THERE IS NO MAGIC CURE
MYTHS ABOUT COLD AND FLU
http://www.healthcaresouth.com/pages.../coldmyths.htm
People are always looking for the magic cure for a cold but, unfortunately, there is none. Cold medications can relieve certain symptoms - aches, congestion, coughs - but do not cure or even shorten a cold.
Vitamin C does not help with a cold. Zinc and echinacea have been disappointing in treating colds with conflicting study results.
The best treatment is to drink lots of fluids and rest. Stress and sleep deprivation can depress the immune system, making people more vulnerable to illness and prolong recovery.
Expectorating (coughing up) mucus was commonly recommended in the past, but is unnecessary. The body naturally clears mucus and debris from the lungs and you do not have to force a cough or blow your nose unless you feel the need.
Guaifenisin - an expectorant found in many cough syrups - does not loosen mucus any better than simply drinking plenty of fluids. In addition, guaifenisin can cause nausea.
The only ingredient you need in a cough syrup is dextromethorphan (DM), which can help suppress an annoying cough. It will not speed the recovery of the cough. Gargling (especially with salt water) was popular in the past for treating sore throats and is no longer necessary. Gargling often causes gagging and does not speed recovery.
Simply keeping the throat moist with frequent sips of liquid or sucking candies will provide some comfort for a sore throat. Medicated lozenges or sprays sometimes can temporarily numb a painful throat, but they taste bad and do nothing to help recovery. I prefer Lifesavers or mints over any medicated lozenge.