Supplement | Amount | Why |
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Andrographis | A standardized extract providing 60 mg per day of active constituents in three divided doses | [3 stars] Andrographis contains bitter constituents that are believed to have immune-stimulating and anti-inflammatory actions. |
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Vitamin C | 1 to 4 grams daily | [3 stars] Studies have shown that taking vitamin C may make your cold shorter and less severe. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Elderberry | Refer to label instructions
| [2 stars] 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.
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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. |
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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. |
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Probiotics | Refer to label instructions
| [2 stars] Daily supplementation with a probiotic may decrease the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in children. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Blackberry | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Blackberry leaves contain astringent tannins that are helpful for soothing sore throats. |
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Blueberry | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Blueberry leaves contain astringent tannins that are helpful for soothing sore throats. |
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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. |
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Chinese Artichoke | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners use Chinese artichoke for colds and flu. |
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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. |
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Eucalyptus Oil | Eucalyptus oil | [1 star] Eucalyptus oil is often used in a steam inhalation to help clear nasal and sinus congestion. |
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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. |
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Goldthread | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Goldthread contains berberine, an alkaloid with antimicrobial and mild immune-stimulating effects. |
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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. |
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Hyssop | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Hyssop may promote a healthy fever and the immune system’s ability to fight infections. |
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Linden | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Linden may promote a healthy fever and the immune system’s ability to fight infections. |
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Mallow | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Herbs high in mucilage, such as malvia, are often helpful for relief of coughs and irritated throats. |
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Marshmallow | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Herbs high in mucilage, such as marshmallow, are often helpful for relief of coughs and irritated throats. |
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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. |
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Molmol | 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). |
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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. |
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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. |
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Red Raspberry | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Red raspberry leaves contain astringent tannins that are helpful for soothing sore throats. |
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Sage | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Sage tea may be gargled to soothe a sore throat. |
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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Usnea | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Usnea has a traditional reputation as an antiseptic and is sometimes used for people with common colds. |
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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.
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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. |
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Yarrow | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Yarrow is a diaphoretic herb that has been used for relief of sore throats. |
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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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