More Info Here:
Unlike antibiotics
which are broad
spectrum, and kill
all bacteria both
good and bad in the
gut, Echinacea, if
the quality is good,
makes our own
immune cells more
efficient in attacking
bacteria, viruses,
abnormal cells, that
also includes
cancer cells.
which are broad
spectrum, and kill
all bacteria both
good and bad in the
gut, Echinacea, if
the quality is good,
makes our own
immune cells more
efficient in attacking
bacteria, viruses,
abnormal cells, that
also includes
cancer cells.
| plant known as echinacea. The herb is named for the prickly scales in its large conical seed head, which resemble the spines of an angry hedgehog (echinos is Greek for hedgehog). |
| Overview |
Results of archeological digs indicate that Native Americans may have used echinacea for over 400 years to treat
infections and wounds and as a general "cure-all." Echinacea has also been used throughout history to treat scarlet
fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria. 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. Echinacea preparations
became increasingly popular in Germany throughout the 20th century -- in fact, almost all of the scientific research on
this herb has been conducted in this country.
Today, echinacea is primarily used to reduce the symptoms and duration of the common cold and flu and to alleviate
the symptoms associated with them, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also
recommend echinacea to help boost the activity of the immune system and to help the body fight infections.
infections and wounds and as a general "cure-all." Echinacea has also been used throughout history to treat scarlet
fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria. 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. Echinacea preparations
became increasingly popular in Germany throughout the 20th century -- in fact, almost all of the scientific research on
this herb has been conducted in this country.
Today, echinacea is primarily used to reduce the symptoms and duration of the common cold and flu and to alleviate
the symptoms associated with them, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also
recommend echinacea to help boost the activity of the immune system and to help the body fight infections.
| General Uses |
the immune system, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. For this
reason, professional herbalists may also recommend echinacea to treat urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast
(candida) infections, ear infections (also known as otitits media), athlete's foot, sinusitis, hay fever (also called allergic
rhinitis), as well as slow-healing wounds.
reason, professional herbalists may also recommend echinacea to treat urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast
(candida) infections, ear infections (also known as otitits media), athlete's foot, sinusitis, hay fever (also called allergic
rhinitis), as well as slow-healing wounds.
| Common cold |
| Two groups of researchers recently conducted a review of the scientific literature to determine whether echinacea is safe and effective in preventing or treating the common cold. Both groups of researchers identified 13 high-quality European studies including a variety of different echinacea preparations. |
Nine looked at the effectiveness of echinacea to treat the common cold and four examined whether echinacea helps
prevent this familiar health problem.
nose, scratchy throat, and fever), those who drank 5 to 6 cups of echinacea tea every day for 5 days felt better sooner
than those who drank tea without echinacea. Other studies have found that echinacea reduces cold symptoms by
roughly 34 percent.
One popular way that echinacea is used is to try prevent a cold or flu by taking the herb throughout cold and flu season
or just after exposure to an infection via a friend or loved one. Despite the popularity of this approach, several studies
suggest that it does not work. Three out of four well-designed studies found that echinacea was only "marginally"
better than placebo in preventing the common cold. The last study revealed that echinacea was, in fact, no better than
placebo at all in 117 healthy volunteers treated with one or the other for two weeks after being exposed to rhinovirus (a
virus that often causes colds). An equal number of men and women in the placebo and echinacea groups developed
a cold. The consensus seems to be that echinacea may help treat but not prevent the common cold.
prevent this familiar health problem.
nose, scratchy throat, and fever), those who drank 5 to 6 cups of echinacea tea every day for 5 days felt better sooner
than those who drank tea without echinacea. Other studies have found that echinacea reduces cold symptoms by
roughly 34 percent.
One popular way that echinacea is used is to try prevent a cold or flu by taking the herb throughout cold and flu season
or just after exposure to an infection via a friend or loved one. Despite the popularity of this approach, several studies
suggest that it does not work. Three out of four well-designed studies found that echinacea was only "marginally"
better than placebo in preventing the common cold. The last study revealed that echinacea was, in fact, no better than
placebo at all in 117 healthy volunteers treated with one or the other for two weeks after being exposed to rhinovirus (a
virus that often causes colds). An equal number of men and women in the placebo and echinacea groups developed
a cold. The consensus seems to be that echinacea may help treat but not prevent the common cold.
