Alternative treatments used for the common cold

A

2007 meta-analyses conclude that there is some evidence that echinacea may reduce either the duration or severity of the common cold, but results are not consistent.^[7]

Use of echinacea preparations is not currently recommended.^{[1][8][9][10][11][12]}

Chicken soup

In the twelfth century, Moses Maimonides wrote, "Chicken soup ... is recommended as an excellent food as well as medication."^[13] Since then, there have been numerous reports in the United States that chicken soup alleviates the symptoms of the common cold. Even usually staid medical journals have published tongue-in-cheek articles on the alleged medicinal properties of chicken soup.^[14][15][16]

Pelargonium sidoides extract

A 2013 Cochrane review found tentative evidence of benefit with Pelargonium sidoides for the symptoms of the common cold; however, the quality of the evidence was very poor.^[17]

Steam inhalation

Many people believe that steam inhalation reduces cold symptoms.^[18] There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine usage of steam inhalation for treating the common cold.^[3] There have been reports of children being badly burned by accidentally spilling the water used for steam inhalation.^[19][20]

Evidence does not support a relationship between cold temperature exposure or a "chill" (feeling of coldness) and the common cold.^[21]

References