gms | German Medical Science

Complementary medicine is widely used for the therapy of common cold. As only slight data are available on the scientific valuation of complementary therapy, this experiential report was conducted. The aim of this report was to retrospectively document the therapy of 200 patients treated with the homeopathic remedy STW 11 in case of common cold. STW 11 (Influex^®) contains the extract from purple coneflower (Echinacea, mother tincture), and in addition dilutions of monkshood, venom of honey bee and bushmaster snake (Aconitum, Apis and Lachesis). The observation period started in 2007 after a therapy of common cold with STW11 and ended after a 2-year follow-up phase in 2009. The chosen patients had to exhibit at least one of the following symptoms “running nose” and “mucus in throat”. Data were collected during five visits at the physician (up to 21 days) by a documentation sheet: Variables of 4 fields were examined by a 9-point-likert-scale: Fever/aching, cough, throat and nose. Additionally duration of disease and CRP value were determined. Days of illness and number of infections were counted by the physician and the quantity before therapy with STW 11was compared to the 2-year follow-up phase. The data indicated that the therapy with STW11 was successful especially for treatment of common cold with mild symptoms or in the beginning of the disease. Here, a remission was detectable after 4.4 days (average score). Additionally, the evaluation of the physician determined a decrease of subsequent infections as well as the days of illness (minus 6.5 days/24 month). During the evaluation period no adverse events were detected. In summary, this experiential report elucidates that the therapy of common cold with the complementary medicine STW11 is compatible and very tolerable.