|
In the cold remedy market, echinacea packs a lot of flower power, despite conflicting reports on the herb's effectiveness in nipping colds in the bud.
Sales of echinacea (ek-I-NAY-sha), a purple wildflower first used by American Indians for medicinal purposes, are believed to represent approximately 10% of the dietary supplement market. The supplement is used to treat coughs, colds, influenza, inflammation, toothaches and open wounds. (Indians used echinacea to treat snakebites.)
Laboratory testing shows echinacea contains a host of key compounds. These include polysaccharides that stimulate the immune system; echinacoside with possible antibiotic effects; and echinacein, believed to block some mechanisms that enable infectious viruses or bacteria to invade body tissue.
Studies indicate that echinacea does not appear to prevent colds or other infections. They also have not been able to prove that echinacea shortens the course of colds or flu. For example, two NCCAM-funded studies did not find a benefit from echinacea, either as Echinacea purpurea fresh-pressed juice for treating colds in children, or as an unrefined mixture of Echinacea angustifolia root and Echinacea purpurea root and herb in adults.
Other studies have shown that echinacea may help treat upper respiratory infections. NCCAM continues to support the study of echinacea for the treatment of upper respiratory infections.
Many U.S. doctors also caution there really isn't enough information on the herb's safety. The Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate the contents of herbal products, and there is no guarantee of the herb's purity or how much active ingredient is in a particular bottle.
If you are inclined to try echinacea, it should be used at the first sign of a cold or flu, in large doses (1,000 to 2,000 mg a day) and for short periods of time (three to five days).
Although echinacea is considered to be fairly safe for most people, some should avoid it altogether. Doctors offer these precautions about echinacea:
- Do not use echinacea if you are allergic to daisies or members of the aster family or if you have colitis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, tuberculosis, AIDS, HIV or any other autoimmune disease. The herb can make these conditions worse.
- Do not take echinacea for more than six to eight weeks at a time, because of its potential to suppress the immune system during prolonged use. Echinacea is said to be the most effective in tincture (liquid) form at the first sign of illness.
- Do not give echinacea to children younger than 2 years old. Start with minimal doses for older children and older adults.
- Check with your doctor before using echinacea if you are pregnant or nursing.
|
Related Articles
|
|
External Sources
|
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
Return to the previous page
|
