Ask the doctor.(treatment of influenza)

I take echinacea whenever I get a cold, and that seems to help, but I still get the flu, and I want to know what to do to help mitigate it.--B.H., New York City

First, let me explain the difference between a common cold and the flu. With a common cold, you usually experience a fever and a dramatic sore throat. Mucus is yellowish, clogging your sinuses and making it harder to breathe. With the flu, you also suffer a fever as well as body aches, headache, tiredness and weakness. Mucus is clear and runs freely. Later on, your sinuses may become infected, and mucus will turn white, green or yellow. A sore throat will most likely be caused by post-nasal drip.

The way you usually get the flu is by inhaling airborne droplets containing it. People also contract it in environments that cause their nasal passages to dry out and crack from the dehumidifying effects of ventilation systems--airplanes and offices are typical examples--which allows the virus to enter through the irritation. So a good way to thwart airborne inhalation is to use an aromatherapy spray. Buy one with eucalyptus, rosemary or oregano, and spray it in the air in front of you. Breathe in the mist, and let it coat the inside of your nose. You can do this several times a day.

Echinacea is a good herb to take for the flu because it strengthens your t-lymphocytes, which are part of the immune system. Additionally, the Journal of International Medical Research published an article recently showing that elderberry extract syrup reduced symptoms and shortened the duration of flu ...