"People cannot assume that homeopathic or natural products are safe," commented Dr. Adam Perlman, executive director of the Institute for Complementary & Alternative Medicine at the UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions, following a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement advising consumers not to use certain Zicam Cold Remedies. According to the FDA, the intranasal zinc product was linked to loss of sense of smell.

Perlman also suggests that consumers carefully follow dosage instructions for all over-the-counter homeopathic and "natural" cold remedies. "Overusage tends to occur with homeopathic or natural products because, again, people assume they are safe, but excess doses may be harmful," he said.

The jury is still out on the effectiveness of herbs, such as Echinacea, and homeopathic or natural remedies, including those providing a boost of zinc or vitamin C, on cold symptoms, but some may be viable alternatives to medication, Perlman said. "A holistic approach to dealing with a cold also includes getting plenty of rest and a healthy diet," according to Perlman.