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Cut your sick time in half
Feel a cold or flu coming on? Got a vaginal or sinus infection? Then echinacea (eh-kin-AY-sha) may be able to help. Many studies show that this plant stimulates the immune system and hastens the healing of infectious diseases.
Echinacea fights colds and other infections by stimulating the immune system. When disease-causing micro-organisms invade the body, injured cells secrete chemicals that attract infection-fighting white blood cells, or macrophages, to the area. The macrophages (literally, "big eaters") then engulf and digest the germs. Echinacea boosts the macrophages' ability to destroy microbial invaders. [1]
In addition, echinacea acts like the body's own virus-fighting compound, interferon. Before a virus-infected cell dies, it releases a tiny amount of interferon, which boosts the ability of surrounding cells to resist infection. Echinacea does essentially the same thing. Researchers bathed cells in echinacea extract, then exposed them to two potent viruses -- influenza and herpes. Compared with untreated cells, only a small fraction of the echinacea-boosted cells became infected. [2]
Echinacea is safe when used as directed. But people with severe illnesses (e.g., multiple sclerosis) and auto-immune conditions (e.g., lupus) should avoid it (immune stimulation can aggravate auto-immune conditions). [3] No wonder it's America's most popular herbal medicine, especially during the cold and flu season. [4]
Sources
1 Tyler, V. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York: Pharmaceutical Products Press/Hawthorn Press, 1994. pp. 182-184.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 "Annual Herb Survey," Whole Foods, 10-98.
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Latest News
Swedish researchers recently judged 60 workers in a large furniture factory to be experiencing the initial stages of a cold. Half the workers were given a placebo and half were given a tincture, or alcohol extract, of echinacea (20 drops of tincture in water every two hours for the first day, then three times a day for up to 10 days). In the placebo group, the average worker's recovery time was eight days. In the echinacea group, it was half that -- just four days. [5]
Existing Medical Research
Several studies have shown that echinacea stimulates the immune system. This action explains its usefulness in treating infectious diseases. [6]
In a 1997 study, researchers gave 160 people with initial cold or flu symptoms either a placebo or echinacea (900 mg/day) for eight to 10 days. In the placebo group, the average recovery time was 13 days. In the echinacea group, it was less than 10 days -- a significant difference. [7]
German researchers studied 180 adults diagnosed with flu. The subjects were given one of three treatments: a placebo, a low dose of echinacea (450 mg/day), or a high dose of echinacea (900 mg/day). Compared with the subjects in the placebo and low-dose groups, those taking high doses of echinacea enjoyed significantly speedier resolutions of fever, chills, muscle aches, and other flu symptoms. [8]
In another German study, researchers recruited 203 women with chronic vaginal yeast infections and treated them with either a topical pharmaceutical antifungal cream alone or the same cream plus a tincture of echinacea by mouth (30 drops -- about one dropperful -- three times a day) for 10 weeks. After six months, 60% of the women in the cream-only group experienced at least one recurrence of yeast infection. But for the women in the cream-plus-echinacea group, the figure was just 16%. [9]
Sources
5 Hoheisel, M., et al. "Echinagard Treatment Shortens the Course of the Common Cold: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial," European Journal of Clinical Research (1997) 9:261.
6 Melchart, D., et al. "Results of Five Randomized Studies on the Immunomodulatory Activity of Preparations of Echinacea," Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (1995) 1:145.
7 Dorn, M., et al. "Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study of Echinacea in Upper Respiratory Tract Infections," Complementary Therapies in Medicine (1997) 5:40.
8 Braunig, B., et al. "Echinacea Root for Strengthening the Immune Response in Flu-like Infections," Zeitschrift Pytotherapie (1992) 13:7.
9 Bergner, P. "Echinacea and Chronic Yeast Infection," Townsend Letter for Doctors 10-88.
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Common Uses
Echinacea may be helpful in treating:
- Infections
- Colds and flus
- Sinus and yeast infections
Remember that no health claims for echinacea have been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Historical and Folkloric Use
Echinacea, also known as purple coneflower, is native to the American Great Plains. It was the Plains Indians' primary medicine. They mashed its root and daisy-like flowers and applied the juice to all manner of wounds, insect bites, and stings. They also used echinacea mouthwash for painful teeth and gums and drank echinacea tea to treat colds and other illnesses. [10]
White settlers adopted the herb as a treatment for infections, and by the 1880s, most pharmacists stocked tincture of echinacea. It was a rare home medicine cabinet that didn't contain some during the early 20th century. [11]
Unfortunately, echinacea became a casualty of the war between university-trained, "new-school" doctors who preferred laboratory-synthesized pharmaceuticals, and "old-school" physicians who preferred herbal medicines. As new-school physicians came to dominate medicine, echinacea's popularity waned. When antibiotics were introduced, the herb disappeared from mainstream American medicine. [12]
Fortunately, echinacea continued to be used -- and its effects researched -- in Europe. When the American herb revival began in the 1970s, echinacea again became popular in its native land. Today it is the nation's best-selling herbal medicine. [13] During cold and flu season, health food stores and pharmacies often have trouble keeping it in stock.
