Any secrets for decreasing length of common cold?

just curious, I've taken elderberry extract, and that seems to help a little.

I swear by Zicam. It really does seem to help. They pulled the spray, but I use the lozenges, which are still available.

Echinacea and Vitamin C appear to almost always work for me.

flush nose with saline in the shower
take pseudoephedrine (i use the 12 hour kind, doesn't disrupt sleep or make me spacey)
drink lots of fluids, chicken soup actually does help (can't remember why but I read this)
echinacea
vitamin c (not tons)
some zinc
stay warm and get as much rest as possible

Early treatment goes a long way. Keep the sinuses open and your chest clear, and the duration of symptoms is typically much shorter. At least in my experience.

At the first sign of symptoms, I start taking vitamin C and eat some very spicy food, to loosen up the congestion. Hot peppers, like those found in Chinese food, supposedly have therapeutic properties.

A strong Immune system will play the prominent role.
Excersize regularily. Eat lots of salads. Raw veggies give you 100% of their nutrients.
Get at least 20 minutes of sun exposure per day, and if you can't, take a Vitamin D suppliment.
Echinacea is only useful when the cold/flu symptoms begin.
Taking it when a cold/flu is already in progress will yeild little results.
Daily suppliments I take are a) Omega 3-6-9, b)Selenium w-Beta Carotine (boosts immune system)
c) Vitamin D suppliment. Also, if possible eat one orange per day. Processed orange juice is useless.
Freshly squeezed juice is only good if taken within 1 minute after squeezing.
Also, (and this may seem ridiculously academic but..) avoid contact with others who are sneezing, sniffling & slobbering. If you take public transit and someone coughs (etc) get away from them to minimise exposure.
Lastly, don't smoke. Just don't do it.

Most important thing to avoid a cold - get plenty of sleep. Don't get sleep deprived, it'll lower your resistance.

Originally Posted by MrG

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I swear by Zicam. It really does seem to help. They pulled the spray, but I use the lozenges, which are still available.


+1

But I used the nasal swabs, think I may switch to the lozenges now

Megadose Vitamin C and take a little zinc along with it.

Extra rest
Keep really warm to the point of sweating
Lots of water
Take vitamin supplements

-Zink
-vitamin C
...most effective, raw garlic (..not tablets)

Great advice on sweating. When I get sick I wrap myself up in heavy blankets and a comforter and break that fever in one night.

Also, raw garlic is good too I hear. During the depression my grandmother would rub pressed garlic on her feet as a child and go to bed with socks on. Haven't really tried it myself, so take what you want from that.

Tons of vitamins, c in particular, zinc, fruits and veggies, proteins, lots of liquids.

But yeah, if you lead a healthy lifestyle and build up your immune system, it goes a LONG way.

I'd like to believe Zicam works. I've used it and it does seem to make a difference.

if it is a strong cold or flu, i actually like to let it ride out rather than trying to stunt the length of it. i like the after math of losing weight upon recovering from the flu.