Common cold is as common as its name, and while there are over the counter medicines available, people do take refuge to home-remedies. The most common remedy that people often opt for is chicken soup. Every one has their own take on cold remedies, from orange juice to zin lozenges, chicken soup to garlic capsules and more.Colds are practically everywhere and are caused by more than 200 viruses. Our immune system has two protective mechanisms: the innate system, which removes invaders, and the adaptive system, which generates memory cells to battle known threats. Unfortunately, because cold viruses are constantly mutating, we can get them many times a year.Because nutrition and lifestyle influence immunological health, several home remedies attempt to boost our bodies' defences. Can any of these medicines withstand scientific scrutiny?Can These Supplements Actually Help?If you already eat a well-balanced diet, adding extra nutrients will not instantly boost your immune system. Experts feel that supplements are only useful if you are deficient in essential vitamins or minerals such as zinc, iron, or vitamin C.However, some studies suggest that garlic may help prevent colds. One study tracked 146 people for 12 weeks over the winter and discovered that those who took garlic supplements had significantly fewer colds (24 vs. 65 in the placebo group) and sick days (111 vs. 366). While the research is limited, it looks that garlic might help.So, Does Vitamin C actually work?A 2023 review found that vitamin C reduces the severity of common cold symptoms like a runny nose and sore throat by about 15%.Vitamin C seems to work better on severe cold symptoms than mild ones.While supplements might help, orange juice doesn’t pack enough vitamin C to make a big difference.What About Zinc?One review found that taking 80-92mg of zinc acetate lozenges daily within 24 hours of symptoms cut the duration of a cold by a third and reduced sneezing and coughing.Another study found no benefit from 72mg zinc lozenges taken for five days, but researchers say dosage and duration might explain the difference.Zinc lozenges (not tablets or food sources) seem to be most effective since they dissolve in the throat, where the virus is active.Placebo EffectOther home remedies which are not part of supplements are often treated for its power of placebo effect. A study on echinacea found that people who believed it helped colds experienced shorter, milder illness, even when the home remedy actually had no impact.Same is the case with milk. There are people who believe that milk in fact increases mucus, and lead to more congestion. As a result, it worsens the cold. However, no research could prove that.This means placebo effects work on trusted sources, it could be a doctor or even someone at your home, who may hand you over a bowl of chicken soup for your cold to get better. It works if you believe it to. Chicken soups, however, are more of a comfort food, and it makes you feel better rather than actually curing a cold.