They say there’s no cure for the common cold, but walk though any drug store and you’ll see plenty of products trying to convince you otherwise. In addition to antihistamines and pain relievers, there are plenty of homeopathic remedies—products containing diluted amounts of minerals and ingredients––stocking the shelves. But do they really work? We spoke to doctors and got their take on the most popular treatments. Read on to learn which ones are worth reaching for when you feel a cold coming on, and which to pass up.
Airborne
This purported immune-system booster, which is available in effervescent tablets, packets and chewables, encountered some trouble in 2008 when the company was sued for falsely claiming that the remedy prevented colds. Airborne eventually settled the class-action lawsuit, and changed its promise. Now, the blend of 14 vitamins and herbs claims to “help support your immune system.” So is it worth a try if you’re feeling ill? “It’s essentially a multi-vitamin with some herbal supplements as well,” says Yael Halaas, MD, ENT, an ear, nose and throat doctor based in New York City, meaning it doesn’t contain any magic cold-busting ingredients. And according to Linda Dahl, MD, a New York City board-certified otolaryngologist and surgeon, homeopathic remedies don't undergo the same type of testing that over-the-counter and prescription drugs do. “There’s no way to say if it will help one person versus another. If you eat well, take vitamins and get sleep you’ll be in good shape. This remedy won’t hurt, but it won’t necessarily help, either,” she says. However, if you are deficient in certain vitamins, it might be worth a shot.
Emergen-C
The original formula of Emergen-C is a vitamin drink mix that contains 24 nutrients, including 1,000 mg of vitamin C. Experts are mixed about whether or not the added dose of C will ward off colds. According to Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, a board certified doctor of internal medicine in Atlanta, some studies show that vitamin C has no effect, while others suggest it can reduce the severity and duration of a cold. Keep in mind that 1,000 mg of vitamin C is at the top end of the recommended daily dosage; the doctors we spoke with confirmed that it’s fine to try when you feel a cold coming on, but that it does not have proven results. You should also avoid taking it daily in the long term—too much vitamin C can cause stomach pain and diarrhea.
Cold-EEZE
By including zinc gluconate in its formula, Cold-EEZE claims to reduce the severity and duration of the common cold. And it really works: According to Frederick Southwick, MD, professor and chief of Infectious Diseases at the University of Florida, “There is evidence that says when you use zinc in lozenge or spray form (which work topically, by coating the throat with zinc) it can work to shorten the length and severity of colds.” A 2003 study in the Quarterly Journal of Medicine found that spray zinc gluconate—which is what is used in Cold-EEZE––reduced the symptomatic period of a cold from six days to 4.3 days when used within 24 to 48 hours of the first signs of illness. This evidence suggests that Cold-EEZE lozenges are a good bet to take at the first sign of a cold.
Echinacea
Long touted for its immune system-boosting powers, it might seem natural to try an Echinacea supplement when you feel a cold coming on. But according to Dr. Southwick, it’s not worth your money. He cites two studies, one from the New England Journal of Medicine in 2005 and another from the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2010, which both found that, in terms of treating the common cold, “Echinacea was no better than the placebo.”
Zinc Supplements
Like Zicam sprays, zinc nasal sprays and swabs were also taken off the market because they caused loss of smell. But that doesn't mean zinc isn't a good bet, as long as it’s taken in supplement form. As is the case with Cold-EEZE and certain Zicam products, zinc gluconate, when used topically to coat the throat, has been proven to ease cold symptoms. While it may seem like a good idea to try a zinc supplement if you think you’re getting a cold, Dr. Southwick urges you to turn to lozenges—not ingestible pills—for fast relief. “Remember that zinc is not recommended to be used preventatively; take it at the first sign or symptom of a cold.”
Zicam
Zicam encountered some major problems with the FDA when a few of its products were found to cause loss of smell, which was, in some cases permanent. The products in question—Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs and Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size—are no longer sold. The company’s current remedies consist of throat lozenges and oral mist sprays that release the same form of zinc gluconate as Cold-EEZE directly onto the throat. According to Dr. Southwick, “These may be beneficial because, like other zinc products, they are expected to interfere with the binding of the rhinovirus,” which means they prevent the common cold virus from taking root in your body. But keep in mind that, like with Cold-EEZE, topical zinc only works on the rhinovirus, which accounts for about 50% of colds.
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