<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Thanks to all 35 of you who responded. My comments are in brackets at the end some of the suggestions. In no particular order here's the information I received: -- take zinc lozenges (one person said to double the dose at the onset). These lozenges must contain at least 22 or 23 mg of Zinc Gluconate and be designed to 'melt in your mouth'. Usual dosage is one lozenge every two (2) hours. You can take up to 6 per day for a maximum of three days. Don't chew these or swallow whole, as the zinc gluconate must contact the mucuous membranes of the mouth/throat to have any effect. [zinc had the most recommendations] -- The absolute best thing for a cold is Zi-Cam. For some reason it still remains a "best kept secret"! It is gf and is a gel that you put up in your nose. You do NOT sniff it up into the nose, but just place it in the nose. You have to be aware that you are catching a cold and use it at the very first sign of one. It works like a charm! Many times I have completely thwarted the cold and only had a sore throat for 2 or 3 days. It is the best thing "since sliced bread"! It is pricey and everyone in the house must have their own, but it is wonderful. Sometimes I start taking it, when someone else in the household has a cold. It keeps me from getting the cold! Zi Cam is not nearly as effective if the cold gets a real head start. To work well, it HAS to be taken at the first sign of a cold, but man, it really works if one "jumps" on the cold. -- Of course, the old adage one heard from mom is effective too. Washing one's hands all the time. One of the reasons this doesn't work for some people is that most people do NOT wash their hands long enough. A study has been done that says hand washing should be done for at least 50 seconds. -- get a new tooth brush so you don't reinfect yourself. [didn't know this was possible]. -- a flu shot helps lessen the severity, plus lots of rest. -- a homeopathic remedy called Alpha CF (colds & flu) greatly lessens symptoms and can shorten a cold if taken right at the beginning. -- drink lots of hot herbal teas plus hot soups. Also sweat it out by wearing layers of warm clothes. -- take grape seed, an antitoxin, available in pill form from health food stores. -- take colloidal silver once or twice a day to fight off infections. -- take antibiotics [my physician does not prescribe these for the common cold]. -- use a product called "Wellness" [person couldn't remember the mfgr. but said it works extremely well]. -- drink a mix of Elderberry and Slippery Elm tea. Slippery Elm can be found under the name "Throat Coat". -- elminating dairy will lessen mucus. Drink more water & hot chicken broth. -- homeopathic cold medicine called "Cold Calm" made by Boiron. You let two tablets dissolve under your tongue every two hours up to six times a day. Usually you don't have to use it this often. You get temporary relief for the cold symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and minor sore throat. One box lasts a long time and my recent purchase is good until Sept. 2005, so you don't have to throw it out after a year. -- chew raw garlic. Take a clove of garlic, crush it or chop it into small pieces, let it sit for 5 minutes (oxygen activates something in the juices that stimulates the immune system), then swallow it like a pill. Use plenty of water if you like. If you don't chew it in your mouth, you shouldn't have residual garlic breath. Do this for 7 - 10 days, especially if you notice a marked improvement, even if you are feeling better, you can relapse over night if you don't run the whole course. [I have been told that eating chocolate afterwards eliminates garlic breath]. -- take Beta Glucan and Colostrum both immune boosters. They really, really help. -- plain old Vicks Vaporub dabbed on your upper lip helps, too. It's actually the menthol and eucalyptus vapors in the Vicks which help ease the stuffy, runny nose symptoms. By putting it on your upper lip you can just inhale it. If you don't like putting it on your skin, put some on a tissue and hold the tissue near your nose from time to time to inhale the vapors. Don't waste time using Vicks in a vaporizer - you don't get enough that way. -- use smelling salts. put rock salt (available at grocery stores) in a small glass jar and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil (available at healthfood or herb supply stores.) Keep jar capped until you need a sniff or two. Just open the lid, inhale deeply once or twice, then put the cap back on. This may be a more convenient and less messy method. Be sure to label the jar and keep it out of the reach of kids, pets, etc. -- use buffered Vitamin C which is easier for your body to absorb. There you have it--thanks again to everyone.