Abstract:

The consumption of multi-ingredient cold, flu and allergy products is common among population for different purposes, including symptomatic and /or prophylactic treatment. There are different kind of products included in this category, such a traditional recipes made by natural ingredients (lemon, garlic, etc.) or medicines as paracetamol. The aim of this study was to assess the consumptions of these products among population and the purpose of its use. To carry on this study, a survey was conducted to 121 people 18 years or older. The survey included questions to asses te knowledge of the participants regarding to this topic, and also questions to try to stablish a pattern of consumption according to their age, level of knowledgement, etc. After the survey was answered by the participants, all their conceptual errors were corrected. It was found that there is a wide ignorance iregarding to the difference between flu and cold, and that more than 50% of population takes some of these products, but only a small percentage as a prophylactic treatment. To finish, it seems that there is a wide predisposition to buy products with natural origin.

Keywords:

Multi-ingredient cold flu and allergy products, phytotherapeutical products, garlic, ginger, honey, lemon.