Introduction
The common cold is a recurrent syndrome of upper respiratory symptoms caused by various viruses. It is characterized by sneezing, nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, cough, sore throat, and malaise. Symptoms generally persist for up to one week, with peak severity occurring during the second to third day of infection. Although the condition is usually mild and self-limiting, its high frequency contributes substantially to disease burden and reduced quality of life.1
Burden of the common cold
The common cold is among the most frequently occurring infectious conditions worldwide.
Key observations include:
- Children younger than two years may experience approximately six episodes annually.
- Adults typically experience two to three episodes each year.
- The condition contributes to significant healthcare expenditure and loss of productivity.
- The economic impact includes both direct treatment costs and indirect losses associated with reduced work performance.2
Diagnostic and management considerations
Most individuals are familiar with the symptoms of the common cold, making self-diagnosis common. However, distinguishing viral illness from bacterial conditions remains important.
Important considerations include:
- Suspected bacterial acute rhinosinusitis occurs in less than 2% of common cold cases.
- Inappropriate antibiotic use may result in more harm than benefit.
- Unnecessary antibiotic prescribing may contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
Current management primarily focuses on symptom relief and preventive measures because specific antiviral treatments for common cold viruses remain limited.3
Conventional approaches to symptom management
Management strategies generally emphasize supportive care and infection control measures.
Common approaches include:
- Personal hygiene measures
- Face masks and physical distancing during outbreaks of respiratory infections
- Avoidance of crowded environments
- Antihistamines
- Antitussives
- Decongestants
- Antipyretics
- Nasal irrigation
Nasal irrigation has also been recommended to help relieve common cold symptoms.4
Growing role of herbal and complementary therapies
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has gained widespread acceptance globally, with herbal medicine representing one of its most commonly utilized components. It is estimated that up to four billion people rely primarily on herbal medicinal products for healthcare.
The increasing use of herbal therapies is supported by:
- Growing global acceptance of CAM
- Use of herbal medicines across diverse cultures
- Recognition of herbal therapies for symptom control with a low risk of major adverse events
- Interest in integrating complementary approaches into routine clinical practice
Healthcare providers have also recognized the importance of improving their understanding of CAM to facilitate better communication and patient management.5
Traditional herbal approaches
For centuries, the Ayurveda and Jamu systems of medicine have utilized herbal therapies for respiratory ailments and common cold symptoms.
Commonly used herbal ingredients include:
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
- Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
- Peppermint (Menthae piperitae)
These herbs have traditionally been used to manage various symptoms associated with the common cold. More recently, pharmacological evidence has suggested that their benefits may be related to anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, several of these herbal ingredients have been incorporated into local and international monographs as suitable options for common cold symptom management.6
Conclusion
The common cold remains a highly prevalent viral illness with substantial health and economic implications. While management continues to focus on prevention and symptomatic relief, the growing acceptance of herbal medicine and complementary healthcare approaches has expanded available options for symptom management. Greater awareness of traditional herbal therapies and their role in contemporary practice may help support more informed patient care and communication.7
References:
1. Eccles R. Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza. Lancet Infect Dis. 2005;5(11):718-725. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(05)70270-X. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7185637/
2. Fendrick AM, Monto AS, Nightengale B, Sarnes M. The economic burden of non-influenza-related viral respiratory tract infection in the United States. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163(4):487-494. doi:10.1001/archinte.163.4.487. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/215118
3. Jaume F, Valls-Mateus M, Mullol J. Common Cold and Acute Rhinosinusitis: Up-to-Date Management in 2020. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2020;20(7):28. Published 2020 Jun 3. doi:10.1007/s11882-020-00917-5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7266914/
4. Han S, Zhang T, Lyu Y, et al. Influenza's Plummeting During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Roles of Mask-Wearing, Mobility Change, and SARS-CoV-2 Interference. Engineering (Beijing). 2023;21:195-202. doi:10.1016/j.eng.2021.12.011. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8808434/
5. Fokkens WJ, Lund VJ, Hopkins C, et al. European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020. Rhinology. 2020;58(Suppl S29):1-464. Published 2020 Feb 20. doi:10.4193/Rhin20.600. https://www.rhinologyjournal.com/Documents/Supplements/supplement_29.pdf
6. Patel SJ, Kemper KJ, Kitzmiller JP. Physician perspectives on education, training, and implementation of complementary and alternative medicine. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2017;8:499-503. Published 2017 Jul 25. doi:10.2147/AMEP.S138572. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5536234/
7. Wardani RS, Schellack N, Govender T, et al. Treatment of the common cold with herbs used in Ayurveda and Jamu: monograph review and the science of ginger, liquorice, turmeric and peppermint. Drugs Context. 2023;12:2023-2-12. Published 2023 Jun 14. doi:10.7573/dic.2023-2-12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10278442/#b2-dic-2023-2-12