Echinacea

High-Protein Diet Slideshow

What does Echinacea do?

Echinacea is a medicinal herb that some people take to boost their immune system. It has been considered especially helpful in cases of colds, flu, and chronic upper respiratory and urinary infections. Externally, it has been used to encourage healing of wounds, burns and ulcerations. It can be taken in capsules, pills, teas, tinctures, and externally as a poultice or ointment. Three varieties of echinacea are commonly sold. They are echinacea purpurea, echinacea angustifolia, and echinacea pallida. A composition of these (Echinacea spp. Compositae) is also available on the market. It is usually advisable to purchase a standardized version of one of these unless buying the raw herb.

Should my health care professional be advised before I take Echinacea?

They should be consulted first if you have any of these conditions, as echinacea usage may be contraindicated: Tuberculosis AIDS or AIDS related illnesses Multiple Sclerosis Leucosis Collangenis Diabetes Any Autoimmune disorder If you are currently taking anabolic steroids, amiodarone, methotrexate, or ketoconazole (May interact with echinacea) A tendency towards allergic reactions to other medicines, herbs (especially from the composite family), foods, dyes, or preservatives

Are there other times my health care professional needs to be advised before I take Echinacea?

They should be consulted first if you are: Pregnant or trying to get pregnant Breast-feeding Planning on administering to a child

How should I take this herb?

Take echinacea capsules or tablets by mouth. Swallow the capsules with a large drink of water. For the best bioavailability and if you have a sensitive stomach, it is often recommended that you take echinacea as a tincture, infusion, or tea. You can take echinacea with or without food. Do not take echinacea for a period longer than 8 weeks, 3 weeks if for parenteral usage. Externally, echinacea can be applied as a poultice, ointment, lotion, or tincture.

What should the dosage be? It is usually recommended that the daily dosage for an adult should be 6-9 ml of the expressed juice, 1.5 to 7.5 ml of a tincture, or 2 to 5 grams of the dried root. In capsules or tablets the usual dosage is 6.5:1 or 3.5% echinacoside at 150 to 300mg 3x/day.

What other medicines may interact with echinacea?

anabolic steroids amiodarone methotrexate ketoconazole

What side effects may I notice from taking Echinacea?

Side effects from correctly administered echinacea usage are thought to be rare. If you experience any of these side effects, stop usage immediately and report them to your health care professional. Fevers (short term) Nausea Vomiting Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (stop usage and report it to your health care professional if they are continuing or bothersome): May cause slight tingling of the tongue. May cause sore throat.

What do I need to watch out for with echinacea?

Read labels carefully before purchasing . There have been reported cases of herbal products being sold as echinacea that were not in fact this herb. This practice is called "substitution". Buying a standardized product when purchasing tinctures, capsule, or tablets may reduce the possibility of this occurrence. Look also for products that are clearly labeled with the ingredients contained and amounts.

Where can I keep my herbal product?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30°C (59 and 86°F). The raw herb, tinctures or infusions should be stored in airtight, dry, and light resistant containers. If there is an expiration date listed on the herbal product, throw away the unused portion after the expiration date. Raw herbs, tinctures, ointments, etc all have varying life spans. Generally, an herbal product will have the longest life span when it has been extracted in alcohol.

Can you tell me a little more about echinacea?

Echinacea is a hardy perennial plant that grows 1-2 feet tall and has a spiny appearance from which it derived its name (echinos being Greek for sea urchin or hedgehog). It is a member of the daisy family and its flowers can resemble Black-eyed Susans with rich purple petals radiating from the center. Echinacea's history of usage in the United States dates to pre-colonial times. Today in America it is still a very popular herb, generating more than $300 million in sales annually The German Commission E (A well respected German Institute for the regulation and approval of Drugs and Medical Devices) has only approved Echinacea Pallida and Echinacea Purpurea and then in limited scope. However, there is wide spread usage of the three popular varieties. Active Ingredients present differ slightly in each variety. The active ingredients effect the therapeutic value of the plant.

What are the actions that have been associated with the herb?

Generally, Echinacea is thought to create activity in the immune system by stimulating T-cell production, phagocytosis, lymphocytic activity, cellular respiration, activity against tumor cells (thought it's application is debatable) and inhibiting hyalurinadase enzyme secretion. Its natural antibiotic (echinacoside) is said to be comparable to penicillin in its broad-spectrum affects however there are questions as to whether there is enough present in the herb to have a significant effect. It may inhibit a broad range of viruses, protozoa, bacteria, and fungi. Echinacea contains echinacein that seems to counteract the enzyme hyaluronidase which microbes produce to penetrate tissues and cause infection. It is has been demonstrated in clinical studies to be effective in decreasing the frequency and severity of colds and the flu.

Copyright 1999 RxList