Natural Remedies for Cold and Flu

While there is no cure for respiratory infections, some remedies can be found courtesy of Mother Nature.
Natural Remedies: What Works, What Doesn’t

Practically everyone will battle colds and the flu at some point in time. The average adult is sick with the common cold (with symptoms like sore throats, coughs, and mild fevers) two to four times each year. Another 15% to 20% get the flu. Since these illnesses are caused by a virus, they can’t be stopped completely. But you can relieve your symptoms. And since these are such common ailments, there is no shortage of remedies meant to relieve them.

The big question remains—which natural treatments work, and which are a waste of time? Our medical experts review many popular home remedies from zinc and garlic to Echinacea and saline drops, and they offer useful, factual information you can use to keep yourself and your family healthy.

Do Vitamins Prevent Cold and Flu?

When it comes to upper respiratory infections, can vitamins make a difference? It may depend on what you’re taking.

Two vitamins have come to the forefront as possible cold- and flu-stoppers. Both vitamin C and vitamin D have been studied as potentially preventative treatments to these diseases. Both seem to have some effectiveness in certain ways. Whether they improve the immune system’s ability to fight disease is still being studied, but here’s what we’ve learned so far.

Vitamin C

On its surface, vitamin C has a lot going for it. It is a necessary nutrient found in lots of the foods we eat on a regular basis. Those foods include oranges, red bell peppers, kale, and broccoli for starters. It’s found in orange juice, which is also a relatively gentle food for digestive discomfort.

The research for this nutrient as a remedy for respiratory infections splits along two lines. One line of research attempts to understand whether high doses taken on a regular basis can prevent colds. The second line of research tries to answer whether high doses taken during a respiratory infection may decrease the duration of the disease.

On the first question—whether daily, high doses can prevent colds—has come up negative. There seems to be no solid, scientific evidence that this nutrient can keep a cold from developing. One possible exception is in the case of those who experience brief episodes of severe physical exercise or frigid environments—they may benefit from regular, high doses.

On the second question—whether high doses can reduce the duration of an illness—is inconclusive, but what evidence is available suggests it may have some benefit.

Different people seem to respond differently. For some, 1,000 mg seems to be helpful. For others, it takes 2,000 mg. Be careful: at these high doses, some people will experience diarrhea and nausea.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D supplements have been tested to discover if they can prevent colds and the flu. Three large trials have come to contradictory conclusions.

In the first trial, scientists from the University of Otago in New Zealand followed 322 otherwise healthy adults for a year and a half. The study found that people who took supplements got sick about as often as people who didn’t. A second trial of more than 2,000 adults ages 45-75 also found no significant results from taking supplements.

However, a third trial performed by scientists from McMaster University found more promising results for those taking supplements. In this study, 600 students were tested. Some were given vitamin D, while others weren’t. The students given the extra nutrients were significantly less likely to contract an upper respiratory tract infection.

You’ll need to work a little harder to find natural food sources for your “daily D,” though some foods are fortified with this nutrient, making it easier to get it into your diet. Fortified foods include milk and some orange juices. Natural sources include fatty fish like mackerel and tuna, and swordfish and salmon have particularly high levels. Unfortunately, these fish may also contain high levels of mercury.

Does Chicken Soup Work?

For many, chicken soup is a comforting way to wait out an illness. But research points to several potential health benefits beyond mere comfort. When it comes hot and steamy, that steam could help open up the nasal passages and ease congestion. Sipping the nutritious broth can keep your energy up and stave off dehydration. On top of all that, lab results suggest chicken soup may ease inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory properties haven’t been proven in human subjects, though.

Does Hot Tea Work?

When you feel sick, have you ever tried putting on a kettle of tea? The benefits of tea are quite similar to those of chicken soup; in both cases the steam can unclog congested nasal passages. Swallowing the hot fluid can soothe a sore throat, which can also relieve a nagging cough, as well as keep you hydrated. And it’s possible that the antioxidants in black and green teas can assist in fighting disease.

Does a Hot Toddy Work?

This classic cocktail has been used for generations to fall asleep fast while sick. And it may work–in moderation. The hot toddy is typically made out of hot tea, lemon, a teaspoon of honey, and a shot of whiskey or bourbon. Along with chicken soup and hot tea, the hot toddy can reduce congestion and soothe a sore throat and cough. It also makes you sleepy, but be careful here—too much alcohol actually harms the quality of your sleep.

Does Garlic Work?

Although considered tasty by many, the effectiveness of garlic as a cold and flu treatment needs more research. According to the NIH, there isn’t enough evidence to determine if garlic can help prevent these viral sicknesses or relieve their symptoms. Some may find garlic supplements unpleasant due to their tendency to cause bad breath, body odor, and other side effects. Anyone taking blood thinners should be particularly cautious, though. Garlic can interact with anticoagulant drugs, meaning anyone on these drugs ought to discuss the use of garlic with a doctor first.

Do Humidifiers and Steam Work?

This one’s a winner for your health. Steam works its way into clogged nasal passages, easing congestion and relieving dry, irritated sinuses. For a whole-room solution, try using a humidifier. Older humidifiers could cause dangerous burns for anyone who got too close, but more modern models feature cool steam for sinus relief that’s safer.

Does Menthol Ointment Work?

Menthol is an extract of mint. It is responsible for the cool sensation found in mints, and when it’s used as an ointment it can help relieve symptoms that frequently accompany the flu and common cold. For starters, menthol is a good decongestant. It thins the mucus that comes with congestion and also makes coughs more productive by helping break up phlegm. In addition, menthol can be useful at easing sore throats and dry coughs. Infants should not be exposed to menthol or peppermint, and peppermint oil should not be taken orally.

Does Gargling Work?

Not only does gargling work to ease the symptoms of a cold or flu, but it also may be useful in preventing these diseases in the first place.

One of the most unpleasant cold symptoms is a sore throat. Luckily you don’t need anything but salt and water to treat a sore throat. Just mix 1 cup of warm water with 1 tsp of salt. Gargle with the mixture, and spit it back out. This combination works simply and quickly, and is recommended for anyone 8 years old or older.

Preventing cold and flu viruses may be even simpler, according to one study. Researchers followed 387 healthy Japanese adults. Some of the test subjects gargled with plain water, others used water and an antiseptic, and a third group did not gargle at all. After 60 days, those who used water alone were significantly less likely to contract an upper respiratory tract infection. Why water alone was more effective is not known, but the study’s authors point out that water is commonly chlorinated in Japan, which may help explain this.

source: Medicinenet