If you're referring to Zicam, there's actually evidence that zinc gluconate helps reduce the length and severity of colds... and it's actually present in more than trace amounts in Zicam. They market it as "homeopathic" in order to get around FDA regulations, and they've gotten in trouble because zinc in your nose can knock out your sense of smell, perhaps permanently. (The lozenges don't appear to have this issue.)
bitwize|1 year ago