Green for good health?

Cold and flu season is here, and yours truly has been hit by a nasty bug. Should I go super-greenie with herbal remedies, or hit the standard over-the-counter chemical concoctions?

What's the most earth-friendly way to address this coughing, sneezing, achy-head time of year?

Everyone seems to agree on the best ways to avoid colds, and you don't need to be a hardcore environmentalist to follow these tips: Wash your hands often, cover your mouth when you cough, live a healthy lifestyle, get a flu shot, and stay home if you do get sick. Summarized nicely at Lime.

For a more herbal angle, Giaim recommends vitamin C, Echinacea, garlic, zinc, Oscillococcinum, elderberry, and ginger, among other things. Some of these are supposed to boost the immune system, while others could have anti-viral properties.

However, scientific studies are contradictory about the strength of these herbal claims.

An article on MSNBC has details about published studies on vitamin C, Echinacea, zinc, and Oscillococcinum. Read up before you toss back those herbs.

Maybe we should all just listen to the time-honored recommendation of chicken soup. My Chinese grandfather put won-tons in his, and my Jewish step-mom-in-law puts matzo balls in hers, but the principle is the same. Warm broth with a little protein and healthy veggies sooths a sore throat and nourishes a sick body.

Natural health guru Dr. Andrew Weil agrees, and even finds scientific backing for chicken soup's healing powers.

So pass me some Seventh Generation tissues and a bowl of chicken soup while I continue to telecommute and keep my germs to myself.