What is a Cold?
The common cold is a short-term viral disease of the upper respiratory tract. Everyone, from time to time, gets a cold.
Symptoms
Inflammation of the mucous membranes results in a sore throat and a stuffy or runny nose. Other symptoms include general malaise, headache, sneezing, watery eyes, restlessness, and aches and pains. Having a cold is not dangerous and is a common ailment with symptoms starting 1-2 days after infection and, as the disease is mild, it usually only lasts for up to a week. However, those with pre-existing respiratory complaints are at risk of complications when they have a cold, so too, are young babies.
Causes
You are more prone to catching a cold if you are ‘run down’ or stressed.
Colds are infectious and therefore are easily spread by coughing and sneezing.
Complementary Approach
Eat: Do not overtax the body with food when you are ill. Instead, sip hot broth made with a bit of chicken meat and a few vegetables.
The following information does not constitute a prescription or recommended dose – studies have been conducted using the dosages stated and are included for your information only. The nutrients mentioned here are often recommended by healthcare practitioners.
Nutritional Supplements
Vitamin C fights the cold virus (1). Take 5,000-2,000 mg daily in divided doses.
Zinc Lozenges (2,3,4). Take these at the first sign of a cold, as they boost the immune system. Take one 15 mg lozenge every 3 hours for 3 days, and then take 1 lozenge every 4 hours for 4 days. (If you are taking other supplements that contain zinc be sure you do not exceed a total of 100 mg per day.)
Vitamin A plus Natural Beta-Carotene. Not only does vitamin A strengthen the immune system, it also helps heal inflamed mucous membranes. Take a daily dose of 15,000 IU of both vitamin A and beta-carotene. (Do not take more than 10,000 IU of vitamin A if you are pregnant).
Herbs that may help this condition
Echinacea (5) (alcohol free) is the first thing you should reach for at the sign of a cold. It is also very effective the treatment of flu, bronchitis, strep throat, and any upper respiratory problems. For adults, place 1 dropperful (3-5 ml) of echinacea in the mouth and hold for 5 minutes before swallowing. You should do this every 2 hours for 3 days, after which you should continue taking the herb at a reduced dosage of 8-10 drops until symptoms subside. In trials, this was found to be a safe dosage, even for children(6).
A study involving people taking Echinacea pallida, an encapsulated product found that taking 600 mg capsules 3 times a day was very effective (7).
Eucalyptus relieves congestion, and nasal stuffiness (8). Add 5 drops of eucalyptus oil to the bath and inhale the steam. Do not use steam inhalation if you suffer from asthma as the steam may trigger an attack.
Boneset can be taken either in the form of a tea or in tincture form. It has been used to treat a wide range of infectious and fever-related infections. Make the tea using 5-10 grams of herb and allow it to steep for 10 minutes, but be sure to cover it so the essential oils do not evaporate. Drink 3 cups per day; you may wish to sweeten it as it is quite bitter.
Tea Tree Oil. For a sore throat, gargle with warm water to which has been added 5 drops of tea tree oil. Repeat this up to 3 times a day.
Garlic is as natural antibiotic and is good for the immune system. Take 2 capsules, 3 times a day.
Wild Indigo, Asian Ginseng, Astragalus, and Schisandra are all used as immune strengtheners.
Further Information
Because a cold is a virus, antibiotics will not make the cold any better, and, in fact, because antibiotics kill off many good bacteria in the body, they could even cause harm, so never take them for a cold. Over-the-counter medications will never cure a cold, but they can alleviate some of the symptoms.
Move around as much as possible as this will get the mucus moving, however, if you do have a fever then stay in bed. A brisk walk will often make you feel better due to the fresh air.
Old tissues can harbour the cold virus so throw them away and always wash your hands to prevent re-infection. Wash your hands regularly or you may re-infect yourself or others if the virus is on your hands. Keep away from others so as to prevent the spread of the virus.
References
- Hemilä H. Does vitamin C alleviate the symptoms of the common cold? A review of current evidence. Scand J Infect Dis1994;26:1-6.
- Macknin ML. Zinc lozenges for the common cold. Cleveland Clin J Med1999;66:27-32 [review].
- Eby G, Davis DR, Halcomb WW. Reduction in duration of common colds by zinc gluconate lozenges in a double-blind study. Antimicrobial Agents Chemotherapy 1984;25:20-24.
- Al-Nakib W, Higgins PG, Barrow I, et al. Prophylaxis and treatment of rhinovirus colds with zinc gluconate lozenges. J Antimicrobial Chemotherapy1987;20:893-901.
- Melchart D, Linde K, Worku F, et al. Immunomodulation with echinacea–a systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Phytomedicine 1994;1:245–54 [review].
- Schilcher H. Phytotherapy in Paediatrics: Handbook for Physicians and Pharmacists. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers, 1997, 43-45.
- Dorn M, et al. Placebo-controlled, double-blind study of Echinacea pallidae radix in upper respiratory tract infections. Compl Ther Med 1997;5:40-42.
- Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy, 3rd ed. Berlin, Germany: Springer Verlag, 1998, 146-47.