Ancient Greek physicians prescribed garlic. Egyptian herbalists favored licorice. For Oprah, the cold-fighting concoction of choice is the juice of freshly crushed cranberries.

Cranberries are rich in health-boosting antioxidants, including vitamin C and flavonoids (which can act as anti-inflammatories). And fresh cranberry juice offers all its nutrient content with none of the high-fructose corn syrup and other additives found in many store-bought brands.

You can buy fresh cranberries at local markets from October through December. The berries freeze well, so you can thaw them for juicing throughout the year. Eight ounces of berries combined with a pound of red grapes (seeded or seedless; you can also substitute three to four apples for the grapes) make 16 ounces of all-natural, fortifying juice.

What else seems to work against sneezing, sniffling, aches, and pains? We checked in with four of the health experts Oprah trusts most.

"My magic cure is Amazing Grass smoothies. You make them from a powder you can buy at health food stores. It's a blend of different grasses (like wheatgrass) and nutrients that boost the immune system, and you mix it with milk, soy milk, water, whatever. I take it every day, especially during the school year. I have three sons, and when they come home from school they're like human germ balls!"
— Laura Berman, MD

Read more about what Oprah and friends are saying in the, December 2009 issue.