Other names for Colds (general)

Common Cold
Acute Viral Nasopharyngitis
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URI)
Viral Rhinitis

Synopsis of Colds (general)

The common cold is a mild, self-limiting viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, affecting the nose, throat, and sinuses. It is typically caused by rhinoviruses but can also result from infections with coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenoviruses, or parainfluenza viruses. Colds are highly contagious and spread through respiratory droplets, direct contact with infected surfaces, or touching the mouth, nose, or eyes after exposure.

Symptoms usually appear 1–3 days after exposure and include nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, cough, mild fever, fatigue, sneezing, and sometimes watery eyes. Most colds resolve within 7–10 days without medical intervention. Although usually harmless, they can lead to complications like sinus infections, middle ear infections, or exacerbations of asthma in susceptible individuals.

Types (Based on Symptoms):

• Mild Cold: Runny nose, slight sore throat, minimal discomfort.

• Moderate Cold: Congestion, coughing, noticeable fatigue, mild fever.

• Complicated Cold: Secondary bacterial infections like sinusitis, ear infections, or bronchitis.

Common Causes:

• Rhinovirus (most frequent)

• Coronavirus (common cold strains, not COVID-19 variants)

• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

• Adenovirus

• Parainfluenza virus

Severity Factors:

• Young children, elderly adults, and immunocompromised individuals may experience more severe or prolonged symptoms.

• Lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition, sleep deprivation, smoking, and chronic stress can worsen severity.

• Complications are more likely when colds persist longer than 10 days or symptoms worsen after initial improvement.

When to See a Doctor:

• Symptoms lasting more than 10–14 days without improvement

• High fever (above 102°F or 39°C)

• Severe sore throat, sinus pain, or earache

• Shortness of breath, chest pain, or wheezing

• Symptoms worsening after initially getting better

• If at high risk due to chronic health conditions

Natural remedies for Colds (general)

Rest: Critical to support immune function.

Hydration: Water, broths, and herbal teas help thin mucus and prevent dehydration.

Warm saltwater gargles: Soothe sore throats.

Steam inhalation: Helps relieve nasal congestion.

Humidifiers: Maintain moisture in the air to ease coughing and congestion.

Nutrient-rich diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in vitamins C, A, and E.

Honey: (for those over 1 year old) to soothe coughing and throat irritation.

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Colds (general)

