Echinacea, sometimes called coneflower, is a wildflower that flourishes in meadows or wet valleys in the Midwestern United States. Named for the prickly scales in its large conical seed head, the herb resembles the spines of an angry hedgehog (echinos is Greek for hedgehog). Echinacea is most famous for its medicinal properties, but it is also common in gardens since it has striking purple blossoms. It is one of the most popular herbs in America today.
In some parts of Europe, Echinacea is taken in an IV as supplemental treatment for some forms of cancer. Some European medical professionals also inject Echinacea to remedy infections of the urinary tract. However, neither of these practices are common in America.
Echinacea can also be used externally to treat skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It can also be an ingredient in hemorrhoid treatments or to sooth insect bites. Some people use it to shield their skin from sun damage and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections.
Results of archeological digs indicate that Native Americans may have used echinacea as a herbal remedy for more than 400 years to treat infections and wounds and as a general "cure-all." Throughout history people have used echinacea to treat scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria. For a time, echinacea enjoyed official status as a result of being listed in the US National Formulary from 1916-1950. Although this herb was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, its use began to decline in the United States after the introduction of antibiotics. But now, people are becoming interested in echinacea again because some antibiotics don't work as well as they used to against certain bacteria.
Echinacea is widely used to fight infections including the flu, common cold, urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast infections, genital herpes, bloodstream infections (septicemia), gum disease, tonsillitis, streptococcus infections, syphilis, typhoid, malaria, and diphtheria.
Several laboratory and animal studies suggest that echinacea contains active substances that enhance the activity of the immune system, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. For this reason, professional herbalists may recommend echinacea to treat urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast (candida) infections, ear infections (also known as otitis media), athlete's foot, sinusitis, hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis), as well as slow-healing wounds. One study even suggests that echinacea extract exerted an antiviral action on the development of recurrent HSVI when supplied prior to infection.
Other uses not related to infection include chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), rheumatism, migraines, acid indigestion, pain, dizziness, rattlesnake bites, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Sometimes people apply echinacea to their skin to treat boils, abscesses, skin wounds, ulcers, burns, eczema, psoriasis, UV radiation skin damage, herpes simplex, bee stings, and hemorrhoids.
Common cold:
Whether or not echinacea helps prevent or treat the common cold remains under debate. Many scientific studies show that taking some echinacea products when cold symptoms are first noticed can modestly reduce symptoms of the common cold in adults. Some studies have shown that the herb can make you feel better faster. Others suggest that echinacea has no impact on a cold at all. Several clinical trials have shown that people who take echinacea as soon as they feel sick reduce the severity of their cold and have fewer symptoms than those who do not take the herb. One study of 95 people with early symptoms of cold and flu (such as runny nose, scratchy throat, and fever), found that those who drank several cups of echinacea tea every day for 5 days felt better sooner than those who drank tea without echinacea.
A review of 14 clinical trials found that echinacea reduced the odds of developing a cold by 58% and the duration of a cold by 1 - 4 days. However, some experts dispute these findings claiming that there were several weaknesses in the analyses. Echinacea preparations tested in clinical trials differ greatly. It is important to choose a high quality echinacea supplement. Talk to your health care provider for recommendations.
Vaginal yeast infections:
Taking echinacea and applying a medicated cream to the skin seems to lower the recurrence rate of infection to about 16% compared to 60.5% with econazole alone.
A powerful immune
booster
People, who regularly use Echinacea, know that it
works (see "Echinacea Reviews"). It is the most well-known
of medicinal herbs. Many studies confirm its effectiveness.
What must be understood about Echinacea is that the plant itself does not cure any disease. What it does is help fight the disease by making the body stronger in order to resist the illness. Echinacea is used mostly to stimulate the immune system and fight against respiratory infections, sore throats, urinary tract infections, enlarged prostrate glands, and allergies while it also protects the skin from sun damage, eczema etc. and hastens the process of healing wounds. Those who use Echinacea as a herbal preparation don't fall ill easily and even if they do the symptoms will be mild while recovery is quick.
Take early to prevent infection
For maximum effectiveness, take it with the first symptoms of infection. This can prevent it from taking hold.
Once an infection has
invaded the body Echinacea can help to shorten the recovery time.
How does it work?
