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Health Problems
Coughs,
Colds & Flu Research
Herbal treatment offers
rapid relief from the common cold
The common cold, more technically
known as an acute viral respiratory tract infection, is one of the most
frequent diseases suffered around the world. Though treatments vary
considerably, most colds run their course and the main aim of treatment is
to speed up that process.
Researchers in Germany studied a
combination of echinacea, baptisia and thuja for the treatment of the
common cold. Covering 15 study centres, practitioners administered three
tablets of the herbal remedy for 7 to 9 days.
The patients documented the
intensity of 18 cold type symptoms daily, as well as the overall effects
of the cold. Their doctors also assessed the patients' condition after
four and eight days using the standard rhinitis score, bronchitis score
and general well-being.
The results were obtained from 238
valid cases and showed that the herbal remedy was extremely effective.
This was confirmed not only by the patients' general state of well-being,
but also in the speed in which the patients recovered which was found to
be 25 per cent faster than patients who were given a sugar pill.
Those patient’s who started using
the herbal remedy in the early phases of their cold experienced the most
significant results, with improvement occurring on day 2 and further
rising by day 4. The improvements were recognised in both the patients'
reports and the physicians' overall bronchitis and rhinitis scores.
It should also be noted that in 26
patients receiving the herbal remedy and 23 patients receiving the
placebo, adverse events were noted, although none of these were considered
serious.
This report strongly suggests that
this combination herbal remedy is a most effective and safe method of
treatment for the common cold. It clearly demonstrates a therapeutic
benefit in the rapid onset of improvement of cold symptoms and, if
treatment is started as soon as the person begins to feel unwell, the
benefits are considerably enhanced.
Source : Efficacy and
safety of a fixed combination phytomedicine in the treatment of the common
cold (acute viral respiratory tract infection): results of a randomised,
double blind, placebo controlled, multicentre study.
Henneicke-von Zepelin H, Hentschel et al.
Schaper & Brummer GmbH & Co KG, Salzgitter, Germany.
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