Colds echinacea

Echinacea, a frequently used herb, is taken to stimulate the immune astern function by increasing the number and activity of immune cells and to stimulate phagocytosis (ingestion and destruction of bacteria and other harmful substanceIt appears to shorten the duration of colds and influenza. 

The results of clinical trials of Echinacea for the common cold are provided in ... 

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) Uses immune system stimulant prevention/Rx of colds, flu as supportive th apy for colds chronic infxns of the resp tract lower urinary tract Action Stimulates phagocytosis cytokine production T resp cellular activity topically exerts anesthetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory effects Efficacy Not established may X severity duration of URI Available forms Caps w/ powdered herb equivalent to 300-500 mg, PO, tid pressed juice 6-9 mL, PO, once/d tine 2-4 mL, PO, tid (1 5 dilution) tea 2 tsp (4 g) of powdered herb in 1 cup of boiling water Noles/SE Fever, taste p -version, urticaria, angioedema Contra w/ autoimmune Dz, collagen Dz, progressive systemic Dz (TB, MS, collagen-vascular disorders), HIV, leukemia, may interfere w/ immunosuppressive therapy Interactions t Risk of disulfiram-like reaction W/ disulfiram, metronidazole T risk of exacerbation of HIV or AIDS W/ chinacea amprenavir, other protease inhibitors X effects OF azathioprine, basiliximab, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, daclizumab, econazole vag cream, muromonab-CD3, mycophenolate, prednisone, tacrolimus EMS Possible immunosuppression... 

The purple coneflower Echinacea purpura, and its close relatives, E. angustifolia and E. pallida, are the source of the herb Echinacea, which is widely popular as a nonspecific immune stimulant. These perennials are native to the prairies of North America and are now widely grown garden ornamentals. The root and aerial parts of the plant are the portions used, and the preparation s potency can be verified by the transient tingling sensation produced when it is tasted. Echinacea contains alkamides, caffeic acid esters (echinacoside, cichoric acid, caftaric acid), polysaccharides (heteroxylan), and an essential oil. Some echinacea products are standardized for their echinacoside content. In the past, adulteration with American feverfew (Parthenium integri-folium) was common. Echinacea is now sold either by itself or in combination with golden seal or zinc for the treatment of colds and influenza. 

There are numerous studies on echinacea in the literature, many of which indicate either an in vitro immune stimulation or a significant clinical reduction in the severity and duration of upper respiratory viral symptoms, especially when taken early in the onset of symptoms. Despite several of these meta-analyses concluding that echinacea is an effective immunomodulator of acute infection, there is still controversy as to the extent of its clinical effectiveness. A number of trials now clearly indicate that echinacea is unlikely to be effective in the prevention of colds, even if it may slightly shorten their course. 

Echinacea is a widely available over-the-counter botanical remedy used for the treatment of the common cold, coughs, bronchitis, flu, and inflammation of the mouth and pharynx (141-144). It is one of the more popular botanical remedies with a sales ranking of 5 and sales of US 70 million (4). About 10% to 20% of the adult and child botanical users consume echinacea routinely (145-149). Three species of echinacea Echinacea purpurea, E. angustinfolia, and E. pallida) have been used medicinally (141). However, only the aboveground parts of E. purpura and the root of E. pallida have been approved for oral administration by the German E Commission (7). 

Turner RB, Riker DK, Gangemi JD. Ineffectiveness of Echinacea for prevention of experimental rhinovirus colds. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2000 44(6) 1708-1709. 

Echinacea is most often used to enhance immune function in individuals who have colds and other respiratory tract infections. 

Two recent reviews have assessed the efficacy of echinacea for this primary indication. A review by the Cochrane Collaboration involved 16 randomized trials with 22 comparisons. Trials were included if they involved monopreparations of echinacea for cold treatment or prevention. Prevention trials involving rhinovirus inoculation versus natural cold development were excluded. Overall, the review concluded that there was some evidence of efficacy for the aerial (above ground) parts of E purpurea plants in the early treatment of colds but that efficacy for prevention and for other species of echinacea was not clearly shown. Among the placebo-controlled comparisons for cold treatment, echinacea was superior in nine trials, showed a positive trend in one trial, and was insignificant in six trials. 

A separate meta-analysis involving 14 randomized, placebo-controlled trials of echinacea for cold treatment or prevention was published in Lancet. In this review, echinacea decreased the odds of developing clear signs and symptoms of a cold by 58% and decreased symptom duration by 1.25 days. This review, however, was confounded by the inclusion of four... 

