Another FAIL in the search for Cure For The Common Cold
Posted On December 22, 2010
Americans spend billions on over-the-counter pills, drops, sprays and other concoctions to battle runny noses, scratchy throats and nagging coughs.
(please share this with anyone who is sniffling!)
We have been told that Echinacea helps your immune system fight infections. However, the largest study of more than 700 adults and children showed NO significant benefit. Zero.
Here is what they did
Dr. Bruce Barrett and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin used newspaper ads and posters to find volunteers with colds in the Madison, Wis., area. The participants (ages 12 to 80) were randomly assigned to get echinacea tablets, a dummy pill or no treatment at all. Those who got the herb took the equivalent of 10 grams of dried echinacea root the first day and 5 grams the next four days.
Twice a day, they graded their symptoms until their cold was gone. There was a trend toward a positive effect, but it was not statistically significant.
Everyone wins even though nobody won
The people who love Echinacea point to the trend and say, “See!! Told you it helps.” Everyone else point to the trend and say, “See!! Told you it doesn’t DO anything.”
“It’s not a compelling result in either direction,” said Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council, which follows research on herbal products. He said Barrett is on the group’s advisory board.
The center’s director, Dr. Josephine Briggs, said there are no plans to support more human research on echinacea.
“I think what we’re seeing is pretty clear. If there’s a benefit of echinacea, it’s very modest, Briggs said.
Got a Cold? Here’s what So what’s a cold sufferer to do
First of all, “… don’t go running to the doctor for antibiotics,” according to Dr. Ann Falsey of the University of Rochester Medical Center. Antibiotics don’t work against cold viruses and can have side effects.
Now. Here’s what you SHOULD do
Rest, fluids, pain relievers and over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms are generally recommended. In other words, just treat the symptoms and let your body fight the cause.
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