When you catch a cold or an infection, it is very natural to want to get rid of your cold quickly. The average duration of a cold is between five and ten days and this all depends on the strength of our immune system and how quickly it can respond. The common cold is a group of upper respiratory concerns caused by viruses which is why antibiotics should not be prescribed, since they will not work.

The most common viruses responsible for a cold are rhinovirus and coronavirus, although there are around two hundred types of viruses which may cause a common cold. Symptoms of a common cold include a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, nasal congestion, sore throat, lethargy, mild cough and itching of the throat.¹

Natural remedies to get rid of a cold

Typically, the worst symptoms of a cold last for three days, though you can feel congestion for up to seven days which can be draining. It makes sense to get rid of the cold quickly because who wants to live with these symptoms.

My first recommendation would be to use Viridian Nutrition’s Horseradish & Garlic Complex. This supplement contains horseradish extract, garlic, buffered vitamin C and zinc, all known for their role in reducing the duration of a cold. Horseradish contains volatile oils which enhance circulation, aid digestion, reduce nasal congestion and help warm the body. Garlic helps support the immune system and is known for its antimicrobial and antiviral properties. In a small study, fresh garlic was shown to have antiviral properties, including one virus known for causing the common cold.² Using a dose of three capsules a day, Horseradish & Garlic Complex will help reduce the duration of a cold.

A sore throat and varying degrees of a cough often accompany the common cold. A natural remedy for colds, Liddell Cold + Flu is a homeopathic remedy suitable for adults and children aged 12 and above to help reduce the severity of the symptoms of a cold, such as a sore throat and cough. This homeopathic remedy for a cold does not cause drowsiness nor harmful side effects.

Can zinc help get rid of a common cold?

Zinc has 18 approved health claims, the highest number for a mineral. In comparison, calcium has only ten and iron has 12.³ One study from the University of Helsinki involving 199 people found that zinc acetate lozenges shortened the duration of a common cold by approximately three days.⁴ Lamberts Zinc Plus Lozenges contain zinc citrate and Vitamin C together with Propolis. These zinc lozenges may help to shorten the duration of a common cold.⁵

In my opinion, Horseradish and Garlic Complex and Liddell Cold + Flu are natural remedies that should be in everyone’s medicine cabinet for when the need arises. However, in order to avoid or prevent a cold, we need our immune system to be working at its optimal level. To ensure this, I would recommend the use of DoSe Daily Immunity. This supplement is a powerhouse of herbs, vitamins, mushroom extracts and friendly bacteria that will hopefully ensure that you are not plagued by common colds through the winter months. I tend to recommend Daily Immunity from autumn until spring with a break until the following autumn.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Common Cold. https://www.cdc.gov/common-cold/about/
2. Weber ND, Andersen DO, North JA, et al. In vitro virucidal effects of Allium sativum (garlic) extract and compounds. Planta Medica. 1992;58(5):417–423. doi:10.1055/s-2006-961504.
3. Department of Health and Social Care. Great Britain Nutrition and Health Claims Register. GOV.UK.
4. Hemilä H, Petrus EJ, Fitzgerald JT, Prasad A. Zinc acetate lozenges for treating the common cold: an individual patient data meta-analysis. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2016;82(5):1393–1398. doi:10.1111/bcp.13057.
5. Hemilä H. Zinc lozenges and the common cold: a meta-analysis comparing zinc acetate and zinc gluconate, and the role of zinc dosage. JRSM Open. 2017;8(5). doi:10.1177/2054270417694291.

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