Natural, Effective Remedies for Colds and Flu

(Page 3 of 6)

December 2007/January 2008
By Linda B. White, M.D. 
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In a study conducted at the Ege University Medical School in Turkey, kids received zinc sulphate (15 milligrams of zinc) as a syrup for seven months, with a doubling of the dose at the onset of cold symptoms. Compared to kids who took a placebo syrup, those taking zinc had significantly fewer colds, and the colds they got were shorter and milder.

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Herbal Comfort

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu. While research has been mixed, many of them were proven to aid healing.

Echinacea (E. angustifolia, purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defenses to help prevent respiratory tract infections. Several well designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections. Though a controversial 2005 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that extracts of the E. angustifolia root didn’t significantly affect viral infections, the American Botanical Council noted the dosage used in the study was lower than the amount recommended by the World Health Organization, as well as the Canadian Natural Health Products Directorate. Two more recent meta-analyses concluded that echinacea did reduce the duration and incidence of the common cold.

Two types of preparations have repeatedly been shown effective: the juice of the aboveground parts of E. purpurea (marketed as Echinagard), and the alcoholic extracts (tinctures) of the roots of E. purpurea and E. pallida. According to one study, echinacea tea may also be an effective remedy.

Most experts say that when a good product is taken in adequate and frequent doses at the onset of symptoms, echinacea can shorten the duration and severity of a cold. Based on new research, it may also make sense to start echinacea if you’ve been exposed to someone with a cold. The recommend dosage is two droppers full of echinacea mixed with water — either the root tincture or the juiced aerial parts preserved in alcohol. This should be taken every two waking hours while symptomatic. Renowned herbalist Steven Foster, author of numerous books on medicinal plants, including Echinacea, acknowledges that perfect compliance is tough. His method when he feels a cold coming on? “I slug down 1 teaspoon of tincture at least three times a day.”

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