Treating Colds Without Drugs... It CAN Be Done!

A few weeks ago, my dear husband came down with a cold. And being the generous man that he is, was inclined to share it with me. Sure enough, just about one week later, I woke up with a headache and a scratchy throat.

There is no cure for the common cold, only remedies. And, as with any potential illness, the best remedy is a strong immune system. Cold symptoms can last up to two weeks, and while your body's fighting those germs, you will likely be looking for something to make you feel better.

Doctors these days go straight to the drug counter with their recommendations, bypassing natural remedies completely. And when Mark came down sick, his knee-jerk reaction was to bring home NyQuil. I wasn't too hard on him because only last year, I was doing the same thing.

And (just so you know) when you take NyQuil, here's what you're putting in your body:

NYQUIL

• Acetaminophen 650 mg (How do feel about your liver?) Once thought to be the "safe" alternative to aspirin, this pain reliever is turning out to be a real trouble-maker. Take it sparingly if ever and with great caution.
• Dextromethorphan HBr 30 mg (a cough suppressant)
• Doxylamine succinate 12.5 mg (an antihistamine - it blocks the runny nose, sneezing and water eyes)
• Acesulfame potassium (a chemical sweetener) This substance contains methylene chloride, a known carcinogen.
• Alcohol (no explanation required)
• FD&C Blue No. 1 (unnecessary and potentially harmful dye)
• FD&C Red No. 40 (how do you feel about tumors and lymphoma?)
• Flavor (chemical)
• High fructose corn syrup (metabolized in the liver, this sweetener should be avoided)
• Polyethylene glycol (used to treat constipation!)
• Propylene glycol (a form of mineral oil, usually used as a solvent) FDA "GRAS" (generally regarded as safe) if you are comforted by the FDA's track record of safety.
• Saccharin sodium (a chemical sweetener)
• Sodium citrate (used to make the urine more acidic, also helps to neutralize gastric hydrachloric acid)

DAYQUIL

• Acetaminophen 325 mg (see above)
• Dextromethorphan Hbr 10 mg (cough suppressant)
• Phenylephrine HCI 5 mg (decongestant) May cause headache, restlessness, and cardiac arrhythmia. But you won't be stuffed up.
• FD&C Yellow No. 6 (Danger, Will Robinson!)
• Flavor (who knows what this is)
• Glycerin (sweetener)
• Propylene glycol (see above)
• Saccharin sodium (chemical sweetener)
• Sodium benzoate (a preservative that promotes cancer and kills healthy cells)
• Sodium chloride (salt)
• Sodium citrate (see above)
• Sorbitol (a sugar alcohol)
• Sucralose (chemical sweetener) marketed as Splenda, 
• Xanthan gum (thickener) I hate this stuff - it's in everything!

But what did people do before the age of NyQuil? They relied on the power of herbs and fruit, and (of course) chicken soup.

I'm happy to report that in our enlightened 21st century, there are plenty of resources to find traditional remedies, and my local natural foods store was well-stocked. These are what I used to relieve my symptoms during the five or six days I was under the weather...

• Elderberry syrup - No side effects. Elderberry syrup has long been know as a remedy for colds, flu, and sinus infections. It helps to relieve congestion by decreasing mucous production. Even WebMD grudgingly acknowledges the benefits of this powerful little fruit. It is thought to strengthen the immune system by increasing the body's production of proteins called cytokines. The only down side is that elderberry syrup tastes a little like prune juice, so wash it down with a tall glass of water.  
• Vitamin C - No side effects. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Supplements have been shown to reduce cellular DNA damage and oxidative damage caused by inflammation. The human body does not have the ability to make our own vitamin C, as we can with vitamin D. So we have to get it from our food. How much do we need? Well, researchers have determined that animals with the capability of making their own vitamin C (which include most animals except guinea pigs, apes, and us) make about 30 mg per kilo of body weight. That works out to about 2 grams a day, assuming normal, healthy conditions. When we're sick, or under stress, we need much more. 
• Vitamin D3 - No side effect. I threw this in not because it's especially good for colds, because it should be part of everyone's vitamin supplement regimen--be you sick or healthy. Vitamin D has so many benefits, rather than list them here, check out this link on WebMD: Vitamin D. It is so critical to good health, it is synthesized in the body just by getting out in the sun--without sunscreen. What? you don't get out in the sun without sunscreen? You are most likely deficient. According to the NIH (National Institutes of Health), you may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency if you're in one of these groups:  you're an older adult; you're a person with limited sun exposure (i.e., you live in Minnesota or Seattle); you have dark skin; you have some kind of inflammatory bowel disease; you are obese or have had gastric bypass surgery. And here's one they didn't include-- you don't get enough fat in your diet. Vitamin D is fat-soluble, so if you're a vegetarian or a chronic low-fat dieter, you're probably not absorbing any vitamin D supplements you may be taking.
• Essential oils for sinus congestion - No side effects. A preparation of rosemary, eucalyptus, and peppermint essential oils carried in olive oil. I applied this to the inside of my nostrils with a Q-tip and rubbed it into my wrists and temples at night. It kept me clear and breathing easy.
• Echinacea - No side effects. Echinacea is an herb derived from the American Cone Flower. It was used by Native Americans to treat colds and headaches before Europeans arrived on the scene. A study by the University of Connecticut in 2007 found that taking Echinacea supplements can reduce the chances of catching a cold by 58% and if you do get a cold, it can shorten the duration by an average of 1.4 days. Of course, there are also studies that show no effect whatsoever. On the other hand, keep in mind that taking over-the-counter cold "remedies" do absolutely nothing to reduce either your chance of catching a cold or the duration of that cold if you do get it. 
• Chicken bone broth - No side effects (...and tastey!) Even the Mayo Clinic lists chicken soup as a cold remedy that works. And there is actually a scientific reason why it does. Believe it or not, chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties. Who knew? By making the chicken broth from the bones with a little apple cider vinegar, you also get the benefit of added minerals and gelatin for bone and joint health.

And, speaking of apple cider vinegar, as I was researching this article, I ran across another cold remedy with high marks for success... yes, apple cider vinegar! A tablespoon each of apple cider vinegar and honey in a glass of warm water is said to do wonders. I'll try it next time... there's always a next time.

As a matter of fact, I just spent 4 hours on a crowded airplane next to a mother and her three children who spent the entire time hacking and sneezing and spreading their germs without regard to their fellow passengers. It brought back the horrifying scene in the book "Hot Zone" where the man carrying the deadly Ebola virus, unbeknownst to himself or anyone else, gets on an airplane with three hundred other people and for the next eight hours manages to infect an entire plane full of people. But I digress. The point is, getting a cold is a regular part of life for most of us. But we don't have to automatically reach for a bottle of the latest toxic blend being offered by your local pharmacy.

You still can't cure the common cold, but you can make it easier to live with and at the same time strengthen your immune system so that the next time someone sneezes in your face, you just may be among that 58% who walks away unscathed.