Treating spring colds: that pesky rhinovirus knows no season.(Women's health: natural solutions for common problems)

This time of the year, my office is flooded with questions about treatments for those symptoms that we thought we had escaped once the dark days of winter had passed: achy body, scratchy throat, cough, runny nose, stuffy head and that rundown feeling that sends us off to bed.

Whatever the season, the common cold is an acute viral infection--most often a rhinovirus or influenza--characterized by the inflammation of any or all of the airways including the nose, throat, sinuses, larynx, trachea and bronchi. The onset of a cold is usually abrupt after a 1- to 3-day incubation period, starting with throat or nose discomfort or burning, followed by sneezing, runny nose or malaise. Most colds last 4-10 days, and it's not uncommon for people to have a chronic respiratory irritation that remains after the infection has resolved, so it's best to continue using these natural treatments for several days after your cold symptoms have subsided.

Natural Strategies

First of all: Rest. Resting during the early stages of a cold will help the most, as will drinking plenty of fluids-dehydration works against the body's immune response.

Also, try to eliminate stressor foods such as caffeine, sugar, processed foods, dairy products, refined carbohydrates and known food allergens. Eat more fruits and vegetables, especially in soups and stews, with small amounts of whole grains, beans, miso and meat broths.

Herbs

Echinacea (E. angustifolia, E. purpurea, E. pallida) is well known for its immune-modulating activity; for stimulating the body's defense system; for increasing secretions from the lymphatic system, mucus membranes and skin; and for having strong anti-influenza activity. This well-researched plant has been shown to shorten the duration and reduce the severity of colds, influenza and upper respiratory infections.