Chicken noodle soup, Vicks Vaporub, garlic in a glass of milk, putting an onion in your sock, ginger, honey, echinacea…these are some of the common (and not-so-common) remedies that people have tried over the years to solve the common cold.
Here are some of the facts regarding the common cold from the American Lung Association:
- the common cold is a minor infection of the nose and throat caused by over 200 different types of viruses;
- it’s one of the more common reasons why patients visit their doctor;
- adults average two to four colds per year and young children average six to eight per year;
- the viruses are highly contagious;
- the rhinovirus is the most common type of virus causing the common cold.
For something that is so common, there is still no gold standard treatment or prevention, which is probably the reason why there have been so many folk remedies documented over the centuries.
Searching the literature for reliable research on natural remedies for treating the common cold shows a decent number of studies for something that is readily available in a large variety of fruits and vegetables. Quercetin has been shown to have a positive effect in the treatment of the common cold.
Quercetin is a flavonoid, which is a compound found in fruits and vegetables, also referred to as phytochemicals. Many flavonoids are considered to have multiple health benefits and are the main reason why fruits and vegetables are just simply good for us.
While Quercetin is not unique in its benefits, it is one flavonoid scientifically proven to limit the replication of a variety of respiratory viruses, including influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the common cold-causing rhinovirus.
While there is an immune-biochemical explanation that is quite detailed, it can be simply said that Quercetin not only blocks the virus, but it also enhances your own immune system. All good news, especially from the months September through to March.
Common foods higher in Quercetin include blueberries, cranberries, kale, broccoli, and green tea. Quercetin can also be commonly found in local health food stores as a supplement. Good news too is that, in the studies I looked at, no side effects were reported in those taking the recommended dosages.
Maybe Q should be added to the C you may already be taking when you get the sniffles.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
