Educate yourself about alternative medical treatments available for specific diseases and conditions. This site is presented to help you research alternative medical treatments, natural and herbal remedies and different ways of thinking about how to solve specific medical problems.  Please read our disclaimer.

Alternative Treatments for Colds & Flu

Alternative treatments for colds have been used by people in other cultures for many years.  Some treatments are very effective for some people.  Others may only work because the patient believes they will work, much like the way placebos sometimes work in medical experiments.  However, we believe that the more you know about the options, the more you will be able to make intelligent, informed decisions about the medical treatment, which may be right for you and your particular medical conditions.  Please read our disclaimer.

About Common Colds and the Flu

The common cold is a very contagious upper respiratory disease that generally lasts in its entirety for a week or two. During this time such symptoms as fatigue, a sore throat, a runny nose, cough, headaches and muscle aches or weakness exist. It is common in adults to have two or four colds a year and in children for them to experience up to ten colds a year. Colds in rapid succession and with prolonged healing periods can sometimes indicate a suppressed immune system and are cause for more concern. Further, accompanying fever may signal a more serious condition, often influenza. Common colds are caused by many different, yet related viruses. The presence of so many varied viruses, however, prevent a person from gaining complete immunity to the common cold and makes the search for a cure difficult. The recurrence and universality of the illness has led to innumerous remedies with varying degrees of efficacy. Some of the more effective cures and aids are listed here.

• Prevention is perhaps the best remedy to common colds, though it can never be 100% effective. The common cold is transmitted through aerosol particles that result from the coughing or sneezing of an infected person or from the contact of saliva and nasal secretions of an infected person. These points remind us of the necessity to avoid close contact with those who may have a cold and the necessity of consistently washing our hands and maintaining good hygiene. It may seem trivial when we’re healthy, but it rarely does seem too demanding when we’re not.
   
• Remember that one of the most important things you can do when you have a common cold is to remain hydrated. Hydration allows your body to expel the contaminants in your body more quickly, but is also important in preventing the dehydration that commonly occurs with colds and exaggerates their symptoms. It may be most convenient to simply ensure that you always have a glass of water by you and to sip from it throughout the day. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, partially as they are diuretics that will increase the amount of fluid expelled from your body.
   
• At the onset of a cold, before it has actually taken hold, if you eat a whole garlic, the chances are great that the cold will never develop.  To make this procedure easier to handle, roast the garlic (one large whole garlic with multiple cloves, not just one clove) at 400 degrees for about an hour and eat the roasted insides on a cracker.  You don't eat the papery skin, just the pulp.  It's not easy to do, but it works very well.  It seems to have no effect, however, if the cold is in full bloom.
   
• Echinacea is a type of flower find in North America, whose consumption has been shown by many studies to diminish the symptoms and duration of the common cold. No efficacy in preventing colds has been demonstrated, however. It is often considered beneficial to take some form of Echinacea at the onset of a cold.
   
• Don’t push yourself, and ensure that you are getting adequate amounts of rest. While it is not necessary to stay bed-ridden if you feel up to activities, it is important to not over-exert yourself. Try to incorporate some relaxing activities into your day such as reading or watching a movie and make sure you get plenty of rest.
   
• Chicken soup has long been a remedy for the common cold, and the effects have been backed up by numerous studies. Chicken soup has been shown to act as an anti-inflammatory and the steam can help to loosen the mucus in the nose and throat.
   
• Gargling warm salt water is widely known to help relieve the symptoms of a sore throat.
   
• Small amounts of zinc can help to relieve the symptoms of colds in many people. Lozenges are available that contain zinc between 10 and 25 mg and can help to relieve sore throats. While zinc can be helpful, it is important to take it for a short amount of time and never use it to excess, as long-term and large doses of zinc can present complications and health risks.
   
• Herbal teas, including chamomile, ginger and licorice, are known for their abilities to help combat respiratory infections. Teas can help soothe a sore throat, their heat and steam can help to release mucus and many people believe in their immune-system stimulating abilities.
   
• Avoid or stop smoking when experiencing a common cold, or other upper respiratory tract infection. The reasons are obvious for lung-related colds, as smoke will irritate the chest further. Smoking also diminishes the body’s ability to flush out bacteria in the lungs and can exaggerate a sore throat.
   

Have questions about Alternative Treatments?

We recommend that you review the information about physical therapy on this website, look at the alternative medical treatments on the appropriate websites, do your own independent research, talk with your doctor or other medical professional and learn as much as you can before making the decision that is right for you.  We are not qualified to answer medical, behavioral or health related questions, so please do not ask.