Common Cold
DESCRIPTION
The common cold is an Infection of the upper respiratory
tract, causing symptoms of sneezing and a mucous discharge
from the nose. Most people, especially children, suffer
from colds several times each year.
A cold has no recognised
cure, although a healthy Immune System is the best defence.
There are over two hundred various cold viruses and it takes
time to build immunity to most forms. Children are most
vulnerable, as they are more likely to be exposed to different
strains of the virus without the aid of any natural resistance.
HERBS
Echinacea (3)
Garlic (5)
Ginger
Liquorice (6)
Slippery Elm
NUTRITIONAL
SUPPLIMENTS
Vitamin A (4)
B complex
Vitamin C (1)
Zinc (2)
HOMOEOPATHY
Onset of cold or flu
Aconite or Ferrum phos. if taken early
enough, will often seem to prevent a viral illness from
taking hold. If the illness progresses, take note of the
symptom picture as it develops and follow with a medicine
from the list headed "worsening cold or flu".
Aconite
Sudden onset especially after exposure to intense cold.
Rapidly developing shivers, high fever, sneezing.
May be hot or cold or flushed.
May feel anxious or upset.
Ferrum phos.
Cold gradually creeps up on you.
Low grade fever.
Cough may be dry or moist.
HOMOEOPATHY
Worsening cold or flu
Euphrasia
Profuse runny nose and sore watery Eyes.
Sneezing may be violent.
Nux vom.
Starts in cold weather, especially cold dry wind.
Stuffed up nose at night, may run in the day.
Head cold with or without Sore Throat, back ache.
Very shivery, cannot get warm.
Irritable and intolerant.
Arsen. alb.
Very chilly, unable to warm up.
Nose runny and burning.
May be anxious and restless and often thirsty.
Gelsemium
Gradual onset, often in mild, damp weather.
Low grade fever but mentally dulled.
Marked aching of head and neck, spreads to limbs.
Shivers up and down spine.
Arms and legs feel heavy and weak.
Rhus tox.
May follow getting wet and cold.
Restless with marked Pain in limbs.
Chilly, must be covered up.
Alternating fever and shivering.
Tickly Cough preceding or with Pains.
Bryonia
Colds tend to go straight to the chest.
Breathing dry and Painful, often accompanied by a splitting
Headache.
Pulsatilla
Later stages of a cold with yellow green Catarrh.
Nose stuffed up at night and indoors.
Runny nose outdoors and in the day.
Feels better in open air.
Merc sol.
Severe Sore Throat with coated tonsils and tongue, and Bad
breath.
Infected nasal Catarrh and chesty Cough with green phlegm.
REFERENCES
1. Hemila H. Does Vitamin C alleviate symptoms of the common
cold?-a review of current evidence. Scand J Infect Dis 26:
1-6, 1994.
2. Eby G, Davis DR, Halcomb WW. Reduction in duration of
common colds by Zinc gluconate lozenges in a double-blind
study. Antimicrobial Agents Chemotherapy 1984;25:20-24.
3. Melchart D, Linde K, Worku F, et al. Immunomodulation
with Echinacea—a systematic review of controlled clinical
trials. Phytomedicine 1994;1:245-54 [review].
4. Glasziou PP, Mackerras DE: Vitamin A supplementation
in infectious diseases - a meta-analysis, British Medical
Journal, 306(6874), Feb 1993, p 366-370.
5. Elnima EI, et al: The antimicrobial activity of Garlic
and onion extracts, Pharmazie, 38(11), Nov 1983, p 747-748.
6. Pompei R, et al: Glycyrrhizic acid inhibits virus growth
and inactivates virus particles, Nature, 281(5733), Oct
1979, p 689-690.
