Echinacea

Long used by Native Americans and consequently some early American settlers and doctors, echinacea fell out of favour with the advent of modern antibiotics. But it’s fast regaining popularity as a safe and powerful immune-system booster to fight colds, flu and other infections.

What it is

Echinacea is a wildflower with daisy-like purple blossoms native to the grasslands of the central United States, where it is also known as the purple or prairie coneflower. For centuries, the Plains tribes used the plant to heal wounds and to counteract the toxins of snakebites. The herb also became popular with European-American pioneers and their doctors as an all-purpose infection fighter.

Of the nine echinacea species, three (Echinacea angustifolia, E. pallida and E. purpurea) are used medicinally. They appear in literally hundreds of commercial preparations, which utilise different parts of the plant (flowers, leaves, stems or roots) and come in a variety of forms. Echinacea contains many active ingredients thought to strengthen the immune system, and in recent years it has become one of the world’s most popular herbal remedies.

What it does

A natural antibiotic and infection fighter, echinacea helps to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi and other disease-causing microbes. It acts by stimulating various immune-system cells that are key weapons in the fight against infection. In addition, the herb boosts the cells’ production of a natural virus-fighting substance called interferon. Because these effects are relatively shortlived, however, the herb is best taken at frequent intervals – as often as every couple of hours during acute infections.

Prevention

Echinacea can help prevent the two most common viral ailments – colds and flu. It is most effective when taken at the first hint of illness. In one study of people who were susceptible to colds, those who used the herb for eight weeks were 35% less likely to come down with a cold than those given a placebo. furthermore, they caught colds less often – 40 days elapsed between infections, versus 25 days for the placebo group. Studies confirm that echinacea is also useful if you’re already suffering from the aches, pains, congestion or fever of colds or flu. Overall, symptoms are less severe and subside sooner.

Additional benefits

Echinacea may be of value in treating recurrent ailments, including vaginal yeast, urinary tract infections and middle ear infections. It is also sometimes used to treat strep throat, staph infections, herpes infections (including genital herpes, cold sores and shingles), bronchitis and sinus infections. Moreover, the herb is being studied as a possibl treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome and AIDS. And it may prove effective against some types of cancer, particularly in patients whose immune systems are depressed by radiation treatments or chemotherapy.

Echinacea can be applied to the skin as well. Its juice promotes the healing of all kinds of wounds, abscesses, eczema, burns, mouth ulcers, cold sores and bedsores. To treat a sore throad or tonsillitis, the tincture can be diluted and used as a gargle.

Common uses

• Reduce the body’s susceptibility to colds and flu.
• Limits the duration and severity of infections.
• Helps to fight recurrent respiratory, middle ear, urinary tract and vaginal yeast infecitons.
• Speeds the healing of skin wounds and inflammations.

Forms

• Capsule.
• Tablet.
• Lozenge.
• Tincture.
• Liquid.
• Dried herb/Tea.

How to take it

Dosage

Because echinacea comes in many different forms, check the product’s label for the proper dosage. For colds and flu: A high dose is needed – up to 200 mcg five times a day. In one major study, subjects with flu who were given 900 mg of echinacea a day did better than those who received either a lower dose of 450 mg a day or a placebo. For other infections: The recommended dose is 200 mg three or four times a day. For long term use as a general immune booster: To derive the most benefits, especially for those prone to chronic infections, alternate echinacea every two months with other immune-enhancing herbs, including goldenseal, astragalus, pau d’arco and medicinal mushrooms. Echinacea teas, often blended with other herbs, are available as well.

Guidelines for use

Echinacea can be taken with or without food. It should be used for no longer than eight weeks, followed by a one-week interval before you resume taking it. Some studies suggest that the herb’s immunity-boosting effects diminish with continuous use. Starting and stopping, or rotating it with other herbs, may maximise its effectiveness.

Possible side effects

At recommended doses, echinacea has no known side effects, and no adverse rections have been reported in pregnant or breast-feeding women. However, people who are allergic to flowers in the daisy family may also be allergic to this herb. If you develop a skin rash or breathing difficulty, call your doctor straight away.

Caution

If your taking antibiotics or other drugs for an infection, use echinacea as an addition to, not as a replacement for, those medications.

Echinacea can overstimulate the immune system, and may aggravate symptoms of lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other auto-immune disorders. It may also be counterproductive in progressibe infections such as tuberculosis.

Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.