9 natural products to treat a cold
Andrographis, a natural anti-cold treatment
Used for hundreds of years against respiratory infections,Andrographis is a very bitter plant that occupies a prominent place in various traditional medicines. It is said that it would have helped curb a flu epidemic in India in 1919. Since 1990, it has even been the main ingredient in a treatment for colds that has become very popular (Kan Jang) and developed by Scandinavians. It is unfortunately not found in raw form in Western countries: it must be used in capsule or tablet form. Its mechanism of action has not yet been elucidated but it is suspected of stimulating the immune system in addition to having anti-inflammatory and antipyretic (which reduces fever) properties. It must be said that we no longer count the studies that have confirmed its effectiveness1-4 … The World Health Organization has also recognized its use for the prevention and treatment of uncomplicated respiratory infections, such as the common cold, but also sinusitis and bronchitis.
Sources
Melchior J, Palm S, Wikman G. Controlled clinical study of standardized Andrographis paniculata in common cold- a pilot trial. Phytomedicine 1996;97;3:315-8. Melchior J, Palm S, Wikman G. Controlled clinical study of standardized Andrographis paniculata in common cold- a pilot trial. Phytomedicine 1996;97;3:315-8. Poolsup N, Suthisisang C, Prathanturarug S, et al. Andrographis paniculata in the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Clin Pharm Ther 2004;29:37-45. View abstract. Gabrielian ES, Shukarian AK, Goukasova GI, et al. A double blind, placebo-controlled study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination Kan Jang in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections including sinusitis. Phytomedicine 2002;9:589-97.. View abstract. Melchoir J, Spasov AA, Ostrovskij OV, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot and phase III study of activity of standardized Andrographis paniculata Herba Nees extract fixed combination (Kan Jang) in the treatment of uncomplicated upper-respiratory tract infection. Phytomedicine 2000;7:341-50. View abstract.