According to NCCAM, there are nine known species of echinacea, all of which are native to
the United States and southern Canada. The most commonly used, Echinacea purpurea 紫
花松 果菊, is believed to offer the most health benefits. The common names include
echinacea, purple coneflower, coneflower, American coneflower.
What are the health benefits of echinacea? Echinacea has traditionally been used to treat
or prevent colds, flu and other infections. Echinacea is believed to stimulate the immune
system to help fight infections. Echinacea is thought to benefit people suffered from skin
issues, such as acene or boils, and wounds. [NCCAM]
How is echinacea used? The aboveground parts and roots of echinacea are used fresh or
dried to make teas, squeezed (expressed) juice, extracts, or preparations for external use.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF ECHINACEA? -- based on
research findings?..
Immunomodulatory Effect
Goel et al studied the immunomodulatory effects of preparations of Echinacea containing
cichoric acid, polysaccharides and alkylamides at different concentrations on male
Sprague-Dawley rats. They found that Echinacea preparations are effective in stimulating
an in vivo, non-specific immune rsponse, such as increased release of cytokines, only
when cichoric acid, polysaccharides and alkylamides at certain concentrations. [Echinacea
stimulates macrophage function in the lung and spleen of normal rats. Goel et al,
University of Alberta, Canada. J Nutr Biochem. 2002 Aug;13(8):487.
O'Neill et al also concluded that Echinacea effectively stimulates immunocompetence, and
the Echinacea extract improves the quality of blood by increasing haemoglobin levels and
the number of erthrocytes from their studies on eight horses. [ Immunological and
haematinic consequences of feeding a standardized Echinacea extract to healthy horses.
O'Neill et al, Equine Research Centre, Canada, Equine Vet J. 2002 May;34(3):222-7.
HEALTH BENEFITS ON COMMON COLD, RHINOVIRUS INFECTIONS SAFETY AND SIDE
EFFECTS OF ECHINACEA
Common colds are one of the most fequent acute illnesses and Echinaceae purpureae
herba has shown promising results in the relief of common cold symptoms and
shortening the duration for improvement. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
clinical trial of 80 adult patients with first signs of a cold has shown that echinacea
supplement was effective in alleviating symptoms more rapidly than placebo. The
researchers also observed that echinacea supplements were well-tolerated in the study. [8]
Furthermore, a few more studies also concluded that Echinacea effectively reduced the
symptoms and duration of the common cold. [9] Echinacea appeared to be safe and no
serious side effects were shown up in these studies. [9, 10]
However, Yale et al. failed to replicate such benefits using 100 mg of freeze-dried pressed
juice from the aerial portion of the echinacea purpurea. [7] Turner RB et al also failed to
repicate the findings in experimental rhinovirus infections. [1] In the study, Turner utilized
three doses of about 300 milligrams of the dried powdered echinacea root. [2]
The American Botanical Council (ABC), has pointed out that:
{1} the extracts used were made in a university laboratory are different to commercial
echinacea products. (2), the dosages used in this trial were also too low. According to
ABC, various international monographs have acknowledged the generally higher dose
used for echinacea root products. The World Health Organization (WHO) monograph for
Echinacea root (“Radix Echniaceae”) has a dosage for Echinacea angustifolia root at the
equivalence of 3 gm per day of the dried root. [3] This same dosage is also acknowledged
in the more recently developed draft monographs on Echinacea from the Canadian Natural
Health Products Directorate. [4] This dosage level is about 330% higher than the dosage of
the echinacea preparations given in the Turner's trial.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF ECHINACEA?
When taken by mouth, echinacea usually does not cause side effects. However, some
people experience allergic reactions, including rashes, increased asthma, and
anaphylaxis. In clinical trials, gastrointestinal side effects were most common. [NCCAM]
People are more likely to experience allergic reactions to echinacea if they are allergic to
related plants in the daisy family, which includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds,
and daisies. Also, people with asthma or atopy may be more likely to have an allergic
reaction when taking echinacea. [NCCAM]
Jerald C. Foote, assistant professor at University of Arkansas reported intake of echinacea
supplements linked to increased amounts of certain bacteria. such as Bacteroides fragilis
in the gastrointestinal tract. The increase in amount of Bacteroides fragilis may contribute
to inflammatory bowel disease and diarrhea. [X1]
References
1. Turner RB, Bauer R, Woelkart K, Hulsey TC, Gangemi DJ. An evaluation of Echinacea angustifolia
preparations in experimental rhinovirus infections. N Engl J Med 2005;353:341-348. 2. Blumenthal M,
Busse WR, Goldberg A, Hall T, Riggins CW, Rister RS, eds. Klein S, Rister RS, trans. The Complete
German Commission E Monographs – Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston: Integrative
Medicine Communications; Austin, TX: American Botanical Council, 1998. 3. Echinacea Radix. In:
WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1999. 4. Ehinacea.
