A Short Review of Common Cold Remedies

The common cold are you experiencing a runny nose, coughs, nasal congestion, sneezing and maybe even a sore throat it could be that contagious annoying virus known as the common cold. Usually it may last for a week or two, but what happens if it stays or you really need to get up and go what can your do?

There has been a plethora of common cold remedies known to mankind as far back as I can think and they range from herbal remedies, other home remedies and pharmaceutical remedies. You could say knowledge of these remedies are as common as the common cold itself. However they all offer some kind of benefit although not necessarily a cure in most cases. e.g one very popular remedy I have known since child hood is chicken soup. Truth is it doesn't cure the cold but it certainly helps and provides a lot of relief. Sipping chicken soup certainly help clear clogged up nasal passages. Mount Sinai researchers in Miami looked at how chicken soup affected air flow and mucus in the noses of 15 volunteers who drank cold water, hot water or chicken soup. While the hot fluids helped increase the movement of nasal mucus, it was found that chicken soup did the best job, another study by Dr. Rennard at Nebraska University showed the soup inhibited the movement of neutrophils, the most abundant type of white blood cell in the human body that defends against infection. Neutrophils activity can stimulate the release of mucous. According to a report titled “Coping With Allergies and Asthma” in 1998 it was suggested chicken soup also improves the function of protective cilia, the tiny hairlike projections in the nose that prevent contagions from entering the body. Probably the best and effective ingredients to include in your soup are chicken, onions, sweet potato, parsnips, turnips, carrots, celery stems, and parsley.

Zinc is another remedy used to cure or relieve cold symptoms while there has been many studies on the effectiveness of zinc non has been conclusive in their findings, in fact most of these studied are conflicting. The claim is that zinc may decrease the ability of cold viruses to grow on or bind to the lining of the nose. Zinc which is an essential mineral found in almost every cell has antioxidant effects and is vital for the body’s resistance to infections plus is also essential to tissue repair. Zinc is found naturally in shellfish, beef and other red meats, nuts and seeds, beans, milk and cheese. The full recommended daily allowance is 12 mg for women and 15 mg for men. Tea, coffee, and certain medications may interfere with zinc absorption in the intestines. Recently published data found that taking zinc, either as a syrup or lozenge, during the first 24 hours of a cold may shorten the duration of symptoms by three to four days. It also appears to prevent colds in people who used it over the course of about five months.

It's recommended that people take one lozenge every two to four hours during the day for a maximum of six to twelve lozenges a day but not in excess of 15Mg daily. Zinc should not be taken for more than five days. Long term use of zinc for more than six weeks can lead to copper deficiency, cause mouth irritation, a metallic taste, and upset stomach.

Vitamin C another controversial cold treatment remedy. In the 1970 Linus Pauling believed that Vitamin C could significantly decrease the incidence of the common cold. However numerous studies have examined the effects of starting vitamin C after the onset of cold symptoms. So far, no significant benefits have been observed. However research has shown people living in extreme circumstances, including soldiers in sub-arctic exercises, skiers, and marathon runners, have found a significant reduction in the risk of developing a cold by approximately 50%. Vitamin C is safe to take when ingested through natural foods such as red peppers, oranges, strawberries and grapefruit, i.e. Fruits and vegetables. For most people however taking vitamin C supplements or ascorbic acid in the recommended amounts is also safe. The recommended daily allowance is 90mg for men and 75mg for women. Higher doses of vitamin C may cause kidney stones, nausea, and diarrhea.

Antihistamines, Anti Cholinergics, Nonsteroidal, Anti Inflammatory drugs, Cough suppressants (Over the counter medications) interestingly there is a strong professional and industrial voice supporting the effectiveness of over the counter medication against the common cold even though clinical data is in opposition to this. In fact it is now understood that most OTC don't effectively treat the infection but only mask or hide the symptoms of the viral onslaught. Yet most over the counter medications has side effect including seizures, drowsiness, and in some cases causes rapid heart rate, blood pressure elevation, nervous stimulation, gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, gastrointestinal discomfort, even strokes. NSAIDs may also prolong bleeding and reduce kidney function. It is not recommended to give children under six years any Over The Counter medication.

