Best Herbal Remedies for Cold & Flu

Even if you eat right, exercise and get enough sleep, colds and flu can catch up with you. It's even worse if your family members continue to pass the sickness around, week after week.

If you're not keen on treating your cold and flu symptoms with traditional medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, what are some integrative remedies that might be helpful?

Dr. Patrick Fratellone, who is one of few doctors to have an MD as well as be a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbal Guild, mixes the best of conventional medicine with supplements, herbs, homeopathic options.

He joins Andrea and Lisa to share his top herbal and homeopathic remedies for colds and flu.

Echinacea and goldenseal: both have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, so if you take them when you develop symptoms, they will help decrease the sickness's ability to survive.

Oscillococcinum: these are little homeopathic "pellets" that work with your body's energy. You should also take this at the beginning of your cold or flu.

Garlic: has great anti-bacterial, anti-viral and antioxidant properties and is also anti-inflammatory.

Cayenne, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon: all can help prevent sickness and ease (and shorten) your symptoms.

Finally, what are Dr. Fratellone's "Top 3" herbs that you should have in your medicine cabinet? Stinging nettles, which are great for sinus issues; elderberry, which is great for cough; and yarrow, which helps with infection. All of these can be taken via capsules or tea.

Listen in for more information on these integrative remedies and to find out why Dr. Fratellone says, "Don't come to me if you just want an antibiotic."