Complementary medicines for coughs and colds

The common cold is the most prevalent infectious disease in the world with adults experiencing, on average, two to four colds per year, and children six to 10 colds. There are more than 200 subtypes of viruses known to cause the common cold and typical symptoms include sore throat, nasal discharge, sneezing and coughing. Although generally self limiting, it can cause complications including sinusitis, otitis media and pneumonia, and may exacerbate underlying chronic airway conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Conventional therapies tend to focus on temporary symptom relief and include over-the-counter antipyretics, anti-inflammatories and decongestants. Consumers also commonly turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for assistance in preventing or treating the common cold and associated cough. Therapies that have been investigated for efficacy include Echinacea spp., Allium sativum (garlic) and Panax quinquefolium, which will be discussed in this article; (Australian Pharmacist 2010; 29:(8)676-80); zinc, Astragalus membranaceous (Australian Pharmacist 2010; 29:(9)774-9); as well as Sambucus nigra, Baptisia tinctoria, Eleutherococcus senticosus, olive leaf extract and vitamin A. A variety of Chinese herbal preparations 3 and various other herbal combinations have also been tested.