Blood echinacea

Rininger, J.A. et al., Immunopharmacological activity of Echinacea preparations following simulated digestion on murine macrophages and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, J Leukoc Biol, 68, 503, 2000. 

Gan, X.H. et al., Mechanism of activation of human peripheral blood NK cells at the single cell level by Echinacea water soluble extracts Recruitment of lymphocyte-target conjugates and killer cells and activation of programming for lysis, Int Immunopharmacol, 3, 811, 2003. 

The effect of echinacea on the immune system is controversial. In vivo human studies using commercially marketed formulations of E purpurea have shown increased phagocytosis, total circulating white blood cells, monocytes, neutrophils, and natural killer cells but not immunostimulation. In vitro, Epurpurea juice increased production of interleukins-1, -6, and -10, and tumor necrosis factor- by human macrophages. Enhanced natural killer cell activity and antibody-dependent cellular toxicity was also observed with E purpurea extract in cell lines from both healthy and immunocompromised patients. Studies using the isolated purified polysaccharides from Epurpurea have also shown cytokine activation. Polysaccharides by themselves, however, are unlikely to accurately reproduce the activity of the entire extract. 

There is no doubt, though, that echinacea has physiological activity. Researchers have cured rodents infected with bacteria by injecting them with echinacea solutions. But this is not the same as a human taking an oral preparation. The polysaccharides, which are widely regarded as active molecules, probably do not survive digestion. Test-tube studies also indicate that a number of echinacea preparations can increase the activity of certain white blood cells that have immune function, but human evidence is harder to come by. Conflicting studies... 

Echinacea was originally utilized by Native Americans as a blood purifier and was used in the treatment of snake bites, infections, and malignancy. Today, echinacea is promoted primarily in oral dosage forms as an immune stimulant that helps increase resistance to colds, influenza, and other infections, although topical products for wounds and inflammatory skin conditions are also available. 

Before Europeans arrived in America, echinacea was a popular herbal drug among Native Americans, who used it to treat respiratory infections, inflammation of the eyes, toothache, and snakebite. European colonists quickly adopted the herb. In the nineteenth century, European Americans used echinacea as a blood purifier, believing that it cleared the blood of disease-causing toxins. Europeans used echinacea to treat diseases such as eczema, veneral diseases, lymphangitis (swelling of the lymph vessels), and sepsis (infection of the blood with microorganisms). 

Astralagus 2. Echinacea 3. Liquorice 4. Milk thistle 5. Neem 6. Sea buckthorn 1. Ciclosporin 2. Azathioprine 3. Methotrexate 4. Tacrolimus 5. Dadizumab 6. Cyclophosphamide Possibility of graft rejection 1 blood level unknown mechanism (astralagus). Other mechanisms alkyl amides from echinacea modulate tumour necrosis factor alpha mRNA expression in human monocytes/macrophages via the cannabinoid type 2 receptor Unknown mechanism (milk thistle is known to l cyclosporine levels neem L effects of azathioprine, prednisolone and dadizumab sea buckthorn may 1 effect of cyclophosphamide) Induces metabolizing enzymes, CYP3A4 and P-gp (St John s wort L ciclosporin and tacrolimus levels) Avoid concomitant use of the herb... 

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia) Echinacea enhances immunity by increasing white blood cells, activating granulocytes, and increasing cells in the spleen. The Echinacea leaf combats respiratory and urinary infections and is used to treat snakebite. The Echinacea root is used to treat flu symptoms. Patients with autoimmune disease and abnormal T-cell functions should avoid Echinacea. Patients who take Echinacea should do so for 8 weeks. Do not stop taking Echinacea after 1 week. 

Onset of colds and flu Echinacea should be used at the very early onset of a cold or flu when you feel just the earliest hint of that tingle in the body that signals the approach of symptoms. It is at this point that echinacea is most effective, but it must be taken in large doses and frequently to be effective. When it is taken after the full onset of symptoms, I have found (in over 10 years of clinical experience) that echinacea is not effective, irrespective of its proven ability to increase white blood cell count. Usually, assertive action at this early point in infection will result in averting the full onset of either colds or flu as long as the immune system is relatively healthy. A compromised immune system will, after a while, fail to prevent disease in spite of any stimulation you give it (see contraindications, on the next page). 

Serious blood infections (bacteremia) Though I have not met any modern clinicians who have used echinacea in this most serious of conditions, the eclectic physicians, botanical doctors that practiced in the early part of the twentieth century, used it for this condition, apparently with success. Its proven ability to stimulate white blood cell counts appears to support the use of massive doses for this condition. 

Cannabinomimetic activity. The echinacea alkamides dodeca-2 , 4 , 8Z,10Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide and dodeca-2 , 4 -dienoic acid isobutylamide bind more strongly to the human CB2 cannabinoid receptor (Zj 60 uM) than the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (A i > 200 run). The CB2 binding resulted in inhibition of LPS-induced inflammation in human whole blood." An earlier study with rodent cannabinoid receptors (CBl and CB2) also showed that alkamides from E. angusti-folia roots displayed selective CB2 binding. ... 

T raditional Medicine. This plant (E. angustifolia) was universally used as an antidote for snakebite and other venomous bites and stings and poisonous conditions. Echinacea seems to have been used as a remedy for more ailments than any other plant. Diseases and conditions for which echinacea was employed by physicians (1887-1939) included old sores, wounds, snakebite, gangrene, and as a local antiseptic internally for diphtheria, typhoid conditions, cholera infantum, syphilis, and blood poisoning. ... 

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