Curing The Common Cold

The National Institutes of Health advise bed rest and lots of
fluids to battle colds and flu. But they also recommend over-the-counter
medication to help relieve the viruses' symptoms. And research has shown
that the active ingredients in some natural remedies may actually boost
the immune system, which may help stave off future infections. These
ingredients can be found in medicinal teas, sprays, syrups, extracts,
tablets and supplements. Some of the most popular natural remedies
include:

1. Vitamin C

   Oranges were once the staple of Christmas stockings. And it's easy
   to see why: Citrus fruits have long been associated with good
   health.

   The power behind citrus is vitamin C. Formally known as ascorbic
   acid, it's a powerful antioxidant—it counters the effects of free
   radicals that damage cells. In fact, ligaments, tendons and collagen
   depend on a steady intake of vitamin C to stay strong and healthy.

   Vitamin C has also been shown to help boost the body's immune
   system. It won't prevent a cold or flu, but taking vitamin C at the first
   sign of infection may stop the illness from fully developing and speed
   recovery. In 1995, researchers reviewed studies on vitamin C's effect on
   colds; they found that doses of 1,000 to 6,000 mg a day taken at the
   onset of symptoms reduced a cold's duration by more than 20 percent (an
   average of one day).

2. Zinc

   This mineral is so common, you can find it in pennies. It also
   plays a key role in supporting the immune system. Researchers believe
   that zinc helps the thymus gland produce infection-fighting white blood
   cells. Studies show that adding zinc to the diet can help provide a boost
   to elderly people who suffer from impaired immune systems.

   Zinc lozenges and nasal sprays have gained popularity as
   powerful cold remedies. Some researchers have begun to suspect that zinc
   may take an active role in destroying the cold virus in the body. In one
   experiment that compared zinc to a placebo, participants who sucked on
   zinc lozenges every couple of hours found that the length of their cold
   was cut in half.

3. Echinacea

   The purple coneflower provides echinacea, the popular herbal remedy
   that people around the world take in the form of supplements or medicinal
   teas to help ward off infection. Because three different species of the
   flower are commonly used, the exact nature of echinacea's effect on the
   body is unclear. But it seems that the herb kicks various kinds of cells
   in the immune system into action; echinacea seems to be associated with
   an increase in levels of interferon, which is known to fight
   viruses.

   Echinacea seems to be especially adept at battling colds and flu.
   One study indicates that people who took echinacea for eight weeks were
   one-third less likely to catch a cold than were people in a control
   group. The herb can also be effective at easing the symptoms of people
   who are already infected.

4. Oscillococcinum

   This preparation, derived from the hearts and livers of wild ducks,
   is a leading over-the-counter flu treatment in Europe. And it is now
   becoming more popular in the U.S. for relief against fever, chills and
   body aches associated with the flu.

   Researchers in France and Germany have studied the effectiveness of
   oscillococcinum in battling flu symptoms. Although there is no consensus
   on exactly how the preparation acts on the body, clinical trials suggest
   that oscillococcinum does reduce fever and shortens the duration of flu
   symptoms, as compared to treatment with a placebo. And because the active
   ingredients are found in tiny amounts, there is little likelihood of
   interactions with other drugs.

5. Andrographis

   Extracted from the shrub Andrographis paniculata, andrographis is a
   staple of traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. But its
   popularity as a cold remedy in Scandinavia has raised its profile in the
   West. Clinical studies suggest that andrographis helps stimulate the
   production of white blood cells.

   To test the herb's cold-fighting power, Swedish researchers
   compared it with a placebo. Patients treated with andrographis were two
   and a half times more likely to have less severe symptoms, and the
   symptoms they did have did not linger as long. What's more, a Chilean
   study found that andrographis diminished cold symptoms after just two
   days.