Activated charcoal
Allspice
Aloe vera
anchovies
green chiretta
anthocyanins
apple
arabinogalactan
astaxanthin
astragalus
Waterhyssop
bamboo
barberry
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
berry flavor
beta-pinene
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
radish
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
bасора
capsaicinoids
carrot
cassia bark
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
chlorella
cinnamon
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coating
coconut milk
colostrum
cowage seed
turmeric
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
exo-peptidase
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
grape
Greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
hemp oil
horseradish
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
jujube
L-cysteine
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus fermentum
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
lemon
licorice root
lovage
lychee
Marshmallow
Mastic gum
Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Milk
Moringa
mustard seed
natural flavor
Nettle
spruce
orange
oregano
oregon grape
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
pear
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
pine bark
pineapple
plantain
plum fruit
pollen
pomegranate
pumpkin
quail egg
quercetin
raspberry
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
selenium
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
strawberry
thyme
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
Wasabi
Water
Yeast
Zinc
sarsaparilla
squawvine
boneset
tangerine
typhonium
xanthium (cockleburs)
gastrodia
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
papaya
capsicum
Mugwort
Indian bael
Neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
pistacia integerrima gall
commiphora
Tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
bee pollen
peony
Szechuan lovage
boxthorne
buckthorn
lemongrass
Yerba santa
chrysanthemum
siler root
flowering quince
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
Morinda
Trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
dulse leaf
royal jelly
purslane
fulvic acid
eucalyptus
Menthol oil
aster root
peach
hypothalamus
paw paw
Abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
Algae
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Alcohol
Astragalus
ash
Aralia
Angelica archanglica
avens
apple cider vinegar
Abies alba
Acetic acid
Asafetida
Alpinia
African Ginger
Agastache
American Basil
Artemisia Herba-Alba
Aldimine
alpha-terpineol
ankaflavin
anthraquinone
Aga
ambergris
Amylase
Ardisia
Angelica
Acacia
Allium tuberosum Rottl.
Allicin
Aspergillus oryzae
Ajowan
Ammonium chloride
anamu
Arisaema amurense
Abrus
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
American Elder
Ammonium glycyrrhizinate
antirrhinin
Allspice
Aconite
Ajuga
Artemisia
Andrographis paniculata
Algae (unspecified)
Alkaloid (unspecified)
andrographolide
Aloe vera
Asian Bayberry
Ashitaba
Albizia (unspecified)
Aerva lanata
Agastache urticifolia
Allium (unspecified)
Alpinia (unspecified)
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Apricot
Acerola
Abutua
American Ginseng
Andrographis
Alkaloids
Amomum (unspecified)
African Basil
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
Alpha-pinene
Apple Acid (unspecified)
Apple
Apple
Atractylodes
Allyl isothiocyanate
Arabinogalactans
Alliin
Acetylated Monoglyceride
Anise
Avian (unspecified)
Arabinogalactan
ananain
Asian Plantain
Ant
Allium tuberosum
Aloe macroclada
Amomum subulatum
Amor seco
Arani
Artemisia (unspecified)
Ash (unspecified)
Aster (unspecified)
Atlantic Cedar
atractylone
bee propolis
Barberry
black seed
Baker's Yeast
Belleric myrobalan
bermuda grass
Brassica oleracea (unspecified)
Bee Pollen
Baikal Skullcap
Bergenia Pacumbis
Bee Pollen
Bifobacterium (mixed)
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
blackthorn
Broussonetia
Blepharis
balsam
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
Bioflavonoid
Bioflavonoids (mixed)
Betel
Burdock
Black garlic
Butea monosperma
