Purple Coneflower a.k.a EchinaceaIt is the herbal remedy which millions swear by every winter for warding off the sniffles. And while some have doubted if echinacea is effective at combating colds, scientists have now said that it really does work. A review shows that taking supplements of the plant, also known as purple coneflower, can cut the chances of catching a cold by more than half. When used as a treatment it reduces the length of a cold by oneanda-half days on average, according to research published today by U.S. researchers in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal. The review, which combines the results of 14 previous studies, should finally give the seal of approval to the remedy. (Daily Mail)
