ECHINACEA or PURPLE CONEFLOWERS

Echinacea, or purple coneflowers, are beautiful plants with tall stems and a pinky-purple, daisylike flower. In the centre of the flower is a brown cone of spiky seed heads. The name comes from echinos meaning hedgehog, and this prickly creature reminds us of the gifts of echinacea - it helps build up our defences and fights infections.

Long used by Native Americans, Midwestern settlers and earlier generations of doctors, this herb fell out of favour with the advent of modern antibiotics. But echinacea is regaining popularity as a safe and powerful immune-system booster to fight colds, flu and other infections.

What it is?

Also known as the purple, or prairie coneflower, echinacea (pronounced ek-in-NAY-sha) is a wildflower with daisylike purple blossoms native to the grasslands of the central United States. For centuries, the Plains people used the plant to heal wounds and to counteract the toxins of snakebites. The herb also became popular with European-American pioneers and their doctors, who considered it an all-purpose infection fighter.

Of the nine echinacea species, three are used medicinally. They appear in literally hundreds of commercial preparations, which utilise different parts of the plant: flowers, leaves, stems or roots, and come in a variety of forms. Echinacea contains many active ingredients thought to strengthen the immune system, and in recent years it has become one of the most popular herbal remedies in the world.

What it does?

A natural antibiotic and infection fighter, echinacea helps to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi and other disease-causing microbes. It acts by stimulating various immune-system cells which are key weapons against infection. In addition, the herb boosts the cells’ production of an innate virus-fighting substance called interfleron. Because these effects are relatively short-lived, however, the herb is best administered at frequent intervals - as often as every couple of hours during acute infections.

PREVENTION: Echinacea can help prevent the two most common viral ailments - colds and flu. It is most effective when taken at the first hint of illness. In one study of people who were susceptible to colds, those who used the herb for eight weeks were 35 per cent less likely to come down with a cold than those given a placebo. Furthermore, they caught colds less often - 40 days elapsed between infections, versus 25 days for the placebo group. Studies confirm that echinacea is also useful if you’re already suffering from the aches, pains, congestion or fever of colds or flu. Overall, symptoms are less severe and subside sooner.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS: Echinacea may be of value for recurrent ailments, including vaginal yeast, urinary tract and middle ear infections. It is also sometimes used to treat strep throat, staph infections, herpes infections (including genital herpes, cold sores and shingles), bronchitis and sinus infections. Moreover, the herb is being studied as a possible treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome and AIDS. And it may prove effective against some types of cancer, particularly in patients whose immune systems are depressed by radiation treatments or chemotherapy.

Echinacea can be applied to the skin as well. Its juice promotes the healing of all kinds of wounds, boils, abscesses, eczema, burns, mouth ulcers, cold sores and bedsores. To treat a sore throat or tonsillitis, the tincture can be diluted and used as a gargle.

How to take it?

DOSAGE:
Because echinacea comes in many different forms, check the product’s label for the proper dosage. For colds and flu: A high dose is needed - up to 200 mg five times per day. In one major study, patients with flu who were given 900 mg of echinacea a day did better than those who received either a lower dosage of 450 mg per day or a placebo. For other infections: The recommended dose is 200 mg three or four times per day.
For long-term use as a general immune booster: To derive the most benefits, especially for those prone to chronic infections, alternate echinacea every three weeks with other immune-enhancing herbs, including goldenseal, astragalus, pau d’arco and medicinal mushrooms. Echinacea teas, often blended with other herbs, are available as well.

GUIDELINES FOR USE: Echinacea should be used no longer than eight weeks, (during the two mid winter months) followed by a one-week interval before you resume taking it. Some studies suggest that with continuos use, the herb’s immunity-boosting effects diminish. I would suggest that taking Echinacea from the beginning of autumn, through winter, with a one week break every four weeks or rotating it with other herbs, may maximise its effectiveness, and then using other seasonal herbs during the spring and summer. You can take it with or without food.

COMMON USES

• Reduces the body’s susceptibility to colds and flu.
• Limits the duration and severity of infections.
• Helps to fight recurrent respiratory, middle ear, urinary tract and vaginal yeast infections.
• Speeds the healing of skin wounds and inflammation.

FORMS

• Capsule
• Tablet
• Soft gel
• Lozenge
• Tincture
• Liquid  
• Dried herb/Tea

NB Caution:

• If you are taking antibiotics or other medicines for an infection, use echinacea as an addition to, not as a replacement for those medications.
• Echinacea can over stimulate the immune system and may worsen symptoms of lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or other auto immune disorders. It may also be counterproductive in progressive infections such as tuberculosis.

Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

Possible side effects
At recommended doses, echinacea has no known side effects, and no adverse reactions have been reported in pregnant or breast-feeding women. However, people who are allergic to flowers in the daisy family may also be allergic to this herb. If you develop a skin rash or have trouble breathing, call your doctor right away. Echinacea may interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.

SHOPPING HINTS

• Buying echinacea can be confusing because it comes in many different forms. Experts often recommend a liquid - either the fresh-pressed juice (standardised to contain 2,4 percent beta-1, 2-frutofuranosides) or an alcohol-based tincture (containing a 5:1 concentration of the herb). Those who dislike the bitter taste of the liquids can take standardised extracts in pill form. Look for pills containing at least 3,5 percent echinacosides.
• Some commercial preparations combine echinacea with another immune-enhancing herb called goldenseal, but the combination can be very expensive. For many ailments, just plain echinacea works well, so you can skip the more costly mixtures.

LATEST FINDINGS
Scientists are investigating whether echinacea may also be helpful against cancer. In a recent study in Germany, a small group of patients with advanced colon cancer received echinacea along with standard chemotherapy. The herb appeared to prolong survival in these patients, presumably by boosting the immune systems' ability to fight cancer cells. Additionally research is needed to define the possible role of this herb in combating colon and other forms of cancer.

Did You Know?
Echinacea contains a substance which makes the lips and tongue tingle when taken in liquid form. If you use a liquid preparation, look for this effect - it’s often a good indication that you’ve bought a high-quality product.

Reference: Reader’s Digest “The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs”
ISBN 1-874912-63-7

Return To The Following Index Pages:

1. Fruit
2. Vegetables
3. Herbs & Spices
4. Vitamins & Minerals