My grandmother used to give me chicken soup to eat when I was ill. She would say eat it you'll feel better, my kinda. She thought it was a cure for the common cold. "Vell", she was right.

  According to the December edition of Pediatric News, chicken soup may have some anti-inflammatory effects against the common cold. Colds activate neutraphils (white cells) to the surface of airways. The neutraphils are potent stimulators of mucous production-which leads to a lot of the discomfort associated with the common cold. The chicken soup inhibited the migration of the cells and therefore has the potential to decrease some of the symptoms associated with the cold.

  It was discovered that the inhibitory activity of the soup did not take place until the vegetables were added (mom always said to eat your veggies!). Commercially available soups were tested and some found to have the same ability to inhibit the neutraphils.

Soup recipe is included below:Ingredients

5-6 pound baking chicken, 3 parsnips

1 package chicken wings, 2 potatoes

3 large onions, 11 carrots

1 sweet potato, 5-6 celery stems

bunch parsley, salt, and pepperDirections

Clean chicken and put into large pot with cold water. Bring water to boil. Add next ingredients with exception of celery stems and parsley. Boil for 1 ½ hours. Remove fat from surface. Add parsley and celery. Cook an additional 45 min. Remove chicken and save for another recipe. Put vegetables in food processor or blender. Salt and pepper to your taste.