Echinacea treatment

Hoheisel, O., Sandberg, M., Bertram, S., Bulitta, M., and Schafer, M. 1997. Echinacea treatment shortens the course of the common cold a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur. J. Clin. Res. 9, 261-269. 

Echinacea Treatment and prevention of upper respiratory infections, common cold Rash, pruritis, dizziness, unclear long-term effects on the immune system. 

Most herbalists recommend that echinacea should be taken at the initial signs of infection, when symptomsfirst become apparent. Smalt repeated dosesthroughout the day may be better than taking larger doses less frequently. Because it isan immunosuppressant, the herb should not be taken for more than eight consecutive weeks. Seven to fourteen days of treatment is usually sufficient. 

Rehman, J. et al., Increased production of antigen-specific immunoglobulins G and M following in vivo treatment with the medicinal plants Echinacea angustifolia and Hydrastis canadensis, Immunol Lett, 68, 391,1999. 

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. 

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). 

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... 

Echinacea has been used investigationally to enhance hematologic recovery following chemotherapy. It has also been used as an adjunct in the treatment of urinary tract and vaginal fungal infections. These indications require further research before they can be accepted in clinical practice. E purpurea is ineffective in treating recurrent genital herpes. 

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... 

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. 

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. 

The treatment group did have significantly lower scores for rhinorrhea, nasal congestion and sore throats, suggesting that treatment with Echinacea could alleviate some symptoms of the common cold. Wiistenberg et al. (1999) reported similar results using the preparation Esberitox , a product made with Echinacea root, wild indigo root and white cedar leaves. 

From the clinical evaluations reported to date, no clear recommendation can be drawn with regard to the effectiveness of Echinacea in clinical environments. However, the use of Echinacea as a treatment for colds or symptoms of colds are more strongly supported by clinical studies than using Echinacea as a prophylactic. The use of standardized extracts and dosages may be a better approach for evaluating Echinacea in clinical studies. 

Brinkeborn, R., Shah, D., and Degenring, F. 1999. Echinaforce and other Echinacea fresh plant preparations in the treatment of the common cold. Phytomedicine 6, 1 -5. 

Chamomile is considered to be a probable OADR, causing severe conjunctivitis when applied around the eyes. Interestingly, there are ocular indications for this herbal product, which include treatment of styes, inflammation, and epiphora. Echinacea purpurea is used to treat the common cold and other disorders but has been shown to cause possible conjunctivitis and eye irritation when applied topically. 

Echinacea species (coneflower, black Sampson hedgehog, Indian head, snakeroot, red sunflower, scurvy root) have become increasingly popular, particularly for the prophylaxis and treatment and prevention of cold and flu symptoms. However, the claimed efficacy of Echinacea in the common cold has not been confirmed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (20) or a systematic review (21). Echinacea is claimed to have antiseptic and antiviral properties and is under investigation for its immunostimulant action. The active ingredients are glycosides (echinacoside), polysaccharides, alkamides, and flavonoids. 

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