Before you run to the medicine cabinet and start rifling through pills, consider what's in your kitchen cupboards that might ease your cold and flu symptoms. Here's a quick guide to treatments, ranging from scientifically researched therapies to traditional natural folk remedies.
Probiotics
Healthy gut bacteria, or probiotics, may help reduce the severity and duration of colds and flu. Supplements, yogurt and kefir are three ways to add probiotics to your diet. (1, 2)
Supplements: Take one or two capsules of probiotics a day, or ¼ teaspoon of probiotic powder twice a day.
Yogurt: Eat one or two cups of yogurt a day. Recommended brands include: Nancy’s, Brown Cow, Stoneyfield Farms, Dannon Activa and Organic Valley.
Kefir: This probiotic cultured milk drink is available at health food stores.
Homeopathics
Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic medicine that has been shown to improve the recovery rate from influenza-like syndromes within 48 hours of administration. (3)
To administer, put the contents of one tube of oscillococcinum in your mouth and let it dissolve. Take once every six hours, up to three times a day.
Echinacea
Echinacea is an American plant that has been used for centuries to treat colds and flu. The scientific evidence so far is mixed, but anecdotal reports are enthusiastic (4, 5) and a new study is promising.
Echinacea may reduce the severity of symptoms in people with naturally acquired upper-respiratory-tract infections.
Take one teaspoon of Echinacea liquid herbal extract three times daily for one to two weeks.
Elder flower
Elder flower (or elderberry) has demonstrated anti-viral properties and may reduce mucus production.
One study found that an elderberry extract (Sambucol) may improve flu-like symptoms in less than half the time that it normally takes to get over the flu. (6)
Try Sambucol Pro or other liquid elderberry herbal products. Adult dose: one teaspoon three times daily for one to two weeks.
Zinc
Zinc may boost anti-viral activity and be effective in reducing the duration of colds and flu. Lozenges that contain zinc gluconate seem to be the best choice. (7, 8)
Look for Cold-Eze or other lozenges that contain 13 mg of zinc gluconate per dose. Take every two hours during the day for a maximum of one week.
Note: Zinc bothers some people’s stomachs. If this happens to you, take zinc with a healthy snack (such as fresh fruit) or a meal.
Vitamin C
Most studies on vitamin C have shown no benefit in fighting colds and flu. However, anecdotal reports are enthusiastic. (9)
Try 500 to 1000 mg three to four times daily for a week.
Vitamin C may work better when taken in combination with 200 IU/daily of vitamin E.
Chocolate
Chocolate has antioxidant properties and may help lessen coughing. (10)
Try ½ ounce of dark chocolate (70 percent or greater cocoa content) three times a day.
Herbal tea
For thousands of years, people have created teas to soothe cold symptoms.
Here's a recipe for Dr. Miles Hassell's Lemonand Honey Forte to ease coughs, especially at night: Thinly slice a whole washed lemon with the peel and stuff it into a Thermos. Pour in a big blob of honey (to taste), maybe a drop of Tabasco or two (to taste) and/or a slice of ginger. Fill with boiling water, let it cool a bit, and then sip frequently.
Chicken soup
Yes, generations of grandmothers are right – the research on chicken soup for cold and flu therapy backs them up.
One study includes a recipe that was shown to inhibit the migration of neutrophils – white blood cells that fight bacterial infections.
The warm liquid is believed to stimulate nasal clearance. (11)
