Natural Cold Remedies

These recommendations are from a career herbalist. I'd like to check them out but if anyone has any experience with them, please comment!

"Some of my best cold/flu remedies to shorten the duration...
UMCKA (at Whole Foods, Merz Apothecary) - great for kids and adults
Zinc and Vitamin C lozenges - boost immunity
Hot ginger, cinnamon and honey tea
Oregano oil capsules (every few hours) - ADULTS ONLY"

Incidently, she has a book out called "Healing with Aromatherapy" available at major bookstores. Click on the title to this entry to go to the Amazon listing.

Kid's Health: How long is gastroenteritis contagious?

This from the nurse at Town & Country Pediatrics:

"The children are contagious about 2 days before they show symptoms and at least as slong as they have diarrhea symptoms at all... which is usually about 10 days after onset of symptoms. So about 12 - 14 days from start to finish to be sure your child is no longer contagious. This is an unreasonable length of time to keep them home but it is the CDC recommendation about rotavirus which is one of the most common causes of infectious diarrhea right now. Be careful and wash wash wash those hands!"