Three better choices than general cold medicine when feeling under the weather

Many people look for over-the-counter cold medicines when experiencing simple symptoms like muscle aches or chills. However, many ingredients in multi-symptom cold medicines are unnecessary for relieving body aches. It is more efficient to take pain relievers and fever reducers, herbal remedies like Ge Gen Tang, or vitamin B complex instead.

◇If you feel fatigued and take excessive amounts of general cold medicine, and there are no runny nose, cough, or phlegm, but you have a slight fever, muscle aches, chills, etc., it can be considered a simple fatigue. Many people look for general cold medicine at pharmacies in such cases. However, general cold medicines contain ingredients such as pain relievers and fever reducers, antihistamines, vasoconstrictors, sympathomimetics, and cough suppressants. These are excessive ingredients for simple fatigue. Sensitive individuals may experience side effects. For example, sympathomimetics like ephedrine are used to eliminate phlegm and open blocked noses but can cause palpitations or insomnia. Antihistamines like brompheniramine, which are used to relieve allergy symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing, can cause dry mouth and drowsiness.

◇Antipyretic and analgesic drugs Fever is one of the body's defense systems. When our body is infected by viruses or bacteria, the immune system activates, and immune substances like cytokines stimulate the brain's temperature regulation center, causing the body temperature to rise. Antipyretics are medications that lower abnormal elevated body temperature caused by fever to normal levels. They act directly on the temperature regulation center to control the balance of heat production and loss, and since they generally also have analgesic effects, they are effective for body aches or early cold symptoms. Common ingredients in antipyretic and analgesic drugs include acetaminophen and ibuprofen. While ibuprofen is more effective than acetaminophen in relieving muscle pain, it is also known to potentially cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as heartburn.

Galguntang is an excellent herbal medicine for early symptoms of body aches. Its main mechanism is through inducing sweating to help the body's immune response against viruses or bacterial infections. Galguntang contains ▲Galgun (kudzu root) ▲Gyeji (cinnamon twig) ▲Ma-huang (ephedra) ▲Jakyak (peony root) ▲Gamhwo (licorice) ▲Saenggang (ginger) ▲Gak (dried jujube) ▲Daechu (jujube) and others. Ma-huang promotes sweating on the body's surface to reduce fever, while Galgun, Jakyak, and Gamhwo relax tense muscles. Gyeji, Saenggang, and Daechu supply energy to the body and facilitate smooth metabolic functions. However, since Ma-huang contains a small amount of ephedrine, a sympathomimetic agent, individuals sensitive to caffeine may prefer Insampaedoksan instead of Galguntang.

Vitamin B complex, also known as the immune vitamin, is involved in the production of T-lymphocytes, which are part of the body's immune system. If the level of vitamin B in the body is sufficient, it can help prevent diseases such as colds and allergies caused by weakened immunity. Among the B vitamins, B6, B9, and B12 play particularly important roles in initiating the first immune response at the front line when pathogens enter our bodies. Additionally, the B vitamins assist in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, helping the body generate energy to fight even when viruses invade. They also ensure that nutrients from food are well utilized and perform their functions, contributing to improved immunity. Vitamin B is abundant in meats, fish, grains, and vegetables, and can be maintained at adequate levels through a balanced diet.

<Source: Health Chosun>