The nose is closed, itchy throat, you feel weak and tired – these are clear signs that an infection is approaching. Especially when the immune system – for example, due to stress – is already battered, one is particularly vulnerable. A cold or flu is an infection of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat or bronchial tubes. Although, according to an old folk saying, such an infection “lasts a week without treatment and seven days with treatment,” you can still get rid of your cold faster with a few tips and tricks. We present some over-the-counter, herbal and homeopathic medicines, as well as various home remedies for colds.
Angocin Anti-Infect N
Angocin Anti-Infekt N is among the herbal remedies for colds. Among the ingredients are nasturtium and horseradish. Both substances contain so-called mustard oils, which are responsible for the healing effect of Angocin. In monastic medicine, mustard oils have been used for centuries to treat colds and sinusitis, as well as tonsillitis and urinary tract infections. Meanwhile, their effect has also been scientifically proven: Mustard oils slow down the growth of pathogens and kill not only bacteria and viruses, but also fungi and yeasts. The mustard oils contained in Angocin enter the blood via the intestines, then circulate through our body and finally accumulate in excretory organs such as the lungs or kidneys. In the case of an infection of the upper respiratory tract or urinary tract, the mustard oils can thus kill the bacteria directly on site. This represents a major difference of Angocin compared to, for example, antibiotics. Side effects of Angocin Anti-Infekt N are hardly known so far, sporadically gastrointestinal complaints may occur. The drug should not be taken in cases of ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract or acute kidney inflammation. Depending on how severe the infection is, it is recommended to take 4 to 5 film-coated tablets of Angocin Anti Infekt N 3 to 5 times a day. The daily dose for children is about 3 times 2 film-coated tablets. In lower doses, Angocin can also be taken for a longer period of time for prophylaxis of an infection, especially influenza in winter. For the exact dosage of Angocin, please ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Imupret
Imupret, just like Angocin, is a purely herbal medicine. It contains chamomile flowers, marshmallow root, yarrow, dandelion, and horsetail herb, among other ingredients. Imupret is used for respiratory diseases such as tonsillitis, sinusitis and bronchitis. On the one hand, Imupret has an immune-strengthening effect, and on the other hand, it also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Due to its immune-strengthening effect, taking Imupret is recommended at the first signs of illness. Alternatively, Meditonsin can be taken at the beginning of a cold. Meditonsin fights and relieves the symptoms of inflammation of the throat, nose and pharynx. During an acute infection, adults should take two dragées or 25 drops of Imupret 5 to 6 times a day. For children, the dose is lower. Just like Angocin, Imupret can also be used preventively to protect against colds. More detailed information on dosage can be found in the package leaflet or obtained from your doctor or pharmacist. As a possible side effect of Imupret, it should be mentioned here that in rare cases allergic skin reactions may occur as a result of taking it.
Metavirulent
Metavirulent is a homeopathic medicine used for acute flu-like infections as well as for their prevention. It is a complex remedy, as it is composed of various individual remedies: it contains viral (Influencinum nosode), as well as herbal and mineral agents. Nosodes promote the attack on the body’s defenses, thus activating the immune system of the respective organ. Therefore, as with other homeopathic remedies, symptoms may initially worsen after ingestion. Beyond that, however, further side effects of Metavirulent are not known. Unless otherwise prescribed by the doctor, adults should take a maximum of twelve times a day 5 to 10 drops during an acute infection. The drug is not suitable for children as it contains 37% alcohol by volume. Therefore, Metavirulent should not be used by alcoholics.If, in the case of high fever, there is no improvement in health after three days despite taking Metavirulent, a doctor should be consulted. He or she can also give you more specific information about the dosage of Metavirulent.
Home remedies for the common cold
When you have a cold, you should first make sure to drink enough fluids. Especially when you have a fever, it is important to drink a lot. For flu-like infections, special cold and cough teas are good. In addition, you should get plenty of rest and take it easy during a cold. It is also important to ventilate the lounge regularly. A cold bath or a warm foot bath can also help to relieve symptoms. However, if the fever is high, bathing should be avoided, and it is better to use measures that control the fever, such as calf wraps. If, on the other hand, the nose is closed, inhalation can help: The vapors of a saline solution (one tablespoon of salt per liter of water) are particularly suitable. However, due to the risk of scalding, children should never be left unattended when inhaling. In addition to these general tips, you can also fight your cold with various home remedies from grandma’s time: a brew of onion pieces, brown rock candy and dried blackberry leaves is particularly popular for colds. The mixture is boiled briefly and then drunk hot. Chicken soup is also recommended for colds, as it is said to have an anti-inflammatory effect. For sore throats, on the other hand, a quark poultice can help: For this, spread curd on a cloth and place it around the neck. Tie a woolen scarf over it and leave the curd on for a quarter of an hour. Also helpful for sore throats is gargling with lemon juice, chamomile tea or salt water.
