Benefits
- Echinacea is used to treat upper respiratory tract infections.
- Echinacea inhibits COX-I and COX-II enzymes.
- Echinacea stimulates activity against Herpes simplex (HSV) virus Type I.
- Echinacea inhibits the Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA).
- Echinacea prevents exercise-induced immunosuppression.
- Echinacea prevents recurrent Otitis Media.
- Echinacea increases human macrophage levels of IL-1, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10.
- Echinacea increases phagocytosis of candida albicans.
- Echinacea stimulates production of lymphokines by lymphocytes.
- Echinacea treats colds, coughs and flu.
Echinacea has been used by Native Americans as an immune stimulant and general anti- viral and bacterial aid for hundreds of years because it stimulates the overall activity of the immune system, increasing the chance of fighting off almost any disease. Clinical studies have shown that echinacea extracts improve white blood cell count and help to stimulate immune response; it had also been shown to be an effective herbal antibiotic in these tests. And of course before drugs (e.g. sulfa antibiotics) were available, echinacea was used to treat illness even back in the frontier days, we can thank the natives for this. Back ‘in the day’ echinacea was the number one cold and flu remedy in the United States. In a recent study where children were taking the herb, the echinacea group experienced significantly fewer second and third upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) than children in the placebo group in the 4-month trial. Similar results were observed in studies using adults with upper respiratory tract infections and viral infections. And to prove its effectiveness and the faith that people have in it, echinacea is prescribed as a medicine in Germany where many herbs are treated like drugs, for colds and flu and has more recently been shown to have value in the defense against tumor cells.
Because echinacea increases the "non-specific" activity of the immune system, in recent years the general public has really latched onto this herb because it works. In general it has been found to be very effective in not only stimulating the immune system, but is used for other medical problems as well such as those found in the digestive tract, eyes, skin and for joint disorders. In other words, unlike a drug which is active only against a specific disease, echinacea stimulates the systemic activity of the cells responsible for fighting all kinds of infection. Using these natural immune stimulants (like echinacea) if the quality is good, is far better than taking drugs for over all health long term. Unlike antibiotics which are broad spectrum, and kill all bacteria both good and bad in the gut, echinacea makes our own immune cells more efficient in attacking bacteria, viruses, abnormal cells, that also includes in some cases cancer cells. Echinacea can even speed up wound healing; it will decrease the symptoms of, and will speed up the recovery from viral infections which is very difficult today because of the problem with viral mutation. And it’s little known anti-inflammatory effects make it useful externally on skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema.
Echinacea is safe for long term use, there are no known toxicities to it and it is very well tolerated by most people. Using echinacea requires a little fore-thought with regard to what diseases it will be effective against. It should not be used in progressive systemic and auto-immune disorders such as tuberculosis, connective tissue disorders, collagenosis and related diseases such as lupus, according to the German Commission E. But as soon as you recognize the symptoms of a cold or flu coming on, you need to start taking the product as often as is possible to suppress the advance of the disease. One item should be noted and that is with long-term use, echinacea appears to lose its effectiveness. So, you should use this product in cycles; the maximum period of continuous use should be no longer than 6-8 weeks at a time. So as you can see, maintaining a healthy immune system will be the path to a longer happier life, and while all are sick around you, you will be the poster child for health! †
REFERENCES:
- Taylor JA, Weber W, Standish L, Quinn H, Goesling J, McGann M, Calabrese C. Efficacy and safety of Echinacea in treating upper respiratory tract infections in children: A randomized controlled trial. J Amer Med Assn Dec 3, 2003; 290(21):2824-30.
- Facino, R. M., M. Carini, et al. (1995). "Echinacoside and caffeoyl conjugates protect collagen from free-radical-induced degradation: A potential use of Echinacea extracts in the prevention of skin photodamage." Planta Medica 61(6): 510-514.
- Mark, John D, Grant, Kathryn L., Barton, Leslie L.; Clinical Pediatrics, May 2001, Vol. 40 Issue 5, p265, 5p; The Use of Dietary Supplements in Pediatrics: A Study of Echinacea
- Roberts, Shauna S.; Diabetes Forecast, Oct 2000, Vol. 53 Issue 10, p43, 4p, 1bw; The Diabetes Advisor.
Packaging: 500 mg., 90 tablets
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†These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. |
