Top 7 Natural Cold Remedies: Do They Work?

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Are herbal remedies safe?

The good news is that, in general, most of these compounds won't hurt you, says Dr. Campbell (although it can't hurt to check with your doctor).

And there may be another upside to herbal supplements. "I believe that most of the over-the-counter products just mask symptoms, which is great to get you through the day," Dr. Leopold says. "But a lot of the oral supplements are working more with the body, maybe stimulating the immune system and also helping the body to heal."

"I don't recommend that any of my patients take any of this stuff every day, but as soon as they have a little runny nose and a scratchy throat, they should hit it hard," he adds. "Err on the side of caution."