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longship

(40,416 posts)

11. Echinacea for colds? The science says no.

Reply to quinnox (Original post)

Fri Jan 18, 2013, 02:11 PM

Jan 2013

Echinacea for Cold and Flu

Also, any claim that the mixture you are taking helps your immune system is probably bunk. That's just not how the immune system works.

Boost Your Immune System

Got a cold? Drink plenty of liquids, get some rest. If you have to take something for symptoms, realize that there are many, many quack remedies on the market that do nothing but help empty your wallet.

My preference, generic over-the-counter cold symptom remedies with known efficacy.

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32 replies

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Highlight:

Alternative ways to handle a cold [View all] quinnox Jan 2013 OP

Mr. Pup takes zinc and it usually knocks his cold yellerpup Jan 2013 #1

I just crush Flintstone vitamins into my beer leftstreet Jan 2013 #2

thank you quinnox Jan 2013 #3

There's always the hot toddy! backscatter712 Jan 2013 #14

If you have a cold enlightenment Jan 2013 #4

thank you quinnox Jan 2013 #6

what worked for us, mom made us eat braunschweiger and banana sandwiches snooper2 Jan 2013 #5

I drink handmade34 Jan 2013 #28

My home cold remedies are carrot juice, OJ, a neti pot and cardio. tridim Jan 2013 #7

Once you have nasal congestion, though, it's best to cut out the OJ and milk and cheese.... Lars39 Jan 2013 #8

Elderberry in capsule form helps... azlatina Jan 2013 #9

From the Mayo Clinic: what works and doesn't work for colds frazzled Jan 2013 #10

Echinacea for colds? The science says no. longship Jan 2013 #11

Neat link, but they forgot to mention the Endocannabinoid System.. tridim Jan 2013 #12

Well, I am not an expert. longship Jan 2013 #13

Extra liquids and real sleep are what work for me... Phentex Jan 2013 #21

Sleep is good! longship Jan 2013 #22

I simply let my immune system fight it off, and stop my bronchospasms before I hack up a lung. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #15

I've dicovered that by treating a cold with over the counter meds Morning Dew Jan 2013 #16

That's the thing - there's very little one can do to speed up the process. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #18

you got it all wrong (not really) SteveG Jan 2013 #17

My own tip: Any cold reduction candy or additive labeled homeopathic won't do jack shit Godhumor Jan 2013 #19

Hubby and I take Olive Leaf liquid BuddhaGirl Jan 2013 #20

I have a surefire cure Canuckistanian Jan 2013 #23

Ding. Ding. Ding. We have a winner... Science Geek Jan 2013 #24

Thank you Canuckistanian Jan 2013 #25

Dial way back on the orange juice. Juice is pure sugar, which nobody needs, especially not Aristus Jan 2013 #26

Juice is about 90% water, it is nowhere near "pure sugar". Sorry doc. tridim Jan 2013 #27

I think the point is handmade34 Jan 2013 #29

Nice try. Aristus Jan 2013 #30

and don't forget chicken soup - home made. Whisp Jan 2013 #31

Slightly warm a small mixture of apple cider vinegar, honey and water. Gargle with it for about a mfcorey1 Jan 2013 #32