Garlic is a very powerful natural antibiotic, also possessing anti-viral and antiseptic effects. Raw garlic contain more potentially beneficial compounds and is also better than cooked garlic. You can take Allicin supplement (Allicin is considered the main active chemical in garlic) to avoid the bad breath or you can use natural garlic remedies to protect against flu or the common cold. A western Australia university study confirmed that supplementation of garlic every day reduce the probability of catching a cold by 50%. It also showed that those taking taking the supplement were more likely to recover quicker than those who weren’t taking the supplement.

Garlic remedy should be taken in doses of two or three cloves daily. If you cannot eat the garlic raw then you can dip/soak the cloves in honey or put about four or five cloves in a bowl of chicken soup. When using raw garlic it is important to crush or mince the garlic clove and then let the cloves sit for 15 minutes before ingesting. Garlic tea is another means of ingesting garlic other than direct eating. Simply crush one clove of peeled garlic and allow to sit for 15 minutes in the bottom of a coffee cup, after which pour boiling water over it. Let it steep for another few minutes. Next add honey and drink the tea slowly while chewing on the clove of garlic.

Excessive garlic consumption can cause damage to your digestive tract, and result in complications such as bleeding or bruising, flatulence and in rare cases headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle aches, and dizziness. Garlic should not be taken with blood thinning medication or anticoagulants.

Oregano the wonder herb used from over 500 years ago by the Greeks such as Hippocrates the father of western medicine who used oregano as an antiseptic, as well as a cure for stomach and respiratory ailments. However in 2005, the US Federal Trade Commission brought legal action against a firm that claimed oil of oregano treated colds and flu. Saying the representations were false or were not substantiated at the time the representations were made, and that they were therefore a deceptive

practice and false advertisements, not with standing the historical and research data showing the high level of efficacy by Oregano oil against viruses and other forms of pathogens.

Although there is no know research describing Oregano's efficacy against the common cold there is lots of anecdotal and testimonial evidence to give it some serious consideration not to mention that in and of itself Oregano is considered a excellent immune system booster. Furthermore even though there might not be any empirical evidence to support the claim that Oregano oil is effective against the common cold there is enough scientific data to support its claim as a effective antiviral agent thus impetus for using Oil of Oregano for Colds.

In the 1600s British herbalist Gerard promoted oregano as the ideal treatment for head colds.

a Georgetown University researcher Harry G. Preuss, MD, MACN, CNS, professor of physiology and biophysics, and his research team, examined the efficacy of oregano oil and carvacrol against staphylococcus bacteria and found oregano to be as effective as standard antibiotics streptomycin, penicillin and vacnomycin. One of the advantages essential oils have over antibiotics is that bacteria do not develop resistance to essential oils. Another advantage to essential oils is that some actually stimulate immune function.

Dr. Cass Ingram the foremost expert on Oregano; According to Dr. Ingram, "oregano is the Rolls Royce of natural antiseptics"

French doctor named Belaiche determined by rigorous laboratory experimentation that out of all natural essential oils, oregano was the closest to an ideal antibacterial agent.

Dr. F. Ann Draughon, a University of Tennessee microbiologist found that oil of oregano was the most effective at killing all pathogens it tested against, including nine food borne microbes.

These findings have been published in various scientific journals and presented at prestigious scientific functions.

Whether taken internally, applied topically or inhaled Oregano Oil always needs to be diluted in an edible oil such as olive, flax seed, palm, hemp seed or coconut oil. Using at least four parts oil per one part Oregano essential oil. The essential oil is too strong to be taken internally or externally and must be properly diluted to be safe and effective. A small handful of oregano leaves in a quart of boiling water, and a dish towel makes a great vaporizer, clearing up your nostrils and help eliminate the cough. Try a cup of oregano tea; steeping 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 3 tablespoons fresh crushed leaves in cup of boiling water for 3 minutes. Take twice daily. Do not sweeten the tea. you may finds this to be one of your most effective common cold remedies.

Pregnant women should not use Oregano Oil.

Oregano oil is contradicted in persons with allergies to basil, mint, sage, thyme and other member of the mint family. Oregano can negatively affect iron absorption in certain individuals, causing anemia do not take for extended periods. The same applies for individuals on blood thinning medications.