Common cold or medically known as viral upper respiratory
tract infection is a common problem. It affects many children and adults on
daily basis. Common cold usually presents with runny nose, sore throat, mild
fever, sneezing and cough. Many health websites offer advice on natural
remedies for common cold. Is there any evidence behind those claims?
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Honey
Produced by bees, honey is full of vitamins and minerals.
This sweet liquid has been used for it’s medicinal properties since the age of
ancient Egypt.
Honey is also useful for those who are suffering from common
cold. Cough is a common symptoms and can be troubling, especially at night.
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A research by a group of scientists in Israel looked at 300 children
up to the age of 5 who had common cold. Some of them received different types
of honey 30 minutes before going to sleep, and their parents were asked to
comment on the quality of their children’s sleep and how severe was the cough.
In the research, parents found that those who were given honey 30 minutes
before sleep, had a better sleep quality and coughed lesser compared to others.
So there is sufficient evidence to suggest honey can be used
as an alternative to cough suppressant for children with common cold. Be sure
to use it 30 minutes before sleep.
“Honey may be a preferable treatment for the cough and sleep difficulty associated with childhood upper respiratory tract infection.”
Saltwater gargle
Salt water gargle has always been told as home remedy for
sore throat relief. Table salt, or scientifically known as sodium chloride is a
common household item. Unfortunately,
there is no evidence behind using salt water gargle. Salt has always been said
to have anti septic properties but no studies have been able to prove its usage
as mouth gargle. Other mouth washes
especially those containing essential oils, or povidone-iodine and chlorohexidine
have been heavily studied for other uses for example to be used in after
surgery. But mouthwashes do not appear to play a role in common cold. Steam inhalation
This is a popular method among us. Hot water often mixed
with essential oils are used for this. It is said to relieve the congested nose
and make breathing easier. The fact is that high temperature can effectively
reduce the growth of some viruses that can common cold. But is there any evidence?
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To search for evidence behind this, a group of scientists
from Cochrane looked at 6 researches done on this matter. Among these 6
researches, one specifically looked at the amount of virus present in the nose
in those given steam inhalation compared to those who weren’t. The research did
not report any difference between them. In terms of relief of congestion and
pain, some studies reported benefits and some did not. So the authors concluded
that “there is not enough evidence to support steam inhalation for the common
cold.”
But all the 6 researches done on this issue did not include
children. So is it effective in children? We don’t know. But it’s best to be
careful when using steam inhalation in children. There are many reports on
scalds and burn injury.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a popular common cold remedy among us. Many
believe taking vitamin C everyday can prevent and treat common cold. Cochrane
reviewers looked at this claim by pooling all the researches done on this
matter. They found 29 researches on this. Based on these 29 researches
involving 11,306 patients with common cold, 0.2g of Vitamin C regularly was not
sufficient in preventing common cold.
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What about treating it? Will taking 0.2g of Vitamin C treat
common cold? Unfortunately it doesn’t. After the onset of symptoms, starting
Vitamin C shows no effect on the severity and duration of common cold,
according to the Cochrane researchers. But the same research also says that 8g
of Vitamin C might be able to reduce common cold if taken after the cough and
runny nose start.
For comparison, one orange fruit contains 45mg to 60mg of
Vitamin C. To get the curative effect of Vitamin C, one has to take 130 to 180
orange fruits per day. The easier method would be to buy the Vitamin C tablets.
One Vitamin C tablet normally had 500mg vitamin C.
The only proven benefit of Vitamin C in regard to common
cold is that, regularly taking Vitamin C supplement at 200mg per day reduces
the seriousness of common cold if you get it. So for example taking 3 orange fruits
per day or half Vitamin C tablet per day will be helpful if you often get
common cold.
"regularly taking Vitamin C supplement at 200mg per day reduces the seriousness of common cold if you get it."
Conclusion
Common cold is caused by viruses. The main treatment is
symptomatic; taking enough rest, drinking sufficient fluids, fever reducing
medications, and prevention of spread. Most people recover in 2 weeks but cough
might last up to a month. The only home remedy with evidence for common cold is
Honey which is proven to reduce night time cough during common cold.
For further reading
Honey for acute cough in children
Vitamin C and common cold
Steam inhalation for common cold
Honey
& Cough
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