black galingale
Barleria
Billygoat plum
bitter grass
Blackboard tree
Blueberry (unspecified)
Bougainvillea
bee hive
bael
Black Tea
Boerhavia diffussa
Bioflavonoids (mixture)
Buckhorn Plantain
berry
Basil
blue wiss
Bacillus (mixed)
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Balsam (unspecified)
banyan
Bear Garlic
Black cardamom
bur-reed
boysenberry
Bicarbonate (mixed)
Blackberry
bioflavonoids
beadlets
Bicarbonate (unspecified)
Brewer's Yeast
black salt
Buchu (unspecified)
Black Seed Oil
bee products
Bacillus (unspecified)
Bacillus subtilis natto
Berries (unspecified)
back nightshade
Bombax
borassus palm
Brassica (unspecified)
British Elecampane
Buddha\'s hand
Borassus aethiopum
bitter principals
Boneset
Blue-Green Alage
Bacteria Blend
Black Currant
bruteridine
Bovine (not specified)
Bupleurum
Beta Glucans
Black Pepper and White Pepper
Blue Vervain
Bovine (unspecified)
Black Pepper
Bupleurum (unspecified)
Black Mustard
Bassia scoparia
Balsam pear
Belamcanda
Boerhavia diffusa
Breckland Thyme
biogenic amine
borneol
Blend (combination)
Cinnamon
cumin
Camellia sinensis
coconut
Curcuma wenyujin
Chinese silkvine
curry leaf
Cinnamomum tamala
Colostrum
Cinnamomum
Copaiba balsam
calamari
Chinese mountain ant
Colostrum
Coral
Chrysanthemum maximum
Cinnamomum loureirii
Cinnamon (unspecified)
Clerodendrum trichotomum
cloudberry
Cucurbita moschata
colloidal silver
Carotenoid
Cinnamic aldehyde
Chickweed
coconut oil
colloid
Cordyceps
coriander
Citrus sinensis
chive
carvacrol
Calcium Ascorbate
Citrus (unspecified)
Cayenne Pepper
capillary artemisia
Chinese mugwort
citron
Coltsfoot
Curcuminoid
Cluster Fig
carry me seed
Citrus
Cinnamon Bark
cineole
capsaicin
Cardamom
Capsicum
Chinese Quince
Colotsrum
cajuput
California Goldenrod
Chinese raisintree
Chlorophytum
Chokecherry
cowherb
Curcuma amada
Clivers
Caffeoylquinic acids (unspecified)
curcumen
Carrot fiber
cloves
Coating
Citrus Bioflavonoids
Capsaicinoids
Cabbage palm (not specifed)
citral
Calamus rhizome
Camu Camu Extract
Carrot
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cinnamaldehydes
Centidepa (unspecified)
Citrus junos
Condonopsis
Cape gooseberry
Cassia (unspecified)
Cayenne
Cereal (unspecified)
Chinese Sumac
Chrysanthemum (unspecified)
Cistus
common madia
Curcuma
Capsaicinoid
chalcone
cupric ascorbate
Chamomile (not specified)
cowslip
Clove
Chinese Rhubarb
Chinese Licorice
Carrot oil
chrysanthemum
Caffeine
calamus
Citrus nobilis
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Coin-leaf desmodium
Citrus reticulata
Chamomile
China Rose
Chinese Pine
Citrus (mixed)
Commiphora wightii
Cornelian Cherry
Cynanchum (unspecified)
cinnamaldehyde
Coconut
Ceylon Ginger
Camu Camu
Citrus Unspecified
catkin
costus
Chamomile (unspecified)
Citrus oil
Chinese Goldthread
Ceylon Spinach
Carthamus
Capsaisin
Canadian Goldenrod
Clam
citrus spp.
cola nut
Celosia
Cambodium Cardamom
Chenopodium album
Chinese Cabbage
Color
Conehead Thyme
crioceras
culvers Root
currant
cannabichromene
caratuberside
carboxylic acid
chrysophanics
Chondrus
Colostrum protein
Dianthus
Dihydrocapsaicin
Dandelion
Dog Rose
dodeca-2E, 4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide
Diatomite
Dioscorea oppositifolia
dendroxine
dragonhead
Dwarf lilyturf
deoxyandrographolides
David\'s milkberry
Dodder
Desmodium
Damask rose
dendramine
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
Dulse
Ephedra
European Elder
English Chamomile
Echinacea (unspecified)
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Echinacea tennesseensis
empresstree
Evodia
English horsemint
Eclipta
Echinacea (various)
English Oak
Echinacea
Elder
Echinacea angustifolia
Eleuthero
Echinacea pallida
Ester derivatives (unspecified)
European Barberry
Echinacea purpurea
Elderberry (unspecified)
European Vervain
Essential oil (unspecified)
essential oil blend
Echinacea (mixed)
esters
European five-finger grass
Ethanol
Embelia
elderberry
European Golden Rod
Esein
esters (unspecified)
Fruit & Vegetable Blend
Ferulic Acid
flavor
fruit
fenuside
Flavanol (mixture)
Fragrant Angelica
Frankinsense
fang-feng
