Echinacea Prevents colds

Echinacea is a good herb to use to fight off colds, it’s remarkably successful at prevention according to new research. The herb apparently improves the body’s immune system, but researchers don’t know exactly how it works yet. Echinacea can reduce incidences of colds by 65%, even more powerful when taken vitamin C!

Researchers, led by Dr Craig Coleman from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, combined the results of 14 different studies on Echinacea’s anti-cold properties.

In one of the 14 studies the researchers reviewed, echinacea was taken alongside vitamin C. This combination reduced cold incidence by 86%.

Sustainable Energy in Developing Nations Rewarded

Sustainability is really neat, so it’s nice to see that the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy exist and they recently awarded some top-notch and innovative projects happening in the developing world. The winners receive a cash prize to continue their great work.

Projects ranged from solar-powered home systems and mini-hydropower plants for remote villages, to food waste and dung biogas plants for urban areas.

One of the first-prize winners, the Beijing Shenzhou Daxu Bio-energy Technology Company from China, has developed a new biomass stove that burns agricultural waste and wood instead of coal.