I don’t have to tell any of you that it is cold season. You no doubt are either sick yourself or are hearing friends, family members and co-workers sniffling and coughing. It used to be that all anyone would take for a cold was over-the-counter remedies which may make your life a little more pleasant while you fight off the bug. However, they tend to dry out my nasal passages and throat and leave me feeling in a fog.

It’s not surprising that more people have turned to homeopathic treatments. Many of these alternatives offer folks relief without the side effects and worries of traditional medicines. I should however mention that it is important to do your homework before taking an alternative treatment. They don’t require FDA approval so many times, they have not been evaluated for safety or effectiveness.

I have to make a pitch for my favorite homeopathic cold remedy which is from Nature’s Way. It’s called Umcka ColdCare and it’s made from pelargonium sidoides, a geranium found only in South Africa. The natives have used it for centuries to shorten the duration of all kinds of minor throat, sinus and brochial irritations and infections. I find that it really makes a huge difference in how long my cold lasts and how severe they are. If I take it at the first sign of a cold and continue using it two days past the end of my symptoms, I can pretty much function normally and avoid the over-the-counter cold medicines.

Do any of you out there use a homeopathic cold remedy? If so, tell us about it. If not, tell us why.