Barbruka,
Actually, I have tried the echinacea thing and it seems to help a little. I use it in combination with Vitamin C -- I don't start the echinacea 6 weeks ahead like you were told (although it may work -- it seems to lose it's effect with me after about two weeks, so I generally start taking 2 tablets three times a day about a week before we leave and cut it down to 2 twice per day after the first 4 days and down to just 2 tablets once a day after another 4 days -- I use this method based on what a homeopathic nurse had me when I had repeated mastitis after the birth of my youngest).
I do NOT give the echinacea to my kids, though, and also be aware that if you are allergic to ragweed you may not do well with it. I am allergic to ragweed, but not to daisies, which I think are the main culprit with echinacea. Read the labels, ask your doctor. Also, the zinc, vitamin C, and especially water ideas are all good ones!
Actually, I have tried the echinacea thing and it seems to help a little. I use it in combination with Vitamin C -- I don't start the echinacea 6 weeks ahead like you were told (although it may work -- it seems to lose it's effect with me after about two weeks, so I generally start taking 2 tablets three times a day about a week before we leave and cut it down to 2 twice per day after the first 4 days and down to just 2 tablets once a day after another 4 days -- I use this method based on what a homeopathic nurse had me when I had repeated mastitis after the birth of my youngest).
I do NOT give the echinacea to my kids, though, and also be aware that if you are allergic to ragweed you may not do well with it. I am allergic to ragweed, but not to daisies, which I think are the main culprit with echinacea. Read the labels, ask your doctor. Also, the zinc, vitamin C, and especially water ideas are all good ones!
