As cold and flu season intensifies, many turn to home remedies for relief. However, a new report from German physician Dr.Stefan Wilm suggests that some popular treatments-like alcoholic beverages and chicken soup-might potentially be ineffective or even detrimental. According to Dr. Wilm, prioritizing rest, hydration, and a balanced diet are key to supporting the bodyS natural defenses, and a detailed guide outlining preventative measures is available for download to help readers prepare.
Alcohol is counterproductive when you have a cold. Dr. Stefan Wilm explains which home remedies are overrated and what you should do instead.
When you’re battling a cold – a scratchy throat, stuffy nose, and general fatigue – your immune system is working hard to fight off viruses. Knowing how to best support these natural defenses is key to a quicker recovery. While some strategies demonstrably speed healing, others may actually hinder it. As cold and flu season peaks, understanding effective remedies is crucial for public health.
According to Dr. Stefan Wilm, a Düsseldorf-based general practitioner, certain approaches are more effective than others – and some should be avoided altogether.
Guide: Protecting Yourself from the Flu
This PDF guide offers concise information on transmission routes, prevention, and vaccination recommendations – including a personalized protection plan. Download as a PDF here.
Liquor Instead of Cough Syrup – Is There Any Truth to That?
Whether it’s hot grog on the North Sea coast or herbal schnapps in the Alps, alcoholic cold remedies promise a warming sensation from within. However, research paints a different picture: high-proof alcohol does more harm than good. Dr. Wilm emphasizes that regular alcohol consumption weakens the immune system and makes people more susceptible to infection. It has no impact on the duration of a cold. And alcohol also fails as a sleep aid, as the body wakes up again once the alcohol level drops.
A better alternative is warm, alcohol-free beverages: herbal teas or warm milk with honey provide the body with warmth and fluids without compromising the immune system.
The verdict on other cold remedies is also disappointing. According to the physician, vitamin C, zinc, or ginger shots have “no influence whatsoever on whether we catch a cold and, if so, how long we are sick.” Even the legendary chicken soup proves to be overrated – a warm vegetable soup has the same soothing effect and is more environmentally friendly.
The classics, however, are effective: a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables, sufficient sleep, and regular exercise.
You can learn more in the full article on 24vita.de:
► What wet hair and cold feet really do in winter.
► When exercise becomes dangerous with a cold.
► Why cold medications don’t cure.
► Whether lingering colds are harmless or risky.
The Expert
Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Wilm is a general practitioner, internist, and geriatrician. He was a family doctor in Cologne for 26 years. He is the director of the Institute for General Practice at the Centre for Health and Society at the University Hospital Düsseldorf.
Protect yourself during cold and flu season with our PDF guide “Protecting Yourself from the Flu” – download it for free here.
