How to cure a cold in one day
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Effective Treatments for Curing a Cold in One Day
Introduction to Cold Treatments
The common cold is a frequent illness that affects millions of people annually, causing significant discomfort and economic loss due to absenteeism from work and school. While completely curing a cold in one day remains challenging, several treatments can significantly reduce the duration and severity of symptoms.
Salicylic Acid and Ammonium Acetate
One historical approach involves the use of salicylic acid combined with ammonium acetate. Administering twenty grains of salicylic acid in liquid ammonium acetate three to four times a day can control cold symptoms effectively. This treatment can alleviate symptoms such as aching of the brow and eyelids within a few hours, and reduce sneezing and nasal discharge, leading to a quicker resolution of the cold1.
Zinc Gluconate Lozenges
Zinc gluconate lozenges have been shown to significantly reduce the duration of cold symptoms. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, participants who took zinc lozenges every two hours while awake experienced a median symptom duration of 4.4 days compared to 7.6 days in the placebo group. Zinc was particularly effective in reducing coughing, headache, hoarseness, nasal congestion, nasal drainage, and sore throat. However, side effects such as nausea and bad taste were more common in the zinc group2.
EPs 7630 (Pelargonium Sidoides Root Extract)
EPs 7630, a root extract from Pelargonium sidoides, has demonstrated efficacy in treating the common cold. In a clinical trial, patients taking EPs 7630 showed a significant reduction in symptom intensity within five days compared to those taking a placebo. By day 10, a higher percentage of patients in the EPs 7630 group achieved complete resolution of symptoms. This treatment was also associated with higher patient satisfaction and minimal adverse effects4.
Homeopathic Syrup for Children
For young children, a homeopathic syrup has been found to reduce the severity of cold symptoms. In a study involving children aged 2-5 years, those who received the homeopathic syrup showed significant improvements in symptoms such as sneezing, cough, and overall cold severity within the first day of treatment compared to those who received a placebo5.
Conclusion
While curing a cold in one day is not entirely feasible, several treatments can significantly alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness. Salicylic acid with ammonium acetate, zinc gluconate lozenges, EPs 7630, and homeopathic syrups for children have all shown promise in reducing the impact of cold symptoms. Patients should consider these options and weigh the potential benefits against any possible side effects.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Treatment of a Cold
Twenty grains of salicylic acid, given in liq. ammon. acet, three or four times a day, effectively controls a common cold, reducing aching, sneezing, and nasal discharge, and preventing a cough.
Zinc gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Zinc gluconate lozenges significantly reduced the duration of common cold symptoms, but the mechanism of action remains unknown.
RCTTreatment of the common cold
Alleviation of symptoms remains the only proven treatment for the common cold, with first-generation antihistamines, anticholinergics, and agonists effectively reducing rhinorrhea and sneezing but minimal effects on other symptoms.
Systematic ReviewTreatment with EPs 7630, a Pelargonium Sidoides Root Extract, Is Effective and Safe in Patients with the Common Cold: Results From a Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.
EPs 7630 is an effective and safe treatment for common cold symptoms, reducing symptom intensity faster and providing higher satisfaction compared to placebo.
RCTA randomized controlled trial of a homeopathic syrup in the treatment of cold symptoms in young children.
Homeopathic cold syrup effectively reduces the severity of cold symptoms in preschool children, but its effectiveness remains unclear in longer-term studies.
RCTEfficacy of a pelargonium sidoides preparation in patients with the common cold: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Pelargonium sidoides preparation significantly improves symptoms and reduces work absence compared to placebo in adult patients with common colds.
RCT
Highly CitedWhat treatments are effective for common cold in adults and children?
Decongestants, antihistamines, and analgesics show limited effectiveness in relieving nasal symptoms in adults, while herbal remedies and vitamins show mixed results.
Systematic Review
Rigorous JournalAntibiotics for the common cold and acute purulent rhinitis.
Antibiotics for common colds show no better results or less risk of adverse effects than placebo, and have no significant effect on persisting acute purulent rhinitis.
Meta-Analysis
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedAntihistamines for the common cold.
Antihistamines have a limited short-term beneficial effect on overall common cold symptoms, but have no significant long-term benefits.
Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalHerbal medicines (Eunkyosan and Samsoeum) for treating the common cold: a protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial
Eunkyosan and Samsoeum are herbal medicines used in East Asia for treating the common cold, but their effectiveness and safety have not been studied in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
RCT
Large Human TrialRigorous Journal