Immune system Echinacea

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... 

Echinacea appears to be a very safe herb, producing only minor gastrointestinal (GI) side effects and an occasional allergic reaction, usually in atopic patients already sensitized to other members of the Compositae plant family. Anaphylaxis has occurred rarely. Use in HFV is discouraged because of the concern that long-term therapy may eventually suppress the immune system. 

While it is still controversial, there is some evidence that echinacea stimulates the immune system and may mitigate some of the symptoms of viral infection. However, it does not appear to be helpful in preventing viral infections, and long-term use should be avoided. 

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. 

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... 

Block KI, Mead AIN. Immune system effects of echinacea, ainsena, and astragalus a review. Inteer Cancer Ther. 2003 2 247-267. 

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—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). 

Echinacea has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant and has been promoted recently as an immunostimulant. Research from the last two decades has shown that Echinacea can enhance the immune system using in vitro and in vivo indicators. Jager et al. (2002) reported that dodeca-2E,4 , 8Z,10 yZ-tetraenoic acid isobutylamides could cross biological barriers via passive diffusion, suggesting that the alkamides may contribute to the in vivo effects noted by researchers. In contrast, conflicting results have... 

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

It is clear that echinacea can stimulate cumponenls of the innate immune system, but no single component seems to be re.sponsible for the effect. Echinacea, if taken at the onset of symptoms uf a cold or flu. will le.ssen the severity uf the disease. It is not recommended that one use cchinacca longer than 10 tu 14 day.s. however, and persons under the age of 12 and those who are immunocompromised should never use this herb. 

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). 

Siberian ginseng is specifically indicated for people with immunode-pression, fatigue, and a lack of vitality and perhaps those who get sick a lot. Unlike echinacea, it is not an immune stimulant rather, it is an immune enhancer and helps restore optimum functioning in the immune system. As it is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, it is also useful in depression, a condition that often accompanies a severely depleted immune system. 

Bergner, Paul. The Healing Power of Echinacea and Goldenseal and Other Immune System Herbs. Rocklin,... 

Echinacea is a group of flowers, related to daisies, sometimes also called coneflowers. Different members of this group are used in herbal medicines to stimulate the body s immune system. Scientific studies on the effectiveness of echinacea are contradictory, however, as some have shown clear effects in the prevention of or shortening of the length of colds, while others have concluded that it is mostly ineffective. 

The preparations are featured with combining probiotics and prebiotics (mannans and glucans on cell walls of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and phytobiotics of the medicinal plants - Echinacea purpurea and holy thistle. Echinacea has immunomodulatory properties. Echinacea preparations exhibit antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. When intaking the Echinacea preparations at metabolic disorders, at the impact of different chemical compounds of toxic nature, contained in the feed (heavy metals, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides), a stimulation of the immune system has been observed. 

Echinacea Improve immune system Alkylamides, flavonoids... 

The major activity for Echinacea species and chemical fractions thereof is nonspecific stimulation of the immune system, hmnunos-timulant activity involves an overall increase in phagocytosis by macrophages and granulocytes. Oral dosage is as effective as parenteral dosage forms, though acts more slowly. ... 

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]... 

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