A cold, also called an upper respiratory infection, may be common, but it still leaves a sufferer feeling miserable. There are many cold remedies on the market. But if you are interested in alternative cold remedies, the choices can be confusing.
Common cold symptoms in adults usually include runny nose, nasal congestion and sneezing. There is little or no fever with a cold. Sometimes symptoms include sore throat, headache, muscle aches or a cough. Most colds will last 7 to 10 days. Some symptoms may linger for a week longer. Alternative cold remedies and home remedies target specific symptoms rather than groups of symptoms. While this may make symptom relief more complex, it prevents taking an ingredient that you don't need.
Rest and drinking lots of fluids is advice that is common to all treatments, whether they are traditional medicines or alternative medicines or home remedies. This advice cannot be over-rated. While staying in bed may not be possible, it is possible to cut out all or most non-work related activities. The extra fluids should be non-alcoholic and non-caffeine. Some alternative medicine practitioners also recommend avoiding fruit juice because of its natural sugar content. The same is said about soda, including the diet and no caffeine kind. Fluids should come from water and herbal tea. Chicken soup is also good, in moderation. Too much chicken soup can add too much salt to the diet.
Zinc lozenges are recommended at the very first cold symptom and for the first week thereafter. There is some evidence that zinc limits the duration of a cold. However, this has not been proven conclusively.
Garlic has been shown to have some anti-viral properties and has been a home remedy for colds for centuries. It doesn't matter if you just add a lot of garlic to your food or take it in pill form.
Other herbs for use against the common cold, including echinacea, elderberry, ginseng and astragalus, are controversial. While other cultures accept and use them, they have not received the same acceptance in the United States.
Eucalyptus inhalations and ointments, which are rubbed on the chest, are soothing to the mucus membranes of the throat and nose. However, because of its strong odor, it may be best to limit the use of ointment rubs to bedtime.
What to Look for
It is absolutely crucial to read labels carefully when buying any vitamin, herbal or other alternative remedy for colds. Dosage is important. But even more important, these remedies, just as traditional medicines, can have an adverse effect on people with chronic conditions or who are taking prescription medication.
Common Pitfalls
Nothing will make cold symptoms disappear overnight, not even centuries-old alternative and home treatments.
When taking vitamins and herbal treatment, remember that more is not necessarily better. Increased rest and fluids are important parts of any cold treatment.
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