The dosing can be provided only for E purpurea preparations due to inadequate data for the other two plant species of echinacea. Epurpurea freshly pressed juice is given at a dosage of 6-9 mL/d in divided doses two to five times daily. Echinacea is generally taken within the first 24 hours of cold symptoms. It should not be used as a preventative agent or for longer than 10-14 days. 

Goel V et al A proprietary extract from the Echinacea plant (Echinacea purpurea) enhances systemic immune response during a common cold. Phytother Res 2005 19 689. [PMID 16177972]... 

Linde et al Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006 (1) CD000530. 

So what are we to make of a product like Dr. Jamieson s Instant Chicken Soup fortified with echinacea According to the package, each serving contains one gram of echinacea root. How much active ingredient does this translate into Nobody knows. Has anyone conducted studies to prove that the product can vanquish the common cold It s doubtful. Still, it couldn t hurt to try some. Maybe I ll do that the next time I have a cold. If it doesn t work, perhaps I ll try Echinaforce. Or plain old homemade chicken soup. In any case, I think I ll pass on the Dominican herbal miracle. Stimulating advertising, but no hard facts. 

Echinacea is derived from the root and seeds of the Echinacea plant that grows in parts of the Midwestern United States. This herb is used primarily to stimulate or support the immune system, and is often used to treat cold symptoms and other relatively minor respiratory tract infections.8 38 Although the exact reasons for beneficial effects are unclear, there is considerable evidence that echinacea preparations can reduce symptoms of the common cold when taken soon after symptoms appear.5,71 The ability of echinacea to prevent colds and other infections, however, is less well defined.49 Echinacea can also be administered topically to treat burns and other localized wounds. The most common side effects associated with echinacea are gastrointestinal (GI) upset, skin rash, and other allergic or hypersensitivity reactions.36... 

Echinacea Echinacea species (E angustifolia E pallida purpurea) Roots and seeds from the echinacea plant Immune stimulant treatment of colds and upper respiratory tract infections applied topically to promote wound healing... 

Schoop R, Klein P, Suter A, Johnston SL. Echinacea in the prevention of induced rhinovirus colds a metaanalysis. Clin Ther. 2006 28 174-183. 

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. 

Colds Anise, boneset, coltsfoot, comfrey, echinacea, elderberry, ginger, goldenseal (yellow-root), licorice, nettle, pleurisy root, slippery elm, spotted cranesbill, valerian, and willow bark or dogwood... 

Turner et al. (2005) evaluated the efficacy of Echinacea angustifolia in experimental rhinovirus infections. The results of this study indicate that extracts of E. angustifolia root, either alone or in combination, did not have clinically significant effects on the infection or on the clinical illness that results from it. Be that as it may, many believe in echinacea and used it routinely to avert the common cold. 

Echinacea. The several varieties of this plant, also called the purple coneflower, are used to strengthen the body s immune system and for both prevention and treatment of colds and flu. Sixteen clinical trials involving over 3,000 patients have produced mixed results. In some of the studies, echinacea reduced the severity and duration of colds and flu. However, the evidence that this herb can actually prevent colds and flu is weak at best. 

Echinacea is most often used to enhance immune function in individuals who have colds and other respiratory tract infections. Systematic reviews and cold treatment trials generally report favorable results for Echinacea in reducing symptoms or time to recovery if the agent was administered within the first 24 hours of a cold. To date, however, most of these trials have contained multiple variables (eg, formulation, dose, duration) that make it difficult to make a clear therapeutic recommendation or ensure reproducible outcomes. At best, symptoms and duration may be reduced by about 25-30%. Echinacea has also been evaluated as a prophylactic agent in the prevention of upper respiratory tract infection. These trials have generally been less favorable and have reported no effect. 

Echinacea—Supports the immune system promotes health during the cold/flu season... 

The regulation of Echinacea products in the United States would fall under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA). In the United States, statutory 403 (a)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prohibits labeling that is false or misleading. Under DSHEA, a structure/-function claim can be made, provided the claim meets the criteria set forth in statutory 403(r)(6). Structure/function claims are permissible if a specific disease is not targeted, unless reviewed by FDA. A structure/function claim such as supports the immune system would be acceptable whereas alleviates the common cold or flu would not be acceptable for Echinacea because the claim targets a specific disease state (i.e., cold or flu). 

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