| The cure for the common cold would be an invaluable | | | | effectiveness in 120 head cold cases. Almost half of |
| invention. The person who invented it would move | | | | them took Airborne for five days and reported the |
| from an ordinary life, to fame. Thanks to a great deal | | | | elimination of all cold symptoms compared to those |
| of media buzz, and a plug from Oprah, one woman | | | | who took an orange-flavored placebo, explained |
| already achieved such fame. | | | | McDowell. |
| Victoria Knight-McDowell is the creator of the | | | | The company is careful, however, to sidestep making |
| Airborne cold remedy. It is a naturopathic blend of | | | | medical claims. Their product label contains the typical |
| vitamins and herbs that Knight-McDowell claims will, | | | | "This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, |
| "fight the airborne germs and viruses that are all | | | | or prevent disease," disclaimer. |
| around." | | | | On the market, there is much debate over this |
| Her story is well known by those in the health | | | | product. Some people complain that they receive |
| community by now. She was a second grade teacher | | | | hives and chills from the use of Airborne, others |
| at Spreckels Elementary School in Carmel, California. | | | | swear that it cured them, and still others say it is an |
| Knight-McDowell had grown tired of bringing home | | | | overpriced scam. With all of these opinions, how is it |
| more than paperwork from school. She was bringing | | | | possible to know who is right? |
| back nasty colds to share with her family. | | | | The answer is that all of them are correct. Airborne |
| She recalled, "Back to school meant back to being | | | | is made up of various vitamins that have been |
| exposed to germy students." That is when she | | | | associated with speeding up cold recovery such as |
| decided to do something about this inconvenience | | | | Vitamin C and even more importantly Zinc (according |
| that so many people around the world face. | | | | to Dr. Stengler). It also has several herbal remedies |
| While a second grade elementary school teacher with | | | | such as the popular Echinacea, Chinese Vitex, and |
| no notable background in medicine or healthcare does | | | | Forsythia to name a few. These all have studies both |
| not seem like an idealistic candidate for the creator | | | | confirming and rejecting their ability to reduce cold |
| of the common cold "remedy," the public apparently | | | | symptoms. |
| had no qualms. | | | | The rash and chills that some people experience can |
| After consulting with her nutritionist, Knight-McDowell | | | | be attributed to an allergic reaction to Echinacea. This |
| and her husband Rider McDowell founded Airborne | | | | is not an uncommon allergy, and effects people no |
| Incorporated. It made an immediate profit far beyond | | | | matter what form of Echinacea they ingest. |
| what the two could have imagined. | | | | To those that would say that it cured them, several |
| When asked about him and his wife's sudden | | | | natural medical doctors would agree. Airborne |
| success, he explained, "We're pretty much reluctant | | | | contains all of the herbal and vitamin remedies that |
| entrepreneurs." | | | | have long been hailed as remedies for the cold. |
| Reluctant as he may be, the sales have tripled every | | | | Additionally, those who would say that Airborne is |
| year since the company's inception in 1997. "Every | | | | over hyped scam could also be telling the truth. All of |
| year, except this year that is" He said in 2007. | | | | the ingredients within Airborne can be obtained in a |
| According to McDowell, in 2007 their sales increased | | | | pill, tea, or whole form at a health food and grocery |
| seven times from the year before. | | | | store. While Airborne costs nearly 10 dollars for a |
| The surge in sales is primarily attributed to a recent | | | | container of 9 pills, one could put together their own |
| Oprah Winfrey show. Oprah had Knight-McDowell on | | | | remedy for about 14 dollars for over 200 servings. |
| her show as a guest, and raved about the product. | | | | Hundreds of people are wondering whether or not |
| Once Oprah gave the product the green light as the | | | | they should they purchase Airborne. The answer is |
| "miracle" cold remedy, the product started flying off | | | | simple. If a person is comfortable going to a health |
| of the shelves. | | | | food store and putting together supplements |
| Back in 2007, retailers struggled to keep up with the | | | | themselves, then that person can get a great deal |
| demand. Only recently did supply finally catch up to | | | | more for their money. If someone would rather pay |
| demand, as the company decided to raise production. | | | | for the creators of Airborne to do the work for |
| McDowell said, "The products buzz has made keeping | | | | them, then Airborne seems like the product to buy. |
| up with demand difficult, even after increasing | | | | It may not be the cure for the common cold, but |
| production over six times." | | | | positive feedback has continued to support Airborne's |
| With all of the hype around this miracle drug, many | | | | effectiveness. For this teacher out of California, it |
| people still wonder if there is any scientific validity to | | | | seems that her customers are more than a passing |
| these claims. After all, what credibility does a school | | | | fad.note: I am not a medical doctor and make no |
| teacher have when it comes to prescribing a wonder | | | | claims to cure or diagnose any disease, or to provide |
| drug? | | | | medical advice. Please consult your physician for more |
| To validate themselves, Airborne conducted a double | | | | information. |
| blind, placebo included study of Airborne's | | | | |