Natural Health Products Directorate. Health Canada. Draft Jan 2004. 5. Blumenthal M. Herb sales down
7.4 percent in mainstream market. HerbalGram 2005;66:63. 6. Echinacea. In: Blumenthal M, Hall T,
Goldberg A, Kunz T, Dinda K, Brinckmann J, et al, eds. The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. Austin, TX:
American Botanical Council, 2003. [7] Echinacea purpurea therapy for the treatment of the common
cold: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Yale et al, Marshfield Clinic, USA.
Arch Intern Med. 2004 Jun 14; 164(11):1237-41. [8] Schulten B et al, Efficacy of Euchinacea purpurea
in patients with a common cold. A placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind clinical trial.
Arzneimittelforschung. 2001;51(7):563-8. [9] Lindenmuth GF et al, The efficacy of echinacea compound
herbal tea preparation on the severity and duration of upper respiratory and flu symptoms: a randomized,
double-blind placebo-controlled study. J Altern Complement Med. 2000 Aug;6(4):327-34. [10] Giles JT
et al, Evaluation of echinacea for tratment of the common cold, Pharmacotherapy; 2000 Jun;20(6):690-
7. Herbal Science Group Says Dosage Too Low in New Echinacea Trial, citizens. org Aug 9, 2005
[NCCAM] NCCAM Publication No D271 July 2005. [x1] Study connects echinacea, tract bacteria AP
December 20, 2006.
the United States and southern Canada. The most commonly used, Echinacea purpurea 紫
花松 果菊, is believed to offer the most health benefits. The common names include
echinacea, purple coneflower, coneflower, American coneflower.
What are the health benefits of echinacea? Echinacea has traditionally been used to treat
or prevent colds, flu and other infections. Echinacea is believed to stimulate the immune
system to help fight infections. Echinacea is thought to benefit people suffered from skin
issues, such as acene or boils, and wounds. [NCCAM]
How is echinacea used? The aboveground parts and roots of echinacea are used fresh or
dried to make teas, squeezed (expressed) juice, extracts, or preparations for external use.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF ECHINACEA? -- based on
research findings?..
Immunomodulatory Effect
Goel et al studied the immunomodulatory effects of preparations of Echinacea containing
cichoric acid, polysaccharides and alkylamides at different concentrations on male
Sprague-Dawley rats. They found that Echinacea preparations are effective in stimulating
an in vivo, non-specific immune rsponse, such as increased release of cytokines, only
when cichoric acid, polysaccharides and alkylamides at certain concentrations. [Echinacea
stimulates macrophage function in the lung and spleen of normal rats. Goel et al,
University of Alberta, Canada. J Nutr Biochem. 2002 Aug;13(8):487.
O'Neill et al also concluded that Echinacea effectively stimulates immunocompetence, and
the Echinacea extract improves the quality of blood by increasing haemoglobin levels and
the number of erthrocytes from their studies on eight horses. [ Immunological and
haematinic consequences of feeding a standardized Echinacea extract to healthy horses.
O'Neill et al, Equine Research Centre, Canada, Equine Vet J. 2002 May;34(3):222-7.
HEALTH BENEFITS ON COMMON COLD, RHINOVIRUS INFECTIONS SAFETY AND SIDE
EFFECTS OF ECHINACEA
Common colds are one of the most fequent acute illnesses and Echinaceae purpureae
herba has shown promising results in the relief of common cold symptoms and
shortening the duration for improvement. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
clinical trial of 80 adult patients with first signs of a cold has shown that echinacea
supplement was effective in alleviating symptoms more rapidly than placebo. The
researchers also observed that echinacea supplements were well-tolerated in the study. [8]
Furthermore, a few more studies also concluded that Echinacea effectively reduced the
symptoms and duration of the common cold. [9] Echinacea appeared to be safe and no
serious side effects were shown up in these studies. [9, 10]
However, Yale et al. failed to replicate such benefits using 100 mg of freeze-dried pressed
juice from the aerial portion of the echinacea purpurea. [7] Turner RB et al also failed to
repicate the findings in experimental rhinovirus infections. [1] In the study, Turner utilized
three doses of about 300 milligrams of the dried powdered echinacea root. [2]
The American Botanical Council (ABC), has pointed out that:
{1} the extracts used were made in a university laboratory are different to commercial
echinacea products. (2), the dosages used in this trial were also too low. According to
ABC, various international monographs have acknowledged the generally higher dose
used for echinacea root products. The World Health Organization (WHO) monograph for
Echinacea root (“Radix Echniaceae”) has a dosage for Echinacea angustifolia root at the
equivalence of 3 gm per day of the dried root. [3] This same dosage is also acknowledged
in the more recently developed draft monographs on Echinacea from the Canadian Natural
Health Products Directorate. [4] This dosage level is about 330% higher than the dosage of
the echinacea preparations given in the Turner's trial.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF ECHINACEA?
