I am writing in response to the article, "Study: Poplular herbal remedy useless against colds" in our local newspaper, The Press-Enterprise.
I was outraged when I read this article. It has been documented for some time that the echinacea strand augustifolia is not effective in treating colds. The government, most likely funded and backed by pharmaceutical companies, decided to do ANOTHER study on this particular herb species (spending vast amount of money, I am sure) to prove its uneffectiveness.
The problem? This is causing a major misconception in the public eye. When in fact, Echinacea purpurea is extremely effective in treating and prevention of the common cold. The purpurea species has been studied for thousand of years and has been clinically and medically documented to be proven effective.
Echinacea purpurea is known to strengthen the immune system for more body resistance to certain viruses such as the common cold.1 Also, it increases certain body processes making infected cells killed faster by the antibodies of the immune system. Also, Echinacea is known to stop bacteria in making a particular enzyme (protein) in the body that makes cells that are prone to becoming infected with disease. Since Echinacea may do this it could stop serious diseases giving it a more suitable title than just a mild antibiotic.
It has been shown to treat a variety of diseases and infections as an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, heals wounds preventing infection, anti-allergenic, detoxifier and is found to perhaps increase the immune system in time of need.
In fact, in recent studies (published in 2005), Purpurea has shown to increase the life expectancies of mice; where the average life expectancy was 10 months, 74% of the mice given echinacea purpurea lived past 13 months. (Biousseau M, Miller SC. 2005. Enhancement of natural killer cells and increased survival of aging mice fed daily Echinacea purpurea root extract from youth.)
Another study tested the inhibitory potential of Echinacea purpurea on the metabolice activity at the cellular level. This study showed inhibitory capicity was achieved and the intensity depended on the dosage given. (Yale SH, Glurich I.2005. Analysis of the Inhibitory Potential of Ginkgo Biloba, Echinacea purpurea, and Seronoa repens on the metabolic activity of cytochrome P450 3A4, 2D6, and 2C9.)
Yet another study done on pigs showed that this herb helped achieve an immune stimulating effect in pig production and increases feed-to-gain conversion. (Maass N, Bauer J, Paulicks BR, Bohmer BM, Roth-Maier DA. 2005. Efficiency of Echinacea purpurea on performance and immune status in pigs.)

So, before you decide to throw out your echinace pills, READ THE LABEL. If it contains echinacea purpurea, it is a safe and effective remedy against colds. Don't let wealthy pharmaceutical companies destroy our health supplement market. They are doing this to increase their own pocket books. Remember, they tried to bash vitamin E just a few months ago.

If you have other health supplement questions, feel free to email me at angiesworld123@aol.com.

Thanks for your time,
Angie Lustrick, CN

Echinacea: Healer or Hoax?

Herb's effectiveness called into question

by Sara Altshul

The news: Echinacea doesn't help ease or prevent colds. A recent University of Virginia study seems to shatter the herb's century-old reputation as a cold remedy.

Researchers gave 149 healthy volunteers 1.5 ml of Echinacea angustifolia three times a day before and after exposing them to a cold virus; 103 got a placebo. After 5 days, the echinacea takers were just as likely to have gotten a cold as those in the placebo group; their symptoms were the same and lasted just as long.

But the dose given was well below that recommended by World Health Organization guidelines. The WHO advises taking 2 to 5 ml three times daily to alleviate colds. Some experts also say other species of echinacea are more effective.

A 2004 study of 48 subjects revealed that adults who got 2.5 ml of Echinacea purpurea three times a day were 29% less likely to get sick than those who took a placebo.

We say continue taking the larger dose of echinacea at the first twinge of a cold. Although research is still conflicting, studies using the WHO-approved amount find that the herb does ease symptoms.

Echinacea is generally safe, but check with your doctor before taking it if you have an immune disorder.