Scientists and researchers continue to evaluate various treatments for colds. There are thousands of published studies regarding alternative medicine and cold prevention. More research is published almost daily. One of the obstacles that researchers face is the fact that some people may be infected with a cold virus and never have symptoms, some quickly recover without treatment, and others have symptoms up to two weeks. The cause or causes of these differences among people cannot be fully explained.
An average person has two or more colds per year. In children, as a rule, more. The cold is the main reason for the lack of schools and visits to the doctor. There are no effective prescription drugs for treating colds. Antibiotics prevent or kill viral infections. Although the common cold is not a serious disease, it can lead to losses at work and at school and can lead to bacterial infections of the sinuses, throat and respiratory system, so many researchers believe that studying the effects of vitamins, alternative medicine and the common cold is a worthwhile effort. .
Treating colds with zinc nasal sprays or gels has been the subject of several studies and is somewhat controversial. Some scientists and researchers believe that applying zinc directly to the nasal membranes can lead to permanent loss of smell. In fact, one group of people sued the company because they lost their sense of smell after using a zinc nasal spray. Zinc cakes are also available and are not considered to be a side effect associated with a nasal spray, but they are only effective for reducing the duration of cold symptoms in about 50% of people who use them.
Many studies have been conducted on vitamin C as an alternative medicine and common cold. Some of these studies conclude that vitamin C can reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms. Others show that it is an effective prevention. Still others conclude that vitamin C is not effective in treating common colds or in preventing them.
A study in Helsinki, Finland, reported a 28% reduction in the overall frequency of cold supplemented with vitamin E, but a subsequent study did not confirm initial results. Vitamin E seems to prevent colds in some people, but is not effective for treating colds. These types of studies do not take into account the fact that some people do not seem to catch cold as easily as others. Therefore, the results are not reliable.
Even acupuncture has been studied as alternative medicine and the common cold. Some researchers believe that acupuncture can be a reliable fever reducer. Echinacea is often recommended by herbalists as an alternative medicine and common cold. However, some researchers believe that Echinacea may be toxic to the liver with prolonged use and therefore should not be used as a prophylactic agent.
Focusing on preventing, rather than treating, symptoms of the common cold usually leads to boosters of the immune system. Andrographis paniculata is a herb that is used in traditional medicine throughout Europe and Asia, both in prevention and in treatment. Laboratory tests have shown that it has very low toxicity even in large quantities and is an effective alternative medicine and cold. For more information about Andrographis paniculata and other stimulants of the natural immune system, visit www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.