In comparison with antibiotics, Echinacea works by stimulating our own immune system. Antibiotics instead destroy both harmful and beneficial bacteria.
As a result of using Echinacea instead of antibiotics your immune system becomes better able to deal with infections and viruses – as they happen.
“In
my view antibiotics should only be used as a last resort.”
says
Luzia Barclay.
Research
Luzia continues: “researchers, led by Dr Craig Coleman from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, combined the results of 14 different studies on Echinacea's anti-cold properties.
“In one of the 14 studies the researchers reviewed, echinacea was taken alongside vitamin C. This combination reduced cold incidence by 86%.”
Many scientific studies have shown that Echinacea stimulates phagocytosis, a process where white blood cells move around invading harmful micro-organisms, release chemicals and so digest them.
Anti-viral
remedy
Echinacea increases the amount of:
Interferon
Interleukin, and
A variety of other
chemicals
All are essential for the
workings of the immune system.
Echinacea stimulates
Interferon production
Our cells try to release interferon
when they are infected by viruses. This makes it more difficult for
the viral infection to spread.
Interferon works like an early
warning system:
When cells next to the virus infected cells
perceive the released interferon, they change their metabolism and
make it difficult for the virus to spread.
The
interferon then in turn puts killer cells on combat standby, which
then destroy the infected cells.
Fever
- a powerful healing response
The body produces an
increased temperature as a reaction to the infection. The fever
should not be suppressed because it is a healing response.
The
more interferon our body cells produce, the better we are able to
prevent viral infections.
Echinacea is one of the most potent
remedies that stimulate our body cells to produce more of this vital
interferon.
Cancer-preventing
properties
Research has shown that Echinacea boosts the
activity and function of cells which are called Natural Killer (NK)
cells.
Natural killer cells – a type of white blood cell – are a major component of the body's innate, quick-response immune system.
They provide a fast frontline defence against tumours, viruses and bacterial infections, by scanning the human body for cells that are cancerous or infected with a virus or bacterial pathogen, and killing them.
NK cells – along with
all other types of blood cell, both white and red – are
continuously generated from blood stem cells in the bone marrow over
the course of a person's lifetime.
What does this
mean?
This shows that by using natural remedies like
Echinacea we help to prevent illness by boosting and strengthening
our own healing power (the immune system).
Can bacteria develop
resistance? (as with antibiotics)
Whilst
we know that bacteria develop resistance to pharmaceutical
antibiotics. The best advice is to use them only as a last resort, to
retain effectiveness in emergencies.
More and more people are
becoming aware of the fact that bacteria develop resistance to
pharmaceutical antibiotics.
Echinacea, like other natural
immune boosting remedies are complex compounds, which makes it very
difficult, if not impossible, for bacteria to develop resistance.
Echinacea works to increase the activity of the immune system by stimulating white blood cells, which attack the viruses and bacteria that lead to illness or infection. This also makes it very beneficial for people with AIDS since their immune systems are weakened. This application of Echinacea is being extensively researched, since the full effect of the immune system on AIDS and cancer is still unknown. Echinacea is also every effective in treating respiratory ailments like colds. Some research has found Echinacea to be effective as an antiviral or antifungal, which also helps it fight infection. The full potential of Echinacea, for these applications and others, still needs to be thoroughly studied.
Echinacea contains several chemicals that play a role in its therapeutic effects. These include polysaccharides, glycoproteins, alkamides, volatile oils, and flavonoids.
The chemicals contained in the root differ considerably from those in the upper part of the plant. For example, the roots have high concentrations of volatile oils (odorous compounds) while the above-ground parts of the plant tend to contain more polysaccharides (substances known to trigger the activity of the immune system). The combination of these active substances is responsible for echinacea's beneficial effects, though research suggests that the above ground portion of Echinacea purpurea is the most effective.
In Germany (where herbs are regulated by the government), the above ground parts of Echinacea purpurea are approved to treat colds, upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and slow healing wounds. The root of the Echinacea pallida plant is also approved for the treatment of flu like infections.
Three species of echinacea are commonly used for medicinal purposes: Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea purpurea. Many echinacea preparations contain one, two, or even all three of these species. Different products use different parts of the echinacea plant. This is why the effectiveness of echinacea may differ from one product to another.
Echinacea (including one, two, or all three species) is available in extracts, tinctures, tablets, capsules, and ointments. It is also available in combination with other immune boosting herbs, vitamins, and minerals.