| Plant Description |
Echinacea has tall stems, bears single flowers that are pink or
purple, and has a central cone that is usually purplish-brown in
color. The large cone is actually a seed head with sharp spines
that resemble a stiff comb. Of nine echinacea species, only three
are used for medicinal purposes (Echinacea angustifolia,
Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea purpurea).
purple, and has a central cone that is usually purplish-brown in
color. The large cone is actually a seed head with sharp spines
that resemble a stiff comb. Of nine echinacea species, only three
are used for medicinal purposes (Echinacea angustifolia,
Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea purpurea).
| Plant Description |
Pediatric
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 for this child 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 three times a day:
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 for this child 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 three times a day:
- 1 to 2 grams dried root or herb, as tea
- 2 to 3 mL of standardized tincture
extract - 200 mg of powdered extract
containing 4% phenolics - Tincture (1:5): 1 to 3 mL (20 to 90
drops) - Stabilized fresh extract: 0.75 mL (15 to
23 drops)
| For slow-healing wounds, creams or ointments should be applied as needed. |
| Possible Interactions |
If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use echinacea without first
talking to your healthcare 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, it is not advisable to use the herb with medications in this class, especially for organ
transplant.
In terms of cancer treatment, however, a couple of test tube studies imply that echinacea may prove useful when used
in conjunction with cyclophosphamide, one medication in this class. The idea is that using echinacea with this or
other chemotherapy agents that act as immunosuppressants, may allow the cancer-fighting medicines to kill the
tumors while the immune system continues to be protected. If this theory proves to be correct, then, echinacea could
possibly prevent many of the untoward side effects of chemotherapy.
talking to your healthcare 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, it is not advisable to use the herb with medications in this class, especially for organ
transplant.
In terms of cancer treatment, however, a couple of test tube studies imply that echinacea may prove useful when used
in conjunction with cyclophosphamide, one medication in this class. The idea is that using echinacea with this or
other chemotherapy agents that act as immunosuppressants, may allow the cancer-fighting medicines to kill the
tumors while the immune system continues to be protected. If this theory proves to be correct, then, echinacea could
possibly prevent many of the untoward side effects of chemotherapy.
| Precautions |
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however,
contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For
these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of
botanical medicine.
The American Herbal Products Association gives echinacea a class 1 safety rating, which indicates that it is safe
when used appropriately (as instructed by the product label) and with the guidance of a healthcare professional. In
Germany, use of echinacea is restricted to no longer than eight weeks at a time. This is because after eight
consecutive weeks, echinacea losses its effectiveness and may even diminish immune function. Regular users of
this herb, need "break" periods – namely, periods of time that they are not taking echinacea in order for it to maintain
its ability to enhance immune function and fight infection.
Individuals 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 [see Possible Interactions]) should avoid this
herb.
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.
There has been one report of an individual developing erythema nodosum (a painful skin condition) after taking
echinacea to treat the flu.
When taken by mouth, echinacea may cause a temporary numbing and tingling sensation on the tongue.
Despite concerns that echinacea may be unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding women, new evidence suggests that
the use of echinacea during pregnancy does not increase the risk of birth defects or other pregnancy-related health
problems.
contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For
these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of
botanical medicine.
The American Herbal Products Association gives echinacea a class 1 safety rating, which indicates that it is safe
when used appropriately (as instructed by the product label) and with the guidance of a healthcare professional. In
Germany, use of echinacea is restricted to no longer than eight weeks at a time. This is because after eight
consecutive weeks, echinacea losses its effectiveness and may even diminish immune function. Regular users of
this herb, need "break" periods – namely, periods of time that they are not taking echinacea in order for it to maintain
its ability to enhance immune function and fight infection.
Individuals 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 [see Possible Interactions]) should avoid this
herb.
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.
There has been one report of an individual developing erythema nodosum (a painful skin condition) after taking
echinacea to treat the flu.
When taken by mouth, echinacea may cause a temporary numbing and tingling sensation on the tongue.
Despite concerns that echinacea may be unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding women, new evidence suggests that
the use of echinacea during pregnancy does not increase the risk of birth defects or other pregnancy-related health
problems.
| The information contained herein is not intended to offer medical advice or to act in any way as a substitute for consultation and advice from a health care professional. These products are not intended for use as a means to cure, treat, prevent, diagnose, or mitigate any disease or other medical condition. |
| 281-893-8290 |
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