Echinacea can prevent common cold

A popular herbal remedy, echinacea, in Europe and the US can lower the chance of catching a common cold by half. The findings are published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases after reviewing the evidence of the anti-cold properties of the plant from 14 different studies.

Experts believe echinacea, a collection of nine related plant species indigenous to North America, may work by boosting the body's immune system but stress that further invetsigation on its possible risks is needed.