The commond cold, is an infection of the upper respiratory tract, is caused by any of 200 different viruses. Symptoms are usually: sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, hacking cough and sometimes fever.

The average adult suffers two to three colds a year; a young child has as many as nine.

There are quite a few herbs that can help boost your immune systems for fighting colds:

• Echinacea
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Black cherry
• Citrus fruits
• Elderberry
• Forsythia
• Onion
• Anise
• Epherdra
• Goldenseal
• Licorice
• Marsh mallow
• Mullein
• Slippery elm
• Watercress
• Willow
• Oil of Oreganol
• Garlic and onion chicken soup