This stuff is
NOT good for you.
Actually very bad for you if you take the recommended dosages. There was an article I read in my Nutrition Action Newsletter
http://www.cspinet.org/nah/index.htm that you can actually
OD on the amounts of Vitamin A and E in Airborne and other stuff in there if you take the recommended dosages.
Unfortunately I threw that issue away
but the article went on to say that Airborne is basically crap and can even be dangerous.
Yes it does have
some good stuff but nothing in there will prevent you from getting a cold.
Here is more info from Wikipedia:
Although it is recommended that Airborne be taken "at the first sign of a cold symptom, or before entering crowded environments, like airplanes and offices," the package explicitly states that Airborne is "not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease." This is because Airborne has not undergone any testing by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Knight-McDowell Labs would be violating FDA regulations on Structure/Function claims were they to state on the packaging that it cured or prevented any disease.
A questionable study
Scientific studies supporting Airborne's effectiveness are few in number. The study often referenced in favor of Airborne was sponsored by the Knight-McDowell Labs, manufacturers of Airborne.[3] "GNG Pharmaceutical Services Inc.", claims to have conducted this study with 120 adults, and reported that 47% of Airborne recipients showed little or no cold or flu symptoms, whereas only 23% of the recipients of a placebo pill showed equal results.[4] However, in February of 2006, ABC News discovered that GNG Pharmaceutical Services has no official clinic, scientists, or even doctors. In fact the company comprises only two men, who started the company just to perform this study. Because of the bad publicity that this controversy has brought forth, Knight-McDowell Labs has removed all references to the study from their packaging and web site.[5]
Vitamin excess
A medical report on drugs and therapeutics regarding Airborne, along with its emphasis that the evidence of cold prevention or treatment of the formula is inconclusive, gives reason to believe that the supplement is unsafe as directed, specifically regarding its excess of vitamin C:
There are some concerns. First, there is no conclusive evidence that this product or any of its ingredients prevents colds or shortens their duration. Second, the adult tablet contains 1 g of vitamin C, and the directions for use advise taking 1 tablet at the first sign of a cold and repeating the dose every 3 hours as necessary. Vitamin C in doses higher than 1 g increases oxalate and urate excretion and may cause kidney stones. Third, the safety of this herbal extraction combination has not been established. And with herbs and dietary supplements in general, we only have the manufacturers’ word on the label for what’s in them.
It has been determined that extreme amounts of vitamin C can lead to severe diarrhea, although in recent publications, the link between excess doses of vitamin C and kidney stones has been disputed. However, Airborne's 5,000 IUs of vitamin A per serving has become another major health concern. The recommended safe upper limit for vitamin A is 10,000 IUs daily. This amount is easily exceeded when following Airborne's directions, as it is stated on the packaging, to "repeat every three hours as necessary" (with a maximum of three doses per day).
Pregnant women especially are advised to exercise extreme caution regarding Airborne consumption. Excess preformed vitamin A (from as little as only twice the daily recommended amount) during early pregnancy has been associated with a significant increase in life-threatening birth defects. Vitamin A is indeed necessary for fetal development, but most women already carry stores of it in their fat cells. Researchers recommend that pregnant women either restrict their supplemental consumption of vitamin A to 4,000 - 8,000 IUs daily, or they should instead consume beta carotene.
AIRBORNE: Invented By A 2nd Grade Teacher
Re: AIRBORNE: Invented By A 2nd Grade Teacher
Can't seem to stay on my shopping ban! 
