We all know there's no magic cure for colds and flu. However, you can help minimize discomfort make yourself less inviting to viral invaders. According to "Mom's Medicine," by the editors of Prevention Health Books for Women:

Combining echinacea with goldenseal may get you good results. Echinacea stimulates the production of natural killer cells, which are a type of white blood cells that fight off viral infections. Goldenseal stimulates white blood cell activity and contains antiviral and antibacterial compounds, chiefly berberine. It works well with echinacea because it has properties that enable it to reduce inflammation and mucus productions.

When symptoms strike, take 300 milligrams of each of these herbs every 2 to 4 hours for the first 2 to 3 days, says Kristy Fassler, N.D., a naturopathic physician in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Continue with the same dosage of each three times a day until symptoms disappear.

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