The secret is to use it as soon as there is a symptom. Zee Bradford, Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell s press secretary, swears by a recipe of Vitamin C, lots of sunshine and the aroma of a strong onion. Scientists have extensively tested one of these remedies, the Vitamin C, and dispute whether it helps, but Bradford and others are unswayed. Hawkins, who s been studying herbs for 10 years and sells a line of herbal products she concocts, also recommends making a tea out of catnip and feverfew to reduce fever. And in a nod to conventional medicine, she says not letting the body get worn down during cold season helps the immune system defend against the 200 or so cold-causing viruses lurking out there.
Many readers endorse the power of herbs, particularly echinacea, goldenseal, osha root and ginger.
I have taken prescription drugs and none worked, but you can be assured this drug will. Actually, the only herb that s been studied enough to declare it helps forestall colds is echinacea, which stimulates the immune system, said Dr. Lee Golusinski, a family practitioner at The Emory Clinic in Atlanta. Research suggests it helps prevent a cold, but if you start taking it once you already have a cold, it doesn t do anything. Golusinski hears his fair share of home remedies from patients wondering if things like chicken soup, vinegar tea and hot foot baths will help get rid of a cold. Herbal supplements also are unregulated, meaning the Food and Drug Administration isn t checking to see if the products contain the ingredients claimed on their labels.