On Fri, 22 Sep 2000 08:04:27 CDT Justin Hasselman <[log in to unmask]> writes: > Hi all. My brother has a horrible cold. Before he goes to the doc for antibiotics, I wanted to know if anyone has used any of the immune system promoting herbs to fight off a bacterial or viral infection? Echinacea and Goldenseal are the 2 major ones - anyone get results from these?>> First off, I would stop any kind of dairy he may be eating. It's been my experience dairy is very mucus forming. I have had excellent results with zinc mixed with vit. c. I use the zinc lozenges sweetened with stevia with a blend of vit. c. Wal_mart brand, no preservatives, no sugar, no wheat, none of that crap. just zinc, vit. c and stevia. I find the zinc shortens the duration of a cold by almost a week. Echinacia and goldenseal is good, but NOT for long term. I find good old fashion chicken soup to be the best. the steam clears out the nose, the chicken broth is very good for the immune system, and my kids love it. Antibiotics are not for colds and flu. They are for infection. If you are worried his sinus cavity will start an infection, a good rinsing with saline solution, into the nose, will flush everything out and will enable him to breath more clear. My homeopathic Dr. told me this and works great on my kids. hth Trish Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover, You May Be Missing Out On A Great Story......................................... Since The Unborn Can't Speak For Themselves, We Need To Speak For Them. Stop In Womb Murder!