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Q: A few days ago, I got the sniffles and a sore throat.  Then I developed a cough.  Needless to say, I freaked out thinking I might have caught COVID.  Luckily, the test was negative.  I am suffering pretty classic cold symptoms and would like to take something that would enhance my immune system.  Are there any natural remedies that I could order online?

A: A surprising number of supplements can help the body resist infection.  Vitamin C is controversial, but a recent review concludes that “cold symptoms have been shown to be less severe and resolve more quickly with oral vitamin C with a dose-dependent effect” (Nutrients, Dec. 7, 2020).  Vitamin D is also useful against respiratory infections.  The minerals zinc and selenium have well-established antiviral activity (BMJ Nutrition, Prevention, and Health, May 20, 2020).  You may also want to consider botanical medicines such as elderberry, astragalus and Andrographis.  All of these have been shown to be helpful for treating coughs and other cold symptoms.  You can learn more about these herbal remedies as well as the nutraceuticals in our eGuide to Colds, Coughs & the Flu.  This online resource may be found in the Health eGuides section of our website, www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.  In addition, it contains information on how to make Grandma Graedon’s medicinal (and delicious) chicken soup and how to use dark chocolate to calm a cough.  It also offers simple instructions on another of our favorite cold remedies, hot ginger tea.