The common cold is caused by a virus. Antiviral compounds that kill viruses would then be most likely to serve as a remedy for the common cold. This invention seeks to offer a unique use of an antiviral agent, ethanol (with or without additional homeopathic and/or herb ingredients) through the unique topical application of a mouthwash to a sore throat that is often the first symptom of a common cold. The sore throat is caused by the virus setting up to enter the body after which a cascade of immune response symptoms will occur. Current cold remedies do nothing but treat these immune response symptoms. This invention is unique in that it destroys the virus directly, blocking the cold virus at its point of entry, and the remaining cold symptoms never appear. It does not matter how many cold viruses exist, because the antiviral nature of ethanol kills viruses upon contact. This is the first time that treatment of a sore-throat with antiviral agents (ethanol with or without additional homeopathic and/or herb ingredients) is being used to effectively block the common cold. Research testing this common cold remedy have shown it to be effective in 18 out of 20 case studies, and a double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial is being conducted.