George Lagergren wrote in a message to Alex Vasauskas:
 GL>      Alex,  it has been said that is garlic is the poor person's   
 GL>    penicillin.
Yes.  Also, apparently due to a shortage of penicillin, I understand that
it was used effectively by the Russians during their war in Afghanistan to
the extent that it became known as "Russian penicillin".
I and others I know who have tried it have found that taking echinacea
and garlic when you feel the first hint of a cold or the flu helps to
avoid the cold or flu, or at least substantially decrease the
severity of the disease.  In this same vein, I have had boneset
(Eupatorium perfoliatum) recommended by an ethnobotanist who has
so far always been reliable in his recommendations, and I am looking
forward to growing some in my garden next summer and seeing how well
it works alone and in combination with the echinacea and/or garlic. 
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