Cures for the Common Cold

The common cold is a viral upper respiratory infection that is most common during the colder months, but can occur at any time during the year. The most common cause of the common cold is the rhinovirus, a single positive- stranded RNA virus. The virus is easily transmitted during the colder winter months due to increased close contact caused by both the weather and lifestyle calendars (school, work, etc).The average annual frequency of colds is 5-7 infections per year in young children and 2-3 infections per year for adults.

What Are The Symptoms of a Common Cold? 

A cold will generally cause a mild to moderate cough, mild aches and pains, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, and will last up to 7-9 days.  A cold typically does not involve a fever (with occasional exceptions for young children), and rarely involves a headache. Sneezing and watery eyes are common, and a person may experience fatigue.

What Is The Incubation Period of The Common Cold? 

The incubation period is the length of time between when you become infected and when you begin to experience symptoms. The average incubation period for the common cold ranges from 12- 72 hours. A cold will usually appear slowly, often over a full day or two, with gradually increasing symptoms.

How Does the Common Cold  Spread?

The cold is transmitted in a many ways, including through the air, through close personal contact, through the stool, and through respiratory secretions. These can be transmitted through direct contact as well as through touching an item which has been contaminated.

Rhinovirus is most infectious at temperatures which are slightly below body temperature, around 91 degrees–or the temperature found in the nasal passages and upper airways.

Rhinovirus can also only cause acute infections, and does not frequently mutate. The common cold reinfects a person continually in a different way. It is defeated by the innate or nonspecific immune system quickly, long before the adaptive (acquired) immune system is triggered. In other words, it doesn’t put up much of a fight, leaving the immune system only partially activated so that immunity does not develop; and the virus can infect the same individual over and over.

How Can I Prevent the Common Cold? 

Cold transmission is rapid and common, so the best method of prevention in the is the use of viral-inhibiting botanicals and substances on frequently used items. Avoiding individuals with upper respiratory symptoms is also recommended. 

Treatments for the Common Cold

ASTRAGALUS

In a 2013 study evaluating the replication of H9N2 flu virus in poultry, astragalus was found to stop replication and increase antibody amounts within the first week (Kallon, et al, 2013). Although the flu is caused by a different virus, Astragalus is used as a preventive and treatment option throughout the cold and flu season. 

GARLIC EXTRACT

In a 2016 study on aged garlic extract, participants were given garlic supplements for 45 and 90 days to evaluate multiple outcomes. Garlic was found to reduce the severity, symptom load, days of substandard performance and missed work significantly (Percival, 2016).

ECHINACEA

Echinacea has long been used as a botanical solution for the common cold, though this treatment has come under attack recently. Some studies have found that it is ineffective, prompting a wide media campaign asserting that the herb is ineffective. However, the key to effectiveness is always found in the dose. Accurate dosing is crucial for efficacy when treating a cold with echinacea. One study only used 10.2mg/day for first day and 5.1 mg/day for 4 more days, and no results (changes in immune function, mean illness duration) occurred when compared to placebo – and this was over a large study covering a total of 713 participants (Barrett, et al, 2010). This is one major reason that people don’t get the results they want.

Many people use echinacea to prevent colds or the flu, but in reality it works primarily by improving immune function during an infection and shortening the duration. In a study of 90 volunteers, routine supplementation of echinacea twice a day for 8 weeks did not reduce the overall number of upper respiratory tract symptoms. While there was a reduction in total sick days, it was not one that reached statistical significance. (O’Neil, Hughes, Lourie, & Zweifler, 2008).

The best approach is to use echinacea after the onset of illness. When you notice symptoms of a cold, echinacea improves non-specific immune function, which helps to increase the antibodies that circulate during a cold, reducing both severity of illness and duration. (Goel, et al, 2005)

EUCALYPTUS AND PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OILS

Inhalation of peppermint essential oil is often used for upper respiratory health due to the menthol component. Eucalyptus oil is helpful due to the 1,8 cineole component. Spraying the oils directly on the throat in a sore throat spray has been found to effectively reduce upper respiratory symptoms including sore throat, hoarseness, and cough. These results are rapid, with symptom reduction apparent only 20 minutes after application.

ELDERBERRY

Elderberry works by inhibiting viral replication, so it is best taken at the first sign of symptoms to stop the progression of the infection. As a potent antiviral, elderberry is strongly suggested for cold and flu viruses. One study in Norway was conducted across 60 people who were within the first 48 hours of flu symptoms, including both influenza types A and B, demonstrated this efficacy. The patients receiving elderberry were over the flu virus within an average of 4 fewer days than those with placebo. (Zakay-Rones, et al, 2004) Similarly, a known outbreak of influenza B in Panama evaluated elderberry intake over 6 days, measuring fever, feeling of improvement, and complete cure along with serum antibody tests. In the elderberry treatment group, over 93% of cases were better in just 2 days, compared with 6 days for the control group to reach only 91.7%. Almost 90% of the treatment group was completely cured in only 2-3 days. (Zakay-Rones, et al,1995)

THYME

Thyme has a lengthy history as a traditional solution for a cough and sore throat. Recent studies indicate that it also has antimicrobial actions which may contribute towards its efficacy. Thyme is best used in a cough drop or cough syrup for maximum efficacy.

WILD CHERRY BARK

While studies are lacking, wild cherry bark has a lengthy history of use as an antitussive and is effective for both dry and productive coughing. It is a key ingredient in many kids cough syrups and extract blends.

SLIPPERY ELM

Slippery elm is rich in mucilage, which soothes irritation in a sore throat or a dry, scratchy cough. To achieve efficacy, it must come into contact with the throat so it can be used in a tablet or chewable, but not a capsule.

MARSHMALLOW 

Like slippery elm, marshmallow produces a rich mucilage which helps to soothe irritation in a dry, scratchy cough. The mucilage must come into contact with the throat in a suitable preparation.

REFERENCES

Ben-Arye, E., Dudai, N., Eini, A., Torem, M., Schiff, E., & Rakover, Y. (2010). Treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in primary care: a randomized study using aromatic herbs. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011.

Kallon, S., Li, X., Ji, J., Chen, C., Xi, Q., Chang, S.,… & Zhang, Y. (2013). Astragalus polysaccharide enhances immunity and inhibits H9N2 avian influenza virus in vitro and in vivo. Journal of animal science and biotechnology, 4(1), 1.

Mehreen, A., Waheed, M., Liaqat, I., & Arshad, N. (2016). Phytochemical, Antimicrobial And Toxicological Evaluation Of Traditional Herbs Used To Treat Sore Throat.

Nantz, M. P., Rowe, C. A., Muller, C. E., Creasy, R. A., Stanilka, J. M., & Percival, S. S. (2012). Supplementation with aged garlic extract
improves both NK and γδ-T cell function and reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention. Clinical Nutrition, 31(3),337-344.

Percival, S. S. (2016). Aged Garlic Extract Modifies Human Immunity. The Journal of Nutrition, 146(2), 433S-436S.

Serafino, A., et al. (2008). Stimulatory effect of the eucalyptus essential oil on innate cell-mediated immune response. Immunology. 17(9)

Tiralongo, E., Wee, S. S., & Lea, R. A. (2016). Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A
Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients, 8(4), 182.