flat-stem milk-vetch
fat liver oil
Flavonoid (mixture)
Flosin B
Flowering quince
Ficus simplicissima
Finger Leaf Morning Glory
flavoglycosides
Fruit (unspecified)
Flavor (Natural & Artificial)
Fungus (unspecified)
Five-Leaf Cassia
fringed pink
Fruit acid (unspecified)
frankincense
flavonones
Fruit Blend
Flavanoid (mixture)
Flavonones (unspecified)
goldthread
Genseng (not specified)
Ginseng, Oriental
Ground Ivy
Garlic pear
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Gingerol
Goldthread (unspecified)
garlic
Glycyrrhiza (unspecified)
Glycoside (unspecified)
Globulins
Ginseng
Greater galangal
Gallesia
giant blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Ginseng, American
gallotannin
Gardenia jasminoides
Ginseng (unspecified)
Grass-leaved calamus
Gigartina
Gardenia
Ginger oleoresin
Glycyrrhizinic acid
Ginseng, Panax
Glycyrrhizin
Great Plantain
Gooseberry
Galanga
Ginger
Ginger phenols (unspecified)
Glycerite
Glycoprotein (unspecified)
Hu Zhang
Haematococcus pluvialis
Hedychium Spicatum
Honeysuckle
Honeybush (unspecified)
Houttynia
Horseradish
Hyssop
Honduran Sarsaparilla
Holy Basil Herb
Hedyotis (unspecified)
Hygrophila
hydroxycinnamic acid
honey
Honeysuckle (unspecified)
Himalayan Fir
heal-all
Hedyotis
Holarrhena (unspecified)
Hoenelen
honey loquat syrup
Horehound
honeydew
Herbal Blend
Holy Basil
Helicteres isora
Hemp Agrimony
Herb Robert
Himalaya berry
hemp
Horsemint
Irish Moss
Indian Madder
Indian catnip
Indian Mustard
iridoids
iridoid glycosides
Indian Cassia
Indian Gooseberry
Indian Frankincense
isoquinoline alkaloids
Isatis
Ilex
Indian Elecampane
Indian Redwood
long pepper
Iris
Iceland Moss
Ignatius bean
Indian mallow
Indian Chrysanthemum
Indian fagonia
Japanese Apricot
Japanese Elder
Jiaogulan
Japanese Horseradish
Japanese Mint
joe-pye
Japanese Honeysuckle
Juniper
jungli-bean
Jujube
Korean Angelica
Kokilaksha
Kukicha
Kombucha Tea
Korean Pine
kuding tea
lemongrass
loquat
lime
Lindera aggregata
Lactobacillus delbrueckii lactis
Lebbek
Ledebouriella
Licorice (unspecified)
Litsea
Ligustilide
Lomatium
Lactobacillus brevis
lichen
Laggera pterodonta
Licorice (various)
limonene
luffa
Ligustrum
Lesser Galangal
Lactobacillus fermentum
lodhtree
Luo San
Lotus (unspecified)
Ligustrazin
Lingustilides
Lemon
Lentein
lemon Verbena
lotus
lysozyme
Lo Han Guo
Lavandula (unspecified)
labrador tea
little ironweed
Luo Han Guo
liverwort
Ligusticum
linalool
Lewis's monkey flower
Mulberry (unspecified)
Masson Pine
mandarin
Malt (unspecitied)
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Mineral ascorbate
Myrcene
mineral (unspecified)
Marjoram
Moringa
Marsh Tea
mallow
Menthol
Malt (Barley)
Morinda
Mandarin
Marine protein
Melia
Moroccan oregano
Magnesium ascorbate
Monoterpenes
Magnesium
mace
Morinda (unspecified)
maritime Pine
Molluscs
Marshmallow
Monardella odoratissima
Mountain pepper (unspecified)
Marshmallow
Myrrh
Mint (unspecified)
Momordica
Meadow sage
Marine colloids
Mastic
Mugwort
mandarin orange
Meadowsweet
marigold
Mushroom
manzanita
maple
Maytenus ilicifolia
Microcos
Mucolase
Niacinamide ascorbate
Nucno Pichana
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Neem
Naphthoquinones
Neral
Nymphaea nouchali
Natural flavor(s)
Nutmeg & Mace
Night-Blooming Cereus
Nettle (unspecified)
Niacin ascorbate
Nimbidin
Noni fiber
Ophiopogon
oregano
Orange (unspecified)
Oregon Barberry
onion
Oroxylum indicum
Oligosaccharide (unspecified)
Oligosaccharide
Osha
Orris
Orange essential oil
Oat Oil
Onosma bracteatum
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
Oxygen
Oryza sativa
Oriental Ginseng
Oldenlandia
Origanum (unspecified)
orange pigment
Peppermint leaf
Propolis
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
Phellodendron
Poria Mushrooms
Purslane
Phyllanthus
Peach
Piper chaba
polymorpha
Phenylpropanoids
Piperoylpiperidine
Polysaccharide
Peppermint essence
Phaeophyceae
Plankton
perilla
Pumpkin
pagoda tree
pangamic acid
Pentacyclic alkaloids
Pluchea
Phenolic Acid
potato
Pimpinella (unspecified)
Polygonatum (unspecified)
Prunus
Phosphate ascorbate
Poria mushroom
Papaya
Pine
Pollen
