Penn Herb Wellness Guide
Common Cold/Sore Throat
Also indexed as:Sore Throat & Colds, Cold and Sore Throat
Coughing. Aching Sneezing. Take a few simple actions to knock out the annoying common cold. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
- Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
- For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
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. |
Vitamin C | 1 to 4 grams daily | [3 stars] Studies have shown that taking vitamin C may make your cold shorter and less severe. |
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. |
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. |
Elderberry | Refer to label instructions | [2 stars] Elderberry has shownantiviral 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. |
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. |
Probiotics | Refer to label instructions | [2 stars] Daily supplementation with a probiotic may decrease the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in children. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Blackberry | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Blackberry leaves contain astringent tannins that are helpful for soothing sore throats. |
Blueberry | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Blueberry leaves contain astringent tannins that are helpful for soothing sore throats. |
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. |
Chinese Artichoke | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners use Chinese artichoke for colds and flu. |
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. |
Eucalyptus Oil | Eucalyptus oil | [1 star] Eucalyptus oil is often used in a steam inhalation to help clear nasal and sinus congestion. |
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. |
Goldthread | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Goldthread contains berberine, an alkaloid with antimicrobial and mild immune-stimulating effects. |
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. |
Hyssop | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Hyssop may promote a healthy fever and the immune system’s ability to fight infections. |
Linden | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Linden may promote a healthy fever and the immune system’s ability to fight infections. |
Mallow
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