(Image source from: Is your cold remedy effective?})

Do you reach out for ibuprofen every time a cold strikes? If yes, then it's time to tick off the drug from your shopping list for good. Here is why.

The British Medical Journal conducted a test and found that when people suffering from respiratory tract infections like sore throats, cold, chest infection and ear infection took paracetamol and ibuprofen or both when ill and came back with aggravated symptoms a month later.

A possible explanation of this could be that ibuprofen is known to assuage inflammation, an inflammatory response which is a part of the body's immune response to infection.

But then, the big question is, if ibuprofen doesn't really work for cold, what does? Is your other winter pick-me-ups like honey, echinacea and chicken soup the really wonder drug? Let's find out.

Chicken soup, also known as 'Jewish Penicillin' has been used for ages to cure cold. Scientific studies have proved that chicken soup helps n the movement of neutrophils, a kind of immune cell that helps muscus loosen up. Experts, however, opine that a bowl of chicken soup has necessary nutrition to help the body recoup, but it's effectiveness in treating cold is dubious.
While most people endorse honey and lemon for sore throat, there has been no robust research done to prove its usefulness towards the same. A hot lemon and honey drink may help just like any other warm drink, but its effects are temporary.

Steam inhalation is good to unclog your congested nose and soothe inflamed voice box. But this too is temporary.

Popping Vitamin D pills can make you immune to respiratory illnesses, but can't really help treat it when you are actually down with a flu.

AW: Suchorita Dutta Choudhury