First, there's the sore throat. Then the stuffy nose. Postnasal drip. A cough. Yadda yadda, yadda. People get sick in winter; it is only natural. So let's employ a natural strategy to fight back at the common cold. 

Herbs that Build Immunity

If you tend to get colds and the flu often . astragalus, elderberries, garlic, shizandra, Siberian ginseng, and of course echinacea will help build up resistance.

Astragalus. This herb increases the body's production of interferon, which protects cells from viral and bacterial lung infections. In a huge study conducted in China in 1981, when more than 1,000 people were given a combination of interferon and astragalus, they came down with fewer colds than when given interferon alone.

Echinacea. This wonderful herb not only enhances immunity but also stops cold and flu viruses from reproducing once they gain access to a cell. German research has shown that echinacea stimulates immune-system cells called macrophages (cells that consume disease-causing microbes). 

Elderberries. In one study, researchers gave elderberry syrup to some members of an Israeli kibbutz during a flu epidemic. Those who took the syrup got better much sooner than those taking standard treatments. 

Garlic. Numerous scientific studies support herbalists' claims that garlic is a "natural antibiotic." Researchers have found it ot be particularly good for fighting strep infections. 

Shizandra. In a Russian study, children in the town of Chirchik who were given this herb were more resistant to a flu epidemic that swept through their town. 

Siberian ginseng. When researchers surveyed residents of the cold regions of north-eastern China, they found that those who took this herb regularly got far fewer colds and reported fewer cases of bronchitis. 

Herbs That Ease Throat Troubles

Take a look at the labels of cough medications, and you'll likely find anise, eucalyptus, fennel, and peppermint, among the others. They make cough remedies tasty, but their real purpose is to stop your coughing, possibly by shutting down the brain's coughing center. Here are a few more throat soothers.

Marsh mallow and licorice. Marsh mallow root was suggested as a cough remedy as long ago as the fourth century B.C.; licorice has been a favorite cough syrup in China for thousands of years.

Plantain. Research in Germany, China, and Russia has shown that this herb stops coughing, wheezing, and chest pain, even from bronchitis.

Slippery elm. Native Americans have long used the bark of the slippery elm tree to stop coughs. This practice worked so well that it was adopted by the settlers. 

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