A study performed by ConsumerLab.com (an independent company that tests the purity of health, wellness, and nutrition products) found that of 11 brands of echinacea purchased for testing, only 4 contained what was stated on their labels. About 10% had no echinacea at all; half were mislabeled as to the species of echinacea in the product; and more than half of the standardized preparations did not contain the labeled amount of active ingredients.
Buy products made by reputable, established companies that distribute their products through trustworthy and knowledgeable establishments. When possible, select products with guaranteed potency or standardized extracts.
Pediatric:
Adjust the recommended adult dose to account for the child's weight. Most herbal dosages for adults are calculated on the basis of a 150 lb (70 kg) adult. Therefore, if the child weighs 50 lb (20 to 25 kg), the appropriate dose of echinacea would be 1/3 of the adult dose.
Use alcohol-free preparations for children.
Adult:
For general immune system stimulation, during colds, flu, upper respiratory tract infections, or bladder infections, choose from the following forms and take 3 times a day generally for 7 - 10 days:
1 - 2 grams dried root or herb, as tea
2 - 3 mL of standardized tincture extract
6 - 9 ml of expressed juice (succus)
300 mg of standardized, powdered extract containing 4% phenolics
Tincture (1:5): 1 - 3 mL (20 - 90 drops)
Stabilized fresh extract: 0.75 mL (15 - 23 drops)
For slow healing wounds, creams or ointments should be applied as needed.
People with tuberculosis, leukemia, diabetes, connective tissue disorders, multiple sclerosis, HIV or AIDS, any autoimmune diseases, or, possibly, liver disorders should not take echinacea. There is some concern that echinacea may reduce the effectiveness of medications that suppress the immune system. For this reason, people receiving organ transplants who must take immunosuppressant medications should avoid this herb. (See "Possible Interactions.")
Some side effects have been reported such as fever, nausea, vomiting, unpleasant taste, stomach pain, diarrhea, sore throat, dry mouth, headache, numbness of the tongue, dizziness, insomnia, disorientation, and joint and muscle aches.
In rare cases, echinacea may cause allergic reactions ranging from a mild rash to anaphylaxis (a life threatening reaction accompanied by throat tightening, shortness of breath, and, possibly, fainting). People with asthma and allergies may be at an increased risk for developing these adverse reactions. People with allergies to plants in the daisy family (compositae) should not take echinacea unless they do so under the supervision of a health care provider.
When taken by mouth, echinacea may cause temporary numbing and tingling on the tongue.
Despite concerns that echinacea may be unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding women, evidence suggests that the use of echinacea during pregnancy does not increase the risk of birth defects or other pregnancy related health problems.
If you are taking any of the following medications, you should not use echinacea without first talking to your health care provider:
Econazole -- Echinacea may be useful in combination with econazole, an antifungal agent used to treat yeast infections (such as athlete's foot). When echinacea is used together with econazole, recurrence rates of these infections may be reduced.
Immunosuppressants -- Immunosuppressants refers to a group of medications that are used for two main purposes -- treat cancer and suppress the immune system following organ transplant so that the new organ is not rejected. Because echinacea can enhance immune function, people should not use the herb with immunosuppressive medications, especially when taken for organ transplant.
In terms of cancer treatment, a couple of test tube studies imply that echinacea may be useful when used in combination with cyclophosphamide, one medication in this class. Using echinacea with this or other chemotherapy agents that act as immunosuppressants, may allow the cancer fighting medicines to kill the tumors while still protecting the immune system. If this theory proves to be correct then echinacea could possibly prevent many of the side effects of chemotherapy. More research is needed.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The following doses have
been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
For treatment of upper
respiratory infections including the common cold and influenza, a
wide variety of doses have been used depending on how the echinacea
is prepared. These preparations include:
A tablet containing 6.78 mg of Echinacea purpurea crude extract based on 95% herb and 5% root (Echinaforce, Bioforce AG): two tablets given 3 times daily.
Freeze-dried echinacea juice extract capsules: 100 mg three times daily.
Echinacea purpurea herb juice: a daily dose of 6-9 mL for up to a maximum of 8 weeks. Echinacea purpurea herb juice has also been used in a dose of 20 drops every 2 hours for the first day followed by 20 drops three times daily until cold or flu symptoms improve.
