Other articles by Andrew Weil:

Ask Dr. Weil : Growing method doesn't determine nutrition value Ask Dr. Weil : Monitor toxins that body burden tests measure Ask Dr. Weil : Nasal-spray flu vaccine is safe for kids over 2 Supersweet, natural stevia appears to be safe Olive oil adulteration is a tough problem to solve Registered dietitians and certified nutritionists No reason to buy supplemental bovine colostrum No clear evidence on cell phone's long-term risks Soy eaten in whole, unrefined forms is preferable Chemical used for sterilizing almonds a concern

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Q Is chicken soup really good for colds, or is this just an old wives' tale?

AIn some cultures, chicken soup has long been a traditional cold remedy. I've read that Maimonides, the Jewish physician and philosopher, recommended it back in the 12th century. But there's more than folk wisdom at work here. At least one scientific study suggests that a steaming bowl of chicken soup affords more than comfort — although it's important not to sell comfort short.

Hot liquids in general can be soothing, if only because they require you to slow down, sit still, and sip patiently in order to consume them without scalding yourself. What's more, a study published in the journal Chest in 1978 showed that sipping both chicken soup and hot water can help clear clogged nasal passages.

The best scientific evidence we have for chicken soup's cold-fighting capacity, however, comes from a study at the University of Nebraska, where researchers exposed neutrophils, the white blood cells that fight infections but also cause inflammation, to diluted chicken broth. The liquid slowed the movement of the cells, suggesting that in the body, chicken soup can do the same thing. The result, if you have a cold, would be relief of some symptoms.

The soup used in the study was from a family recipe provided by Dr. Stephen Rennard, the lead researcher. When the study was published in the October 2000 issue of Chest, Rennard included the recipe, which came from his wife's grandmother. But he and his colleagues also tested canned soups from the supermarket and found that all but two worked as well (but didn't taste as good) as Grandma's.

If chicken soup isn't your cup of tea, you could try some other kind. In some cultures, fish soup is as revered as chicken soup. And, I'm told, on the advice of their physicians, some New Yorkers phone for delivery of hot and sour soup from local Chinese restaurants when they're fighting colds. The spicy soup is said to clear your sinuses. Finally, here's a recipe from my book "Eight Weeks to Optimum Health" that may do the trick:

Tonic Soup

8 cups vegetable stock

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, diced

4-8 cloves garlic, minced

One 1-inch piece of fresh gingerroot, peeled and finely chopped

1 cup sliced carrots

1 slice astragalus root

1 cup shiitake mushrooms (fresh or reconstituted), sliced

1 cup broccoli florets

Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a large pot. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a skillet and add the onion, garlic and ginger. Sauté over low heat until soft and aromatic. Add contents of skillet to broth along with carrots, astragalus root and shiitake mushrooms. Simmer, covered, 1 hour. Add the broccoli florets in the last 5 minutes, and remove astragalus before serving. Serves 8.

Q No matter how much I drink throughout the day, my mouth is uncomfortably dry, and it's getting worse. What causes this?

A Dry mouth or "xerostomia" is due to insufficient secretion of saliva. This happens to everyone occasionally. You're most likely to notice dry mouth if you're nervous or under stress. But dry mouth that is more long-lasting is most likely to be a drug side effect. Hundreds of drugs — illicit, prescription and over-the-counter — can cause dry mouth. The commercial ones usually responsible are decongestants, diuretics and other blood-pressure medications, antidepressants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, drugs for urinary incontinence, and those used to treat Parkinson's disease. If you take one of these, ask your doctor or pharmacist to suggest an alternative that doesn't cause dry mouth.

Dry mouth can also be a symptom of an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or Sjögren's syndrome, or related to conditions like diabetes and Parkinson's disease, and it is a common and unpleasant side effect of radiation therapy to the head and neck. If you are having trouble chewing, that too can lead to dry mouth. Dry mouth is more than just an uncomfortable annoyance; it can lead to serious dental problems. Saliva helps prevent tooth decay by washing food and plaque off of your teeth. It also limits the growth of bacteria that can damage tooth enamel and cause gum disease. Your dentist or physician may recommend medication to stimulate the flow of saliva if your problem doesn't resolve. Here are some other suggestions that may help:

● Sip water frequently during the day, and keep a glass of water at your bedside at night. Adding a little lemon juice can help stimulate saliva flow.

● Avoid both salty and sugary foods.

● Avoid alcohol (and mouthwashes containing alcohol), caffeine and tobacco. All can dry the mouth.

● Suck on sugar-free hard candy or chew sugarless gum to improve your saliva flow (the sweetener xylitol helps reduce cavities, but avoid lemon-flavored hard candy — it turns saliva acidic, which increases the risk of tooth decay).

● Use a humidifier at home.

● Try commercial saliva substitutes — available at drugstores — to help keep your mouth moist.

While you're dealing with dry mouth, make an extra effort to keep your teeth and gums in good shape.