Product Name :Echinacea Powder Extract
Specification: Polyphenol 4%
Country of Origin :China
Descripton
Echinacea was the most widely used medicinal plant of Plains Indian tribes, commonly used for colds, toothache, snakebite and other external wounds. Native Americans have used it for years in alternative medicine to support the immune system, and to purify the blood, especially during season changes and during the cold and flu seasons. In 1887, it was introduced into U.S. medical practice and was touted for use in diseases ranging from colds to syphilis. Its modern research started in the 1930s in Germany.
Function:The major active constituents of Echinacea Purpurea, phenolic compounds, caffeic acid derivatives and polysaccharides have the functions as below:
1. Immune System Stimulation
:Echinacea Purpurea extracts have been shown to stimulate the growth and activity of cells of the immune system (macrophages, natural killer cells, T-cells). 1 Echinacea Purpurea-treatment results in a significant increase in immune response to infection (assessed by immunoglobulin response). In test tube studies, macrophages are stimulated by Echinacea Purpurcea extract to produce significantly higher levels of interleukins (IL-1, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10) Stimulation of T-cell replication, natural killer cell activity, and numbers of macrophages and neutrophils have been noted in a number of studies of cellular immunity. Other manifest such as elevated levels of circulating neutrophils, improved leukocyte phagocytosis, and assisted antibody binding have been also been reported.
2. Prevention of Infections
Echinacea can also increase production of interferon, an important part of the body’s response to viral infections.2 Several double-blind studies have confirmed the benefit of echinacea for treating colds and flu. 3 4 5 6 7 In terms of other types of infections, research in Germany using injectable forms or an oral preparation of the herb reduced the recurrence of vaginal yeast infections.10 Evidence from at least a dozen clinical trials shows that echinacea is effective in either treating or preventing upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). In most cases, cold and flu symptoms resolve 1-4 days earlier in subjects taking echinacea extract when compared to those taking a placebo. Patients with AIDS and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome also showed relieved symptom after taking echinacea extract.The prevention of Echinacea to infection by bacteria and viruses may be results of both immune system stimulation and direct inhibition.
Safety:When taken as directed, little or no toxicity is associated with acute echinacea extract use. Pregnant or nursing women should consult health care provider before using it. Kidney disease patients should restrict usage to a week (maximum).
Dosage:
At the onset of a cold or flu, 3–4 ml of echinacea in a liquid preparation or 300 mg of a powdered form in capsule or tablet, can be taken every two hours for the first day of illness, then three times per day for a total of 7 to 10 days.
Chemistry:
This product is composed of Chicoric acid mainly. The structural formula is followed:
Choric acid C22H18O12
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2. Binns SE, Purgina B, Bergeron C, Smith ML, Ball L, Baum BR, Arnason JT. Light-mediated antifungal activity of Echinacea extracts. Planta Med. 2000 Apr;66(3):241-4.
3. Giles JT, Palat CT 3rd, Chien SH, Chang ZG, Kennedy DT. Evaluation of echinacea for treatment of the common cold. Pharmacotherapy. 2000 Jun;20(6):690-0-7. 7. Gunning K. Echinacea in the treatment and prevention of upper respiratory tract infections. West J Med. 1999 Sep;171(3):198-200.
4. Henneicke-von Zepelin H, Hentschel C, Schnitker J, Kohnen R, Kohler G, Wustenberg P. Efficacy and safety of a fixed combination phytomedicine in the treatment of the common cold (acute viral respiratory tract infection): results of a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, multicentre study. Curr Med Res Opin. 1999;15(3):214-27.
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8. Rininger JA, Kickner S, Chigurupati P, McLean A, Franck Z. Immunopharmacological activity of Echinacea preparations following simulated digestion on murine macrophages and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. J Leukoc Biol. 2000 Oct;68(4):503-10.
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11. Leuttig B, Steinmuller C, Gifford GE, et al. Macrophage activation by the polysaccharide arabinogalactan isolated from plant cell cultures of Echinacea purpurea. J Natl Cancer Inst 1989;81:669–75.
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17. Coeugniet E, Kuhnast R. Recurrent candidiasis. Adjuvant immunotherapy with different formulations of Echinacea. Therapiwoche 1986;36:3352–8 [in German].
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