Dosage and Administration
Echinacea comes in several forms, including teas, capsules, and alcohol- or water-based tinctures. They may be prepared and used as followed [14, 15]:
- Tinctures: dosage ranges from 15 to 30 drops per mixture of liquid every two to three hours.
- Capsules: dosage ranges from one to three 500-mg capsules a day, or as directed by manufacturer.
- Tea: boil two teaspoons of echinacea in one cup of water for about 15 minutes. You may drink this tea three times daily.
Storage
Store echinacea in a cool, dry place.
Sources
10 Weiner, M. and J. Weiner. Herbs That Heal: Prescription for Herbal Healing. Mill Valley, CA: Quantum Books, 1994.
11 Tyler, V. Personal communication, 1997.
12 Ibid.
13 "Annual Herb Survey," Whole Foods, 10-98.
14 Tyler, V. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York: Pharmaceutical Products Press/Hawthorn Press, 1994. pp. 182-184.
15 Weiner, M. and J. Weiner. Herbs That Heal: Prescription for Herbal Healing. Mill Valley, CA: Quantum Books, 1994.
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How to Use Echinacea Safely
Echinacea is considered nontoxic at recommended dosages. [16] Follow package directions for whatever form of the herb you are taking. Shortly after ingesting echinacea, your tongue many tingle or feel numb for a few minutes. This effect is harmless and will soon pass. [17]
Additional precautions:
- Do not use echinacea for more than eight successive weeks. [18, 19]
- If echinacea causes a rash or any other allergic reaction, or minor discomforts like stomach upset or diarrhea, decrease your dose or stop using it.
- People with progressive conditions such as multiple sclerosis, collagenosis, tuberculosis, and auto-immune disorders (e.g., lupus or rheumatoid arthritis) should not use echinacea supplements.
- If you are pregnant or nursing, consult a physician before using echinacea.
- Echinacea should not be given to children under age 2. For older children and people over age 65, start with a low-strength preparation and increase strength only if necessary.
- Do not exceed label dosage. Extremely large doses (1,000 times greater than typically recommended) can actually suppress the immune system.
- If symptoms being treated do not improve significantly within two weeks, consult a physician.
Possible Side Effects
Echinacea is relatively nontoxic. However, you may experience some side effects if you are allergic or have had any allergic reaction to plants from the sunflower family.
Sources
16 Anon. "Echinacea." The Review of Natural Products 12-96.
17 Duke, J., Personal communication, 1998.
18 Tyler, V. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York: Pharmaceutical Products Press/Hawthorn Press, 1994. pp. 182-184.
19 American Botanical Council.The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston: American BotanicalCouncil/Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998.
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Sources & Further Reading
"Annual Herb Survey," Whole Foods, 10-98.
American Botanical Council. The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston: American BotanicalCouncil/Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998.
Anon. "Echinacea." The Review of Natural Products 12-96.
Bergner, P. "Echinacea and Chronic Yeast Infection," Townsend Letter for Doctors 10-88.
Braunig, B., et al. "Echinacea Root for Strengthening the Immune Response in Flu-like Infections," Zeitschrift Pytotherapie (1992) 13:7.
Dorn, M., et al. "Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study of Echinacea in Upper Respiratory Tract Infections," Complementary Therapies in Medicine (1997) 5:40.
Duke, J., Personal communication, 1998.
Hoheisel, M., et al. "Echinagard Treatment Shortens the Course of the Common Cold: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial," European Journal of Clinical Research (1997) 9:261.
Melchart, D., et al. "Results of Five Randomized Studies on the Immunomodulatory Activity of Preparations of Echinacea," Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (1995) 1:145.
Tyler, V. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York: Pharmaceutical Products Press/Hawthorn Press, 1994.
Weiner, M. and J. Weiner. Herbs That Heal: Prescription for Herbal Healing. Mill Valley, CA: Quantum Books, 1994.
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