Echinacea for Colds and Flu

18 Jun

Posted by Dr John Anne as Uncategorized

Echinacea, (pronounced eck-in-AY-sha) a safe and highly effective natural supplement, not only rapidly improves cold and flu symptoms, but can prevent these diseases.3 Most importantly, when echinacea is combined with two other herbs, white cedar and wild indigo, even greater health benefits can be achieved.

For what is Echinacea used?

Cold & Flu Remedy: As a broad-spectrum immune system stimulant Echinacea is most used to protect against, & to treat, common colds, flu, & sore throat. A natural antibiotic, echinacea is used to treat infections, to combat low resistance to sickness & to enhance the immune system. Echinacea has also used in the treatment of chronic recurring vaginal yeast infections. Echinacea purpurea, called ‘King of the blood purifiers’ in some herbal manuscripts, has been traditionally used to help acne, boils and difficult skin conditions.

Echinacea, in terms of medicinal use, dates back well over 400 years ago. Before the discovery of antibiotics, Echinacea was the most common medicinal therapy prescribed for conditions ranging from influenza to scarlet fever and even malaria. Echinacea is believed to boost the immune system by activating all immune responses within the body. In fact, studies have shown, after five days of use,Echinacea is commonly recommended for treating skin conditions and will relieve nasal passage pain and headaches associated with the flu and common cold.

Safety of Echinacea for Colds Unknown:

None of the studies analyzed by White and colleagues included long-term safety data on the use of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of colds. The researchers write that larger trials evaluating safety are needed, “before echinacea for the prevention or treatment of the common cold can become standard practice.”This is especially true for people who are already in poor health or are taking many other drugs, White says. “If someone has multiple health conditions or is on multiple medications, they should be careful about taking any herbal product,” he says. Sampson contends the use of echinacea as a cold remedy has more to do with aggressive marketing than sound science.

How does Echinacea work?

A number of studies have shown that Echinacea works by improving the immune system in 3 ways. Firstly, it stimulates the production of macrophages, the cells of the immune system that attack the virus as well as helping them work more effectively. Secondly, it increases the natural killer cells that kill infected cells. Thirdly, the immune proteins that regulate the immune system are stimulated.

Are There Side Effects of Echinacea for the Common Cold?

Although the benefits of echinacea for the common cold are in doubt, the risks seem to be low. The most common side effect is upset stomach. Some people have allergic reactions to echinacea. This can cause: Rashes, Worsening asthma, Anaphylaxis. Echinacea may also not be safe for people who use certain drugs. Examples are some drugs for heart problems (like Cordarone and Pacerone) and some anti-fungal medicines. The combination of echinacea and these drugs could cause liver damage. Some experts recommend that you should not take echinacea for more than eight weeks at a time. Although there is no evidence that the herb would cause harm after this point, there is also no evidence about its long-term safety