i was just checking another thread and it made me think -

it was that thread about persistent colds/flu, and everyone seemed to be mostly taking natural remedies...with poor results -

so the question is, are these natural remedies actually any good, or is doing what i do (shove a pack of nurofen cold+flu / sudafed down, couple of days later - all clear) the best way?

the chemical way seems to work loads better, although remains deeply unfashionable...but whats the point of taking 'horse-hoove dirt' and 'japanese knot weed linctus' if it aint doing owt?

answers on a postcard please...!

A short answer would be: behold the power of the placebo effect. If you think it's doing some good, then chances are it might very well do you some good.

If the alternative treatment of your choice doesn't actaully contain a toxic concentration of belladonna or something, then go ahead and take it; it probably won't do you any harm. The exception to this rule is that if you're taking any GP-prescribed medication, you should always check with him/her or the pharmacist to see if there might be any unexpected interactons.

In many cases, colds etc are self-limiting ie, they'll get better in due course without any intervention at all. All you can do is treat the symptoms - headache, sore throat etc - with the chemical (artificial or natural) of your choice.

What you are talking about is treating the symptoms anyway John.
So a painkiller and decongestant will control those whether they are natural or synthesised chemicals.