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Echinacea
The Plains Indians relied heavily on purple cone flower root to treat infections. (The scientific name for the purple cone flower family is echinacea, pronounced eck-in-ace-shah). The immunity-boosting effects of three species, Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida, have been demonstrated in hundreds of animal studies. Germany's Federal Health Agency has said that Echinacea purpurea provides "supportive therapy for colds and chronic infections of the respiratory tract."

In one of only two placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted to date, flu sufferers who took four droppers per day (liquid extract, with a standard 1:5 ratio of herb to alcohol) saw a reduction in the severity and duration of symptoms. In the other, people with weakened immune response who took 2-4 ml/day preventively suffered significantly fewer and milder cases of colds and flu.

Elderberry Extract (Sambucol)
In the early 1980's, researchers led by virologist Madeleine Mumcuoglu, Ph.D., found that black elderberry (Sambuca nigra), an old European folk remedy for respiratory infections, stops all major strains of flu virus from invading human cells. In 1992, Israeli researchers conducted a controlled clinical trial of Sambucol, a potency-controlled elderberry extract developed by Dr. Mumcuoglu?during a flu outbreak. Half of the patients took Samubcol elderberry syrup, while the rest received a placebo. About 90% of the Sambucol-treated group recovered within two days, compared with an average of six days of illness among the control group. If confirmed, these results would establish Sambucol as an unsurpassed flu remedy. Note: Some people get a touch of diarrhea if they ingest elderberry syrup on an empty stomach.

Oscillococcinum
Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic flu remedy that is extremely popular in Western Europe. Operating on the homeopathic principle that "like cures like," Oscillococcinum (pronounced oh-sillo-cox-inum) contains minuscule, virtually un-measurable trace amounts of liver from ducks. (Most human flu epidemics stem from flu viruses that infect ducks, and flu virus tends to concentrate in their livers.) In one of two large, controlled studies that produced similar results, early administration of Oscillococcinum produced recoveries in 17% of subjects within 48 hours, versus 10% of those receiving a placebo.

How might it work? Homeopathic medicines resemble vaccinations, in that the body is exposed to a harmless dose of disease-causing agent to prompt a stronger immune response. The difference is that homeopathic medicines are given after symptoms appear, and contain vanishingly small amounts?sometimes no measurable amount?of substances that produce symptoms similar to those created by the patient's disease.

Goldenseal
Goldenseal is usually taken in combination echinacea/goldenseal cold formulas. Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) has mild antibacterial properties, and stimulates flow of mucus. Many herbalists believe it may support the body's detoxifying efforts during a bout of cold or flu, but there is no evidence that it has any effect on anti-viral immunity or viruses themselves.

Zinc lozenges
As one researcher reported, in reviewing several recent studies, "Treatment of the common cold with zinc gluconate lozenges, using adequate doses of elemental zinc, may be effective in reducing duration and severity of cold symptoms. The benefit appears to be maximal if the lozenges are started immediately after the onset of symptoms." However, as he went on to say, "Common adverse effects include unpleasant taste, mouth irritation, and nausea."

How much should you take? Patients in successful clinical trials sucked on lozenges containing 23 mg of zinc, taking one every two hours for several days, until symptoms disappeared.