Any juices should be looked at for their entire nutritional value, and not just their vitamin content. In years past, doctors have prescribed antibiotics for almost any malady, but these days the philosophy has changed. The common cold is a viral illness and will not be helped by antibiotics. Dr. Stegelman, no one in my family has had a cold or flu problem in the past three years since we all started taking the herb Echinacea on a regular basis. We have heard anecdotal evidence from adults that Echinacea may help in preventing certain viral illnesses.
Parents find it difficult to protect themselves from getting the same illnesses as their children.
The viruses are contagious, and in a close family, the spread is difficult to prevent. Good hand washing, teaching everyone to cover nose and mouth during sneeze or cough, and carefully cleaning the shared inanimate objects, such as doorknobs and phones on a regular basis, may lessen the risk. In addition, not using shared food utensils is important. The earlier you teach your kids these techniques, the more likely they are to practice them and carry them into adulthood. Understanding the ingredients in these medications is the key to using them effectively.