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pansit-pansitan
Phthalide
Pelargonium
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Provence Rose
Portulaca
Piper nigrum
Prickly Ash (Unspecified)
Pineapple
Polygonatum
Persimmon
Patrinia
Pinellia
Porcine (unspecified)
Probiotic (unspecified)
Parsley
Physalis angulata
Polygonatum cirrhifolium
Polygonum
Plantago (unspecified)
Peony (unspecified)
Pig
Petiveria
Prickly Ash Bark
Plantain (common or English)
phenolics (various)
Phodymprhenia pertusa
Pollen (unspecified)
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
Qunice
Quillaja
Rhemannia
Red-Rooted Sage
Rubus
Royal Jelly
Raspberry (various)
Rugose Rose
Rosabin
Raspberry (unspecified)
Red root (unspecified)
Reishi mushroom
Rice
Reishi mushroom
Raspberry
Rasperries (mixed)
Rubiaceae
Red Raspberry
Rose Hip
Rosemary
rose
Rooibos
ravinsara
Reishi
reed herb
ricinoleic acid
Sophora flavescens
Schizonepeta
Siler
Southern Prickly Ash
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sichuan Fritillary
Sophora
Sesbania
Spiked Ginger Lily
Sharp-leaf galangal
Stinging Nettle
Savory (unspecified)
Scoparia dulcis
Sete sangrias
Siberian Fir
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Shark Liver Oil
Sea vegetation (unspecified)
Sphaerotrichia
Sweet Orange
Sweet Annie
Spikenard
Squawvine
Salvia
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Sea water
Smilax
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Satsuma mandarin
Spanish Oregano
Stinging Nettle
Sacchoromyces (unspecified)
Sambucus nigra
Saccharomyces (unspecified)
Salt (Himalayan)
Sage-leaf alangium
Sweet Marjoram
Streptococcus (mixed)
sage oil
Sagebrush
Spantholobus
Stinging Nettle
Scordinin
Sinigrin
Saccharomyces cerevisae
Sweet Potato
Streptococcus Thermophilus
Sweet Violet
Sea Buckthorn
Shogaol
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Seaweed (unspecified)
Schisandrins
San-Qi Ginseng
Sodium Ascorbate
Squash (unspecified)
Sandalwood
Squash
Spanish Thyme
Scabrous Gentian
Sage
Summer Savory
Sarsaparilla (mixed)
Shiny-Leaf Prickly Ash
Sumac
Star Anise
Sweet Bay
Sambucus Nigra (unspecified)
Sesbania grandiflora
Sargassum
Schisandra
Small Cranberry
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Sassafras
Southern Elder
Sedanenolide
Terminalia
Thyme
Terpenoids
Tannin (unspecified)
Tea (unspecified)
Terpene
Tea
Thymus
Tree Turmeric
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Tonka Bean
Thiosulfanate
Tea (not specified)
triglyceride
Triterpenes
Thymol
Tree Peony
Tayuya
Turmeric
Taraxacum mongolicum
Terminalia (unspecified)
Thatch screw-pine
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Terpenoid (unspecified)
Thymus
Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
Trichosanthes
Tomato
Tulbaghia
Tannates
Tea Polyphenol
Terpene (unspecified)
Thymus satureioides
Thiosulfinate
Tarragon (unspecified)
Teri Pod
Thymus
Tremella
Uncaria sinensis
Umckaloabo
Vitamin B5
Vervain
Visnea Mocanera
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B5 (unspecified)
Vitamin C (calcium ascorbate)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Vitex negundo
Vitamin C (not specified)
Vitamin C (unspecified)
Vitamin C (ascorbic palmitate)
Vitamin A (vitamin A acetate)
Vitamin B3 (unspecified)
Vietnamese sophora
Violet
Vitamin D
Vitamin B
Vitamin B6 (not specified)
Vitamin A (unspecified)
Vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate)
Vitamin C
Violet (unspecified)
Viola
Vitricin
Vitamin B6 (various)
Water
Water Lily (unspecified)
White Pepper
White Tea
Wax Gourd
White thyme
White Rice
White Peony
Wormwood
White Pear
Watercress
Wasabia japonica
Withanolide
Worm
Water Pepper
White Nettle
Wild Bergamot
Wulinshen
Wine
White Mustard
Wood Betony
Wild Mint
William's Elder
Willow Bark
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Yuzu
Yerba buena
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yerba Santa
Yogurt
Yellow Ginger
Yeast
Zucchini
Zingiberene
Zinc Ascorbate
Zinc Picolinate
Zinc osporotate
Zinc Yeast
Zinc
Zingerone
Zinc
Zinc alpha-ketoglutarate
Zinc magnesium aspartate