Do natural remedies help with children's colds?

Hacking, coughing, sneezing, and dripping, the patients make their way to the pediatric office seeking relief. One recent week, a mom questioned whether “natural” elderberry juice would help her congested eight-year-old, and a dad told me he was pretty certain zinc tablets would shorten the duration of his teen's sniffles.

The good news is that these two patients just had upper respiratory tract infections — common colds — and didn't need antibiotics or other heavy-duty treatments. The bad news is I really didn't have anything to offer other than encouragement that recovery was right around the corner.

Colds typically last from two days to two weeks, so it's no wonder that parents look for ways to help their kids during these minor, but still uncomfortable illnesses.

The National Institutes of Health report that about 12 percent of American children — often kids with colds — are treated with complementary, nontraditional health products or practices. These alternative treatments can be found all over the Internet but, as always, it's a good idea to hunt through reputable sources before trying any advertised remedies.

In a comprehensive look at URI treatments in the journal American Family Physician, Indiana physician Julia Fashner and colleagues review several potentially effective alternative therapies for pediatric colds. (Keep in mind that none of the therapies were studied in children under the age of one.)

Applying topical vapor rub to a child's chest and neck can have some positive effects on cough and sleep, but the Indiana group comments that some kids might not appreciate its strong smell.

The research team finds some evidence that buckwheat honey helps reduce cough and improve sleep quality, but cautions that it should not be given to kids under one year of age due to botulism risk.

Zinc sulfate appears to shorten the duration of a cold if it's started on the first day of symptoms, but the family physicians note that the lozenge form can cause nausea in some children. Experts at the NIH also warn against the use of intranasal zinc products which can cause a prolonged or, in some cases even permanent, loss of the sense of smell.

The AFP journal authors report that saline nasal irrigation can make it easier for kids with colds to breath through their noses and can thin out nasal secretions and help ease sore throats. However, since improper use can lead to serious infections, the Food and Drug Administration offers a web link with tips on correct use of these irrigation tools (http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm316375.htm).

The NIH states that current evidence does not support the use of elderberry (Sambucus nigra) in the treatment of the common cold and also notes that there is no proof that the more commonly known plant product, echinacea does anything to help prevent or treat colds.

• Dr. Helen Minciotti is a mother of five and a pediatrician with a practice in Schaumburg. She formerly chaired the Department of Pediatrics at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.