| Supplement |
Amount |
Why |
|
Andrographis
|
100 mg of a standardized extract two times per day
|
[3 stars]
Andrographis contains bitter constituents that are believed to have immune-stimulating and anti-inflammatory actions. |
|
|
|
Vitamin C
|
1 to 4 grams daily |
[3 stars]
Studies have shown that taking vitamin C may make your cold shorter and less severe. |
|
|
|
Zinc Lozenges
|
Use 13 to 25 mg as gluconate, gluconate-glycine, or acetate in lozenges every two hours |
[3 stars]
Zinc lozenges used at the first sign of a cold have been shown to help stop the virus and shorten the illness. |
|
|
|
American Ginseng
|
400 mg per day of a freeze-dried extract |
[2 stars]
In a double-blind study, supplementing with American ginseng significantly reduced the number of colds that people experienced over a four-month period. |
|
|
|
Garlic
|
Follow label instructions to take a product containing stabilized allicin |
[2 stars]
In one study, taking garlic during the winter months reduced the occurrence and duration of colds. |
|
|
|
Geranium
|
Take a product containing stabilized allicin and follow label instructions
|
[2 stars]
Geranium is an herbal remedy used in Germany, Mexico, Russia, and other countries in the treatment of respiratory tract and ear, nose, and throat infections. |
|
|
|
Probiotics
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[2 stars]
A double-blind trial showed that daily supplementation with with a probiotic may decreas the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in children.
|
|
|
|
Throat Coat Tea (Marshmallow Root, Licorice Root, and Elm Bark)
|
5 to 8 ounces of tea, four to six times per day, for two to seven days |
[2 stars]
In one study, Throat Coat tea was effective in providing rapid, temporary relief of sore throat pain in people with acute pharyngitis. |
|
|
|
Vitamin D
|
300 IU per day for three months in winter |
[2 stars]
Research suggests that supplementing with vitamin D may prevent upper respiratory tract infections in people who are deficient in the vitamin, but not in those who have normal vitamin D status.
|
|
|
|
Zinc Oral
|
For prevention: 15 mg daily; for treating colds: 30 mg daily at the onset |
[2 stars]
In one study, oral zinc supplementation significantly reduced both the incidence and duration of the common cold. |
|
|
|
Asian Ginseng
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Adaptogens such as Asian ginseng are thought to help keep various body systems—including the immune system—functioning optimally. |
|
|
|
Astragalus
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Adaptogens such as astragalus are thought to help keep various body systems—including the immune system—functioning optimally. |
|
|
|
Blackberry
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Blackberry leaves contain astringent tannins that are helpful for soothing sore throats. |
|
|
|
Blueberry
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Blueberry leaves contain astringent tannins that are helpful for soothing sore throats. |
|
|
|
Boneset
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Boneset is an immune stimulant and diaphoretic that helps fight off minor viral infections, such as the common cold. |
|
|
|
Chinese Artichoke
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners use Chinese artichoke for colds and flu. |
|
|
|
Elderberry
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Elderberry has shown antiviral activity and may benefit some people with common colds. Elder flowers are a traditional remedy for helping to break fevers and promote sweating during a cold.
|
|
|
|
Eleuthero
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Adaptogens such as eleuthero are thought to help keep various body systems—including the immune system—functioning optimally. |
|
|
|
Eucalyptus Oil
|
Eucalyptus oil |
[1 star]
Eucalyptus oil is often used in a steam inhalation to help clear nasal and sinus congestion. |
|
|
|
Goldenseal
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Goldenseal root has antimicrobial and mild immune-stimulating effects. It soothes irritated mucous membranes in the throat, making it potentially useful for sore throats. |
|
|
|
Goldthread
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Goldthread contains berberine, an alkaloid with antimicrobial and mild immune-stimulating effects. |
|
|
|
Horseradish
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Horseradish has antibiotic properties, which may account for its usefulness in easing throat and upper respiratory tract infections. |
|
|
|
Hyssop
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Hyssop may promote a healthy fever and the immune system’s ability to fight infections. |
|
|
|
Linden
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Linden may promote a healthy fever and the immune system’s ability to fight infections. |
|
|
|
Malvia
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Herbs high in mucilage, such as malvia, are often helpful for relief of coughs and irritated throats. |
|
|
|
Marshmallow
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Herbs high in mucilage, such as marshmallow, are often helpful for relief of coughs and irritated throats. |
|
|
|
Meadowsweet
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Meadowsweet is reputed to break fevers and to promote sweating during a cold or flu. It also has a mild anti-inflammatory effect and a pain-relieving effect. |
|
|
|
Mullein
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Mullein has soothing and mucus-expelling properties, which accounts for its historical use as a remedy for irritating coughs with bronchial congestion. |
|
|
|
Myrrh
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
The resin of the herb myrrh has been shown to kill various microbes and to stimulate macrophages (a type of white blood cell). |
|
|
|
Peppermint
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Peppermint, a source of small amounts of menthol, is believed to work by acting on receptors in the nasal mucous membranes, leading to a reduction of nasal stuffiness. |
|
|
|
Red Raspberry
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Red raspberry leaves contain astringent tannins that are helpful for soothing sore throats. |
|
|
|
Sage
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Sage tea may be gargled to soothe a sore throat. |
|
|
|
Schisandra
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Adaptogens such as schisandra are thought to help keep various body systems—including the immune system—functioning optimally. |
|
|
|
Sea Buckthorn
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Sea buckthorn has been shown in animal studies to have immune system-enhancing and anti-inflammatory properties, though a clinical trial did not find benefit.
|
|
|
|
Slippery Elm
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Herbs high in mucilage, such as slippery elm, are often helpful for relief of coughs and irritated throats. |
|
|
|
Usnea
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Usnea has a traditional reputation as an antiseptic and is sometimes used for people with common colds. |
|
|
|
Wild Indigo
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Wild indigo appears to stimulate immune function and is considered a strong antimicrobial agent. In tinctures with echinacea, boneset, white cedar, and homeopathic arnica, it also has prevented and reduced colds.
|
|
|
|
Wood Betony
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners use Chinese artichoke, a species similar to wood betony, for colds and flu. |
|
|
|
Yarrow
|
Refer to label instructions
|
[1 star]
Yarrow is a diaphoretic herb that has been used for relief of sore throats. |
|
|
|
Zinc Nasal Spray
|
Not recommended due to a potenially serious side effect
|
Zinc nasal sprays appear to be effective at shortening the duration of cold symptoms, however, some people have experienced long-lasting or permanent loss of smell after using the spray. |
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