An echinacea pallida root tincture equivalent to 900 mg herb daily.
An echinacea herbal compound tea (Echinacea Plus, Traditional Medicinals), consisting of leaves, flowers, and stems of Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia plus dried extract of Echinacea purpurea root, has been used by drinking 5-6 cups of tea on the first day of symptoms and titrating down to 1 cup per day over the next 5 days. The tea is prepared by pouring 8 ounces of boiling water over one tea bag and steeping, covered, for 10-15 minutes.
Echinacea liquid (Echinagard): 20 drops every 2 hours for the first day of symptoms, then 3 times daily for up to 10 days.
Here are some reviews taken from a famous website which further highlights some of the health benefits of using Echinacea supplements regularly:
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Best price that I've seen! Fast shipping as well, November 24, 2006
By
C. Nelson (Sussex, WI USA)
There may be better deals out there, but I haven't found them. My wife and I take Echinacea sporadically (if you take it constantly it blunts its immune boosting effect), and since starting this regimen we are sick far less often, and the duration of colds has been shortened by several days vs. "pre-echinacea".
These also don't have the awful smell that some echinacea products have.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great to keep the colds away during winter weather!, April 16, 2007
By
A. Hills (Memphis, TN)
Shipping was fast and this is the cheapest vitamin company I have found. Echinacea is great for keeping the colds away in the winter months. Reviews have said to not use it for more than 8 weeks in a row, so I am going to stop this week since it is finally getting warmer here. But I have not had a cold since I started taking Echinacea once everyday in the morning and I usually have a constant cold during the winter months.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Has Kept Us From Getting a Virus, July 19, 2007
By
B. Rahn "Mrs. Rahn" (Galesburg, Illinois)
We started taking these as soon as we noticed a virus coming on and they kept us from getting the full-blown virus. I am very happy with these and will buy them [from them] again.
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Here are some general reviews taken from WebMD's medical site User Reviews & Ratings Section:
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Reviewer: rkyobo, 55-64 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Consumer)
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
I have been taking echinacea for 2 1/2 years, and since I began taking it regularly (two 350mg capsules in the morning and one at night), I have not had any type of virus, not even the common cold. No sickness at all for 2 and a half years. For me, that is nothing short of miraculous. Before I started taking echinacea, I was getting bronchitis every winter/spring. The cough would hang on for 2-3 months. I'm very happy to be virus-free. BTW, my husband has had the exact same result - also beginning taking echinacea at the same time I did. I know it has really built up my immune system. Everyone should take it! Who needs a flu shot?
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Reviewer: aprilk1987, 19-24 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Consumer)
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
i get sick and cold very easily. if i take it at the first sign of sore throat it will not get any worse. drinking green tea also helps. i now only get 1 or 2 bad colds a year as opposed to 7 or 8
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Reviewer: evamc_3, 45-54 Female on Treatment for 5 to less than 10 years
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
I have Leukopenia [low white cells], after being tested for everything and being negative the Dr's believe it was caused by a virus or antibiotics. I reasearched the uses of Echinacea and discovered it helps build white blood cells building your immune system, I am so happy I found this out it has keep my immune system up and my Dr. has tested me without taking it for a month and my white cells droped to 2500 and taking Echinacea my white cells jumped to 3500 with out a doubt it keeps me healthy.
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Reviewer: 45-54 Female on Treatment for less than 1 month
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 4
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 4
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 4
Comment:
I suffer with frequent sinus infections and to avoid taking antibiotics on a reqular basis, I take this along with another herb and have been extremely please with the results.
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Reviewer: 65-74 Male on Treatment for 5 to less than 10 years (Consumer)
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
for the last 3yrs i have not had a cold. when i see one comming on i take for 2 week all sign of a cold gone. just 2 a day for 2 weeks
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Reviewer: 45-54 Female on Treatment for 5 to less than 10 years (Caregiver)
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
I use this for 30 days on then off for 30. I literally am NEVER sick. Even cold sores stopped. I sent it with my children to college and when everyone else in the dorms were getting colds, they stayed healthy. I team this up with a multi vitamin and proper diet.
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Reviewer: candace, 19-24 Female on Treatment for less than 1 month (Consumer)
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
I use echinacea for colds or before I think I may be getting sick as it helps stave off colds and the like.
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