IMPORTANT
Unless otherwise stated on the package, most supplements and herbal remedies aren’t suitable for children under 12.
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Common Cold

What you need to know:

Cold prevention by keeping immune system in good order is normally advisable, as there are no known cures. There are however, various ways to help with the symptoms and speed your recovery once you have caught a cold.

Some people have a cold for weeks, but with the right approach you should be able to shift it within a week. This can be achieved by encouraging your body's natural defences, by taking plenty of rest, eating nutritiously and using natural remedies.

The most useful Supplements:

You need to concentrate on boosting immune function, so that your body can effectively fight off the infection.
Most useful (in alphabetical order)

Antioxidant complex
Beta-carotene
High dose multivitamin and mineral
Vitamin A - but only with your doctor's approval if you're pregnant
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids
Zinc

Propolis or Zinc lozenges are also very effective.

The most useful Herbs:

Supporting immune function is vitally important. Also look out for herbal yeast elixirs which are very helpful at boosting the system.
Most useful (in alphabetical order)

Ashwagandha
Astragalu
Echinacea
Garlic
Green tea
Korean ginseng and Siberian ginseng

A tea using the following herbs will help ease chills and help flush out the cold:

Elderflower
Ginger
Hyssop
Peppermint (use catmint for children)
Yarrow

Homoeopathy

Homoeopathic remedies appropriate to this condition include:

Aconite
Allium cepa
Dulcamara
Natrum muriatum

Aromatherapy

Use the following oils in vaporisers or inhalations (on handkerchiefs, tissues and bed covers)
They can also be put in the bath. Tea tree can be used at the first onset of a cold.

Eucalyptus
Pine
Tea tree - this can also be used as a gargle if you also have a sore throat (3 drops to a glass of hot water)

Dietary changes that may be beneficial:

Nutritional changes based around supporting the immune system can help to prevent colds. If you have a cold already the following will help:

Drink lots of water - at least 6 large glasses a day to help replace fluids lost through sneezing, sweating and runny noses.
Make a drink of hot water, a dessert spoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon and sip slowly. Take it 4 times a day.
For a bad cold, especially when accompanied by a fever, a 24 hour fast raw fruit and fruit juice fast will give the immune system a boost.
Eat foods that are easy to digest, so that your body can concentrate on fighting the virus. Good foods are fresh fruit, salads, raw vegetables, water based soups.
Eat Garlic and lots of it to help kill the virus and break up congestion. Onions are also very good for this.
Avoid mucous-forming foods such as dairy products and refined carbohydrates as these will congest you further and slow up your progress of getting over the cold.

Other useful advice

Reflexology, Accupressure and Yoga may also be useful at relieving symptoms.
It is very important to rest if you have a cold, so do not attempt do your usual routine at the gym. Research shows that exercise suppresses immune function for several hours after exercise.
Stress also suppresses immune function and increases the chances of catching a cold. If you already have a cold, it is best to take a few days off to avoid excess stress and it will give you chance to recuperate properly.
Keeping immune function is important, but avoiding a cold in the first place is also useful. Try to avoid overcrowded, stuffy places where germs can easily spread.