Herbal Remedies For A Viral Cold

A cold is a viral infection that affects your nose and throat. You may not have a high fever or aching muscles as with the flu, but you may experience a headache, mild fever, sore throat, runny nose, watery eyes and congestion. Conventional treatment aims to alleviate these symptoms until the cold runs its course, but cold medications can have unpleasant side effects. Herbs have a long history of treating the common cold with few side effects. Consult your health care provider before starting herbal therapy.

Echinacea

Echinaceas, including Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia and E. pallida, are prairie plants, also known as coneflowers, native to North America. Native Americans used every part of these plants to treat a wide range of illnesses, including colds, coughs, toothache, snake bite, sore throat and pain. The active ingredients include polysaccharides, caffeic acid derivatives and alkylamides, and these plants have antiviral, antibacterial and immune-stimulating actions. A study by M. Sharma and colleagues published in the August 2009 issue of "Antiviral Research" tested an extract against several viruses, including rhinoviruses, which are the most common causes of colds. The study found that echinacea inhibited the growth of cold viruses and their ability to generate inflammation. Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster recommend echinacea extract, tincture or capsules, beginning with a higher dose and then tapering off. Consult your health care provider for dosage instructions. Do not take echinacea if you have an autoimmune disease.

Garlic

Garlic, or Allium sativum, is a bulbous plant used for centuries in cooking and medicine. Traditional healers use garlic cloves to treat colds, blood clots, high cholesterol, bronchitis, flu, asthma and high blood pressure. Garlic contains antiviral constituents, including ajoene, allicin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, citral, rutin and several sulphur compounds. Clinical herbalist David Hoffmann notes that garlic's volatile oil is excreted through the lungs, thus directly effecting the pathogens in your upper respiratory tract. White and Foster also note garlic's immune-stimulating action. They recommend using garlic supplements or eating one or more raw garlic cloves each day during cold and flu season. Do not take garlic if you are using blood-thinning medication.

Yarrow

Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, is a leafy herb with flat clusters of tiny white flowers. It's one of the oldest plants used medicinally in Europe, mentioned in ancient Greek literature as the plant the hero Achilles used to heal battle wounds. Yarrow contains many antiviral agents, including alpha-pinene, caffeic acid, eugenol, apigenin, limonene and p-cymene. White and Foster recommend yarrow, prepared as a tea or tincture, for its sweat-inducing and anti-inflammatory actions, making it useful for fevers and membrane inflammation in the throat, lungs and sinuses. Do not take yarrow during pregnancy.