You may have heard a lot lately about herbal remedies that help prevent colds. This herb is believed to help boost the immune system to help people stave off colds. There may be scientific proof of this power. Florida researchers tested echinacea and found that it appears to boost the disease-fighting ability of white blood cells. It could be bad for your body to have your immune system boosted like that all the time.
More research is needed on the best way to use echinacea to fight disease.
Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say another way to prevent colds is to wash your hands often. Cold viruses are often transmitted by hands when your hands come in contact with the germs, then you touch your face. Wash with soap and warm water several times a day. Other Topics Health Watch is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.