, is the powerful antioxidants that mop up free radicals, which are natural but damaging substances made by cells. Researchers from the University of Kansas measured the antioxidant content of green tea and found that it is 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times better than vitamin E at protecting cells. Like chicken soup, one of the benefits of tea is that it is warm, soothing to the throat and thins nasal secretions.
Vitamin C
Most studies lead researchers to conclude that vitamin C does not prevent or treat colds. Some experts suggest that vitamin C may help only if you have low levels of this nutrient to begin with. While vitamin C is generally safe in high doses (more than 2,000 mg daily), it can cause diarrhea, gas or stomach upset.
Zinc
No convincing evidence shows that zinc supplements fight colds or prevent them. Research has been conflicting. Your best bet is to get your zinc from foods like meats, seafood, dairy, beans and wheat germ.
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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