While pharmacy shelves are packed with drugs to treat a cold, most of these products merely suppress symptoms—the
opposite of what you want to do to cure the sickness. Why isn’t it a good idea to simply pop a medication to tamp down a fever, runny nose or hacking cough that is caused by a cold?*
What most doctors don’t tell you: These symptoms are your body’s way of trying rid itself of the cold virus. By suppressing symptoms, you actually may prolong the viral infection.
HOW TO STOP A COLD IN ITS TRACKS
Three key issues determine whether you will become infected with a cold virus—the virulence of the germ (microbe)…the number of microbes that you are exposed to…and how vulnerable you are to infection. When it comes to recovering quickly from a cold, the third point is crucial but most often overlooked. If you feel a cold coming on, a number of natural remedies can help. These remedies may actually increase symptoms for a brief period—an indication that your natural defenses are kicking into high gear. However, you’ll end up getting over your cold much more quickly. In my clinical experience, this regimen may reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms by several days. For best results, adults can use as many of the following remedies as possible as soon as the slightest sign of a cold appears, and continue taking them until symptoms resolve.**
- Vitamin C. Take a vitamin C supplement—2,000 mg twice a day—until symptoms disappear. This dosage has been shown to dry nasal secretions, but it may cause diarrhea in some people. If you experience this side effect, gradually reduce the dosage until it subsides.
- Vitamin D. Take vitamin D supplements totaling 10,000 international units (IU) per day for five days. Research shows that this amount helps shorten the duration of cold and flu infections—an indication that it is likely to also fight cold viruses.
- Vitamin A. Take 25,000 IU daily to keep your immune system healthy. However, this dose should be taken for no more than 10 days. Important: Do not take this dose of vitamin A if there is any chance that you are or may become pregnant—high doses of the vitamin can cause birth defects. Do not take vitamin A with medications that have vitamin A effects, such as retinoids including isotretinoin (Accutane).
- Echinacea. The scientific research has been mixed on this herb’s cold-fighting properties, primarily because studies have not always included the most potent forms of echinacea. My advice: Use products containing a combination of the echinacea species purpuria and angustafolia (listed on the label). For best results, drink either a fresh-pressed juice of echinacea extract (found at most health-food stores) or an alcohol-based tincture that can be mixed with tea or water. Echinacea capsules also can be used but may be less effective. Recommended dosage: 200 mg three times daily.
- Astragalus. Commonly used as part of Ayurvedic medicine from India, this herb has potent immune-boosting properties. For dosage, follow label instructions.
- Garlic. Fresh cloves are more effective than garlic capsules when you have a cold. If you can tolerate it, eat a clove twice a day. Cooked garlic is not as effective as a cold-fighting remedy.
- Zinc lozenges. Research is mixed, but in my clinical experience, a lozenge containing elemental zinc or zinc gluconate has helpful antiviral effects. Recommended dosage: Take one lozenge every two waking hours. Do not exceed a total of 150 mg of zinc daily from all sources.
- Homeopathic remedies. If you aren’t able to see a homeopathic practitioner who will prescribe a specific homeopathic remedy based on your cold’s symptoms, there are some general homeopathic cold remedies that you can take on your own. The remedies can be found in health-food stores—follow label instructions.
Good choices: Ferrum phosphoricum for a cold that is just coming on and hasn’t yet developed very specific symptoms…or Aconite for a cold that develops after exposure to wet or cold or that occurs with a high fever. Some widely available products combine a number of homeopathic remedies that cover a range of cold symptoms. My favorites: Coldcalm…or Hyland’s Cough Relief. Follow label instructions. If you prefer to consult a homeopathic practitioner: Contact the National Center for Homeopathy, 703-548-7790, www.NationalCenterForHomeopathy.org, to find one near you.
