This year, millions of Americans will develop a cold and 5-20 percent of people will develop the flu. While these viral illnesses differ in severity—the flu can lead to hospitalization whereas a cold generally does not cause serious health complications—the best method of prevention is identical for both. To avoid getting sick, wash your hands diligently and—if you happen to get sick—cover your mouth with a sleeve instead of a hand when coughing to prevent your illness. In addition, everyone six months and older should receive a flu shot.
Once you have contracted a cold or flu, are over-the-counter or prescription medications always the best treatment method? Natural remedies—non-medicinal treatments that include vitamins, herbs and herbal supplements, and alternative treatments like acupuncture—may be adequate. Lee Coleman Hinnant, MD, a family medicine physician at Mount Sinai Doctors-Stuyvesant Town, explains when natural remedies are acceptable alternatives and when conventional medicine is the best bet.
What natural remedies can I use to treat a cold?
Zinc lozenges taken within 24 hours of cold symptoms may reduce the duration of a cold in adults. The effectiveness has not been proven in children. While effective for colds, zinc should not be taken long-term due to potential drug interactions and gastrointestinal side effects. Intranasal zinc should not be used as there is a risk of a permanent loss of smell.
Honey may be helpful in reducing nighttime cough in children and adults. It should never be used in children under one due to a risk for botulism.
Keep in mind that while these remedies may be effective in treating your illness, most colds are minor and will resolve within a week.
Since the flu can cause more severe symptoms, is it ever appropriate to treat naturally?
No. No natural or herbal remedies have been proven effective for the flu. The flu can land you in bed for a week or more with fevers, aches, and a severe cough. Within the first 48 hours of these symptoms, you should be seen by a doctor, as you may be a candidate for an antiviral medicine such as Tamiflu which can lessen the duration and severity of the illness.
What other natural remedies have been proven effective?
Studies show that meditation as a daily practice reduces the number of colds and their duration. This is mainly because meditation reduces stress which suppresses the immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Exercise is also effective in this manner, but less so than meditation.
In healthy people, several studies showed that probiotics may reduce the number of colds a person contracts per year. Patients with health conditions should consult a physician before taking probiotics as there is a potential risk for infections.
Are there natural remedies that have been proven ineffective or harmful?
Yes. Vitamin C has not been proven helpful in the general population for cold prevention or treatment; however, it has been proven to reduce colds in half for those who pursue strenuous exercise like marathons or skiing.
Echinacea, which has commonly been used for cold prevention, is likely safe, but has not been proven effective.
American ginseng may reduce the duration of colds, but it needs to be taken daily over long periods of time and may cause side effects like interfering with blood thinners, so it is generally not recommended.
Lee Coleman Hinnant, MD
Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Dr. Hinnant is a family medicine physician at Mount Sinai Doctors-Stuyvesant Town with a specialty in Integrative Medicine and Functional Medicine.
If you remain ill after getting your flu shot or trying these natural remedies, please consult a physician. Mount Sinai Doctors-Stuyvesant Town cares for the whole family and is currently welcoming new patients.