The Common Cold

Botanical and Other Natural Therapies

Astragalus membranaceus. This root extract has been shown to have beneficial antioxidant, immune-modulating, and cardiovascular effects. It may improve lymphocyte function and increase IL-2 activity (Liu ZG et al 2003; Peng T et al 1995; Sun Y et al 1983; Wang DC 1989; Zhao XZ 1992). A preparation using A. membranaceus has been used to treat pneumonia in children. The authors believe it is beneficial because of its free radical-scavenging ability (Zong PP et al 1993).

Sambucus nigra. Also called black elderberry, S. nigra has been shown to have antiviral properties and is commonly used to treat colds or flu. Studies have shown that elderberry can increase production of inflammatory cytokines, which may stimulate the immune response and enable the immune system to work faster at destroying the viral load (Barak V et al 2001) . A component of S. nigra has also been shown to bind to sialic acid receptors in the nasal mucosa, which is the same site used by the influenza virus for attachment (Ueno K et al 1997). Multiple studies have shown that people with influenza who supplemented with S. nigra experienced improvement in symptoms in 2 days, whereas recovery took at least 6 days in the control group (Zakay-Rones Z et al 1995; Zakay-Rones Z et al 2004). No adverse effects have been reported in clinical trials.

Garlic. With all the high-tech advances occurring in medicine, garlic would appear to be a relic of the past. Yet the scientific literature documents that garlic has powerful effects against certain viruses.

For instance, one recent study tested one capsule daily of an allicin-containing garlic supplement (like Pure Gar) from November through February on a group of 146 volunteers (Josling P 2001). Half the group received the garlic while the unfortunate other half got a placebo. The placebo group had 63 percent more common cold infections compared to the garlic group. Even more significant, those in the garlic group who did catch a cold had symptoms for an average of only 1.52 days compared to 5.01 days for the placebo group.

The doctors who conducted this garlic study concluded the following: “An allicin-containing supplement can prevent attack by the common cold virus.” Considering the number of people afflicted with a cold each year, this should have been the lead news story of the day. The study was buried in a scientific journal while the medical establishment still states that there is no cure for the common cold.

Ribavirin is a prescription drug that has potent antiviral effects (Cattral MS et al 1996; Christie JM et al 1999; da Silva LC et al 2002; de Ledinghen V et al 2002; Di Bisceglie AM et al 1995; Fried MW et al 2002; Galban GE et al 2000; Kumada H 2002; Murphy ME et al 2000; Reichard O et al 1998; Schalm SW et al 1997a; Schalm SW et al 1997b; Schalm SW et al 1999; Schvarcz R et al 1995). Yet a Chinese study showed that (at least in the test tube), garlic is more effective than ribavirin in inhibiting viruses that attack the intestinal tract (Luo R et al 2001). The Life Extension Foundation has recommended ribavirin to treat various viral infections since 1983 but, in this particular study, garlic was shown to be superior.

A number of published studies indicate that both high-allicin garlic (such as Pure Gar) and aged garlic (such as Kyolic aged garlic) support healthy immune function while exerting antiviral effects (Guo NL et al 1993; Josling P 2001; Kyo E et al 2001; Liu ZF et al 2004; Moon DG et al 2000; Tsai Y et al 1985; Weber ND et al 1992). Garlic, a low-cost alternative, may be nature's most powerful weapon against certain viruses.

Andrographis paniculata. This herb is a traditional remedy used in India and Asia as a broad-spectrum natural antibiotic and immune system stimulator to treat bacterial, viral, and parasitic conditions. Multiple studies have shown the efficacy of A. paniculata against the common cold (Coon JT et al 2004; Poolsup N et al 2004). This herb has been shown to stimulate phagocytosis (antigen cell destruction) and increase proliferation of white blood cells (Puri A et al 1993). Studies indicate that A. paniculata decreases the duration and severity of cold symptoms, such as fatigue, sore throat, and nasal secretions (Caceres DD et al 1999).

Lactoferrin. It is well-known that infants obtain protection against certain infections from components contained in mother's milk. One such component is lactoferrin, which has well-documented immune-potentiating effects (Shin K et al 2005; Swart PJ et al 1998; Waarts BL et al 2005). Lactoferrin may boost natural killer cell activity and can kill certain viruses (Swart PJ et al 1998; Waarts BL et al 2005). Lactoferrin may stimulate macrophages, which in turn may help to induce cell-mediated immunity. Although many of the studies are on animals, lactoferrin is naturally present in many mucous membrane secretions in people, suggesting an innate human antimicrobial function (Nishiya K et al 1982; Zimecki M et al 2002).

A recent study showed that lactoferrin inhibits viral infection by interfering with the ability of certain viruses to bind to cell receptor sites (Waarts BL et al 2005).

Propolis. Before the discovery of antibiotics, honey was used in the fight against bacteria. The antibacterial effects of this folk remedy have since been confirmed by studies ( Lusby PE et al 2005). In addition, in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that bee propolis has an inhibitory effect on the growth and adherence of streptococci bacteria, and that propolis has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties (Cohen HA et al 2004; Duarte S et al 2003; Mirzoeva OK et al 1996; Serkedjieva J et al 1992; Szmeja Z et al 1989). One study demonstrated that propolis decreased the duration of the common cold to just a few days. This study showed that the symptoms in the propolis treatment group improved 2.5 times faster than in the placebo group (Szmeja Z et al 1989). Warning: Honey should NEVER be given to a child under 1 year of age; there is a significant risk of potentially fatal botulism. This risk vanishes in older children and adults.