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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1. Honey
Produced by bees, honey is full of vitamins and minerals. This sweet liquid has been
used for its 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.
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 childrens 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.
In another research, a group of
scientists from Pennsylvania State
University treated 105 children with
common cold with either honey or
regular cough syrup(dextromethorphan). At the end of the research, they concluded
that Honey may be a preferable treatment for the cough and sleep difficulty
associated with childhood upper respiratory tract infection.
A major review by Cochrane (highest level of evidence) looked at 3 researches done
which studied 568 children with common cold. Compared with
diphenhydramine(Benadryl) and no treatment, Honey was found to be better at
reducing cough in children with common cold.
So there is sufficient evidence to suggest honey can be used as an alternative to
2Pixabay cough suppressant for children with common cold.
Be sure to use it 30 minutes before sleep.
2. 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.
3. 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 does it have any benefit?
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 werent. 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 dont know. But its best to be careful when using steam inhalation
in children. There are many reports on scalds and burn injury.
4. 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.
What about treating it? Will taking 0.2g of Vitamin C treat common cold?
Unfortunately it doesnt. 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.
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
1. Honey for acute cough in children
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22419319
2. Vitamin C and common cold
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23440782

3. Steam inhalation for common cold

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23733382

4. Honey & Cough

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18056558