When taken by mouth, echinacea usually does not cause side effects. However, some
people experience allergic reactions, including rashes, increased asthma, and
anaphylaxis. In clinical trials, gastrointestinal side effects were most common. [NCCAM]
People are more likely to experience allergic reactions to echinacea if they are allergic to
related plants in the daisy family, which includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds,
and daisies. Also, people with asthma or atopy may be more likely to have an allergic
reaction when taking echinacea. [NCCAM]
Jerald C. Foote, assistant professor at University of Arkansas reported intake of echinacea
supplements linked to increased amounts of certain bacteria. such as Bacteroides fragilis
in the gastrointestinal tract. The increase in amount of Bacteroides fragilis may contribute
to inflammatory bowel disease and diarrhea. [X1]
References
1. Turner RB, Bauer R, Woelkart K, Hulsey TC, Gangemi DJ. An evaluation of Echinacea angustifolia
preparations in experimental rhinovirus infections. N Engl J Med 2005;353:341-348. 2. Blumenthal M,
Busse WR, Goldberg A, Hall T, Riggins CW, Rister RS, eds. Klein S, Rister RS, trans. The Complete
German Commission E Monographs – Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston: Integrative
Medicine Communications; Austin, TX: American Botanical Council, 1998. 3. Echinacea Radix. In:
WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1999. 4. Ehinacea.
Natural Health Products Directorate. Health Canada. Draft Jan 2004. 5. Blumenthal M. Herb sales down
7.4 percent in mainstream market. HerbalGram 2005;66:63. 6. Echinacea. In: Blumenthal M, Hall T,
Goldberg A, Kunz T, Dinda K, Brinckmann J, et al, eds. The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. Austin, TX:
American Botanical Council, 2003. [7] Echinacea purpurea therapy for the treatment of the common
cold: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Yale et al, Marshfield Clinic, USA.
Arch Intern Med. 2004 Jun 14; 164(11):1237-41. [8] Schulten B et al, Efficacy of Euchinacea purpurea
in patients with a common cold. A placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind clinical trial.
Arzneimittelforschung. 2001;51(7):563-8. [9] Lindenmuth GF et al, The efficacy of echinacea compound
herbal tea preparation on the severity and duration of upper respiratory and flu symptoms: a randomized,
double-blind placebo-controlled study. J Altern Complement Med. 2000 Aug;6(4):327-34. [10] Giles JT
et al, Evaluation of echinacea for tratment of the common cold, Pharmacotherapy; 2000 Jun;20(6):690-
7. Herbal Science Group Says Dosage Too Low in New Echinacea Trial, citizens. org Aug 9, 2005
[NCCAM] NCCAM Publication No D271 July 2005. [x1] Study connects echinacea, tract bacteria AP
December 20, 2006.
| ECHINACEA BENEFITS SIDE EFFECTS |
| Echinacea is extremely popular in the United States. Echinacea ranked second in sales in mainstream market retail stores in 2004. [5] Echinacea (the purple coneflower) has been used for hundreds of years as an immune stimulant and general anti viral and bacterial aid . And, it may have benefits on indigestion. |
 |  |  |  |
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Acetyl-L Carnitine
Acidophilus
Bladderwrack
Bilberry
Chromium
CLA
Cod Liver Oil
Coenzyme Q
Colostrum
Dandelion
EGCG
Echinacea
Eleuthero
Ellagic Acid
Eve. Primrose Oil
Fish Oil
Flaxseed
Garlic
Ginger
Ginseng
Ginkgo Biloba
Glucosamine
Gotu Kola
Guar Gum
Hyaluronic acid
Lecithin
Lycopene
Milk Thistle
Nattokinase
Passion Flower
Probiotics
Policosanol /
Polycosanol
Pycnogenol
Reishi / Lingzhi
Resveratrol
Rhodiola
Royal Jelly
Stevia
Whey
Xylitol
More Supplements
THIS WEBSITE TALKS ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS AND THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF HERBS, SUPPLEMENTS,
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES.
ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES.
ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
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