A doctor who often appears on BBC Morning Live has shed some much-needed light on what actually makes a difference when you are battling a cold. Pointing out which home remedies work a treat and which are for the bin, he revealed that the most effective method might already be sitting in your kitchen.
During his chat with the programme’s hosts, Dr Oscar Duke noted that although colds are unavoidable for many of us across the UK, there are ways to speed up your recovery. However, he also urged viewers to be cautious, reminding them that not every method will work, so they should not hold out too much hope for some of them, as it could be nothing more than an old wives’ tale.
He said: “It’s that time of year and it always inevitable comes along just at the moment of the big event you’ve been waiting for or the office party or whatever it is that is getting you excited as you approach Christmas. Of course, we’re all inside, all the viruses that caused these things are lurking and being spread – mainly airborne or in close contact, and as the weather gets colder, we’re shoved inside into these smaller spaces which have less ventilation.”
In answer to the question “can you cure a cold?”, he said no and explained that a cold is caused by viruses. They evolve and change constantly, sometimes becoming more severe, which is why symptoms can worsen and you may notice you feel worse than last time. Because they continue to change and mutate, we’re able to catch colds again. That’s why they’re such a problem and why finding a cure is so difficult, he stressed.
During a light-hearted game with the doctor, the presenters asked him about various potential old wives’ tales to see whether any were worth trying. To help debunk the myths we often hear, Dr Oscar Duke used a red ‘no’ paddle and a green ‘yes’ paddle.
True or false?
Honey
Asked whether honey is an old wives tale or if it really helps with colds, he said: “Not actually a bad idea. If you go to the NICE guidance for acute cough, you will find honey in there as something you can do to self-help at home.
“Some studies have shown some benefit again, not curing, but reducing the severity of the symptoms so they get patient to give a score of how bad their symptoms are and it does go down by a couple of points for people using honey.
“So people using honey, lemon and ginger – it’s soothing. It’s a bit of sugar. It will make them feel a little bit better – often you have in a warm drink and that’s helpful as well because that warmth is nice for the back of the throat. So we will give honey a yes.”
Onions
Another viewer wrote in to say their mum used to hang a bag of onions on the door. In response, the BBC doctor said this idea dates back centuries and may not be helpful. He explained: “I think this is something that you hear about and it comes from history – even in the 1600s when we didn’t really fully understand how viruses and things were spread, they thought that there was something in the foul air.
“So in terms of plagues, and all these sorts of conditions, they would hang these bags of onions on the back of the door. The air probably didn’t smell great anyway, but if you were breathing in a different smell, then maybe you weren’t getting it. Obviously that does not help, and it’s going to be a definite no.”
Garlic
Garlic is a kitchen must-have. But can it really help a cold? The short answer? No. The long answer? “I hear a lot of chat about garlic and garlic has some anti-inflammatory properties. But overall, I see a lot of patients who are a big fan of garlic”, Dr Duke said.
Joking that it may work to keep people away if you have a smelly breath, he added: “People really believe in this, and if it works for you and it’s not doing any harm, then why not give it a try – even if there is a placebo effect. But I’ve got to say the number of people whose throats I have to look into who I’ve just had a whole bulb garlic. I’m never grateful for that.
“I would not recommend putting in your ear, which I’ve had people do hat. I’ve had to remove bits of garlic from their ear, but overall it’s going to be a no for the garlic.”
