“Curing” a common cold
1. Old recipes and methods – WARNING – these could well be poisonous/harmful – they are included for interest not as a suggestion !

· Lady Mary Ffilips – A Recept for a Cold   Circa 1700
To a pint of spring water slice some Turnips and Pippins,
Cut of Elecampane & Licorish each half an ounce
It must boyle half away with a slow fire, then strain it, afterward boyle it to a sirop with sugar candy

· Cold – To cure a Cold – Consult me 1902
Take one handful of Yarrow, half an ounce of ginger root, bruised, or a teaspoonful of cayenne pepper, and about three pints of water. Boil to one pint. Add a little sugar if you like.
Take a dose at bed-time, and your cold will be cured by morning; if not, repeat the dose (!)

· To remove a cold – Consult me 1902
To remove a cold restore the perspiration. Take a decoction of the sudorific herbs, as catnep, pennyroyal, yarrow or angelica. Place the feet in warm water before going to bed. Give a basin of hot gruel, and let the patient drink of the herb tea.
 
2. Current alternative cold cures are suggested as follows:

· GARLIC
Prophylactic use of garlic is claimed to help prevent common cold and influenza infections and this action may be due to some antimicrobial action of garlic. A sulphur containing compound, Ajoene, derived from garlic, has been shown to have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and is also reported have some antiviral and antiprotozoal activity.

Folk lore tells us that the native Americans used this plant to treat coughs, colds and sore throats.There is some scientific evidence which indicates that Echinacea does affect our immune system by stimulating the activity of white blood cells. Lozenges containing Echinacea may help prevent infection by boosting the immune system . the development of symptoms.

· ZINC
Zinc is important in the diet as a trace element as over 80 enzymes are known to require zinc for their normal activity. Zinc also plays a role in the synthesis of proteins and zinc ions have been shown to inhibit viral replication in the test tube by inhibiting the synthesis of the proteins which form the viral shell . It has also been proposed that zinc medications may coat the common cold viruses such as the rhinovirus and prevent them from attaching to the nasal cells .
· Zinc and common cold
The use of zinc lozenges to treat the common cold was first considered by George Eby who found that treatment with a zinc gluconate lozenge shortened the duration of common cold symptoms. The original positive finding by Eby was followed by a series of clinical trials on zinc lozenges of various formulations and containing different amounts of free zinc.
Recent research indicates that early treatment of common cold with zinc lozenges may shorten the duration of common cold symptoms by several days. However, there are several clinical trials that have reported that zinc lozenges are no more effective than placebo medicines. The difference between clinical trials may be related to different formulations of zinc lozenge.

· Antioxidants can help alleviate symptoms
Antioxidant compounds such as ascorbate from vitamin C and components of garlic such as Allicin can have a beneficial effect by limiting the damage caused by excess oxidising agents. There are numerous garlic preparations available but Allicin is present only in garlic powder and fresh garlic but not in garlic oil or macerated garlic. Large doses of Vitamin C (1-2 grammes a day) are required in order to provide any useful antioxidant activity and it is unlikely that the small doses of vitamin C in many common cold medications provide any real benefit to the patient.