Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Moisture—such as that provided by humidifiers, steam inhalation, or simply increasing humidity in a room—has traditionally been used as a supportive measure during colds. The rationale is that moist air may soothe irritated nasal passages and throat, loosen mucus, and make it easier to expel. This use has a long history in folk and traditional medicine, where steam inhalation or humidification is commonly recommended to relieve symptoms of respiratory infections, including the common cold.

However, scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of moisture or humidification in preventing or treating colds is limited. Most studies focus on symptomatic relief rather than actual prevention or cure. A few small studies suggest that humidified air may help relieve nasal congestion and throat discomfort, but systematic reviews (such as those by the Cochrane Collaboration) have found insufficient evidence to recommend steam inhalation as an effective treatment for the common cold. There is also no robust evidence that humidified environments reduce the incidence of colds. Thus, while the practice is traditional and may provide subjective comfort, its efficacy is not strongly supported by scientific research.

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