Which alternative remedies can help cure the common cold? The authors of the newly published Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies (Time, 2010) aren’t going to answer that question. But they do give their stamp of approval to these tips, which can help snifflers feel more comfortable.
Which alternative remedies can help cure the common cold? The authors of the newly published Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies (Time, 2010) aren’t going to answer that question. But they do give their stamp of approval to these tips, which can help snifflers feel more comfortable.
Which alternative methods can help cure the common cold? The authors of the newly published Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies (Time, 2010) aren’t going to answer that question. But they do give their stamp of approval to these tips, which can help snifflers feel more comfortable.
Drink lots of fluids
Try chicken soup
Get some rest
Adjust the room’s humidity
Try andrographis
Try echinacea
Get your vitamin C
Consider zinc
They also offer these rather scary cautions about common over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedies, especially for kids.
Overuse of NSAIDs can cause side effects.
Use caution with acetominophen infant drops, which are much more concentrated than children’s syrup.
Don’t use decongestant nasal sprays more than 3 days (to avoid chronic inflammation of mucous membranes). Plus, they don’t work for kids.
Don’t use cough syrups because they don’t effectively treat the underlying cause of coughs due to colds, says the American College of Chest Physicians.
Don’t use OTC cough syrups or cold medicines for anyone younger than 14, they add.
More on common cold remedies:
Nutrition Q&A with Dan Lukaczer, N.D.
Natural alternatives to OTC standbys
Calm coughs naturally
