In the United States, people suffer a combined total of over one billion colds per year, according to the National Institutes of Health. Colds can be mild or so severe that they put you out of commission for a few days. For this reason, many often look to natural means of preventing and treating the common cold. There are a few herbs that are reported to be effective against colds and may be worth your consideration. Be aware that all herbs can cause unwanted side effects, especially if you are being treated for other medical conditions. Speak to your doctor before taking any herbal supplements.
Echinacea
Echinacea is commonly referred to as coneflower. With blooms of bright purple or yellow, echinacea makes a bright addition to outdoor gardens, attracting both butterflies and onlookers. It may also be beneficial in treating and preventing the common cold. According to a report in the July 2007 issue of "The Lancet Infectious Diseases," echinacea can lower the chances of developing a cold by 45 percent and decrease the duration of cold symptoms by 1.4 days. While this report from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy shows echinacea's effectiveness in treating the common cold, be aware that the National Institutes of Health reports there are several conflicting studies on its benefits against colds and upper respiratory infections. However, there are very few side effects of using echinacea if it is taken in the recommended dosage only. If you are allergic to ragweed, marigold, chrysanthemums or daisies, you should not use echinacea due to a high risk of allergic reaction. Speak to your physician before consuming echinacea to prevent or treat a cold, especially if you are currently on medication for any other condition.
American Ginseng
American ginseng, or Panax quinquefolius, roots are used to make medications for the treatment of various conditions, including diabetes and the common cold, according to the Internet Drug Index. Chemicals in American ginseng called polysaccharides have been found to boost the body's immune system, which help to prevent and treat colds. Researchers at Capital Health in Alberta, Canada, tested the effectiveness of American ginseng in treating the common cold. They recruited over 300 subjects at the onset of flu season and had almost half of them take an American ginseng supplement for four months while the other half took a placebo. The results of the study, published in the Oct. 25, 2005, issue of "Canadian Medical Association Journal," show that those who took the American ginseng supplement had fewer colds and a shorter duration of cold symptoms than those who took a placebo pill.
Another report from Canada, published in the July 10, 2009, issue of "Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine," states that while ginseng may not reduce the number of colds, it appears to be effective at shortening the duration of a cold when it is taken as a preventive measure for eight to 16 weeks. Never use American ginseng if you have a problem regulating your blood sugar or are on medication for any other condition. American ginseng lowers blood sugar and can cause it to drop to unsafe levels. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that while side effects of American ginseng use may be rare, they can include high blood pressure, anxiety, nosebleeds, vomiting, headache, breast pain, insomnia, restlessness and diarrhea. Speak to your physician before consuming American ginseng.
Elderberry
Elderberry herb produces flowers and berries that can be used in food recipes, such as jellies and jams, or in medicinal preparations. Medicines made with elderberry extract have shown positive results when studied against strains of viral infections, such as cold and flu. A report from researchers at Columbia University in New York published in the January 2010 issue of "Phytotherapy Research" states that elderberry preparations have antioxidant and antiviral properties that make it effective in the treatment of viruses. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that elderberry lozenges have been shown to help lessen flu symptoms if taken at symptom onset, and that elderberry extract was found to be effective against the swine flu virus when tested in a lab. Before recommending elderberry for conditions such as swine flu, more studies need to be performed on human subjects. If you would like to try elderberry to relieve cold symptoms, use a commercial extract, as the use of fresh elderberries can be dangerous. The UMMC states that if the berries are not ripe enough or are uncooked, they can be poisonous. If you suspect your cold has turned into the flu, seek medical attention immediately for a proper diagnosis, as you may need antibiotics. If you use elderberry extract as directed on the label, there are few side effects. Elderberry is also considered a diuretic, which means it helps promote water loss from the body. If you are on high blood pressure medication or other medications, do not take elderberry extract. Consult your physician before consuming any herbal product.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Medline Plus: Common Cold
- PubMed: The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Evaluation of Echinacea for the Prevention and Treatment of the Common Cold
- National Institutes of Health: Medline Plus: Echinacea
- RxList: Internet Drug Index: Ginseng, American
- PubMed: Canadian Medical Association Journal: Efficacy of an Extract of North AmericanGinseng
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