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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
References
1.
Abdullah T. A strategic call to utilize Echinacea-garlic in flu-cold
seasons. J Natl Med Assoc. 2000 Jan;92(1):48-51.
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.
5. Kim HO, Durance TD, Scaman CH, Kitts DD. Retention of caffeic acid
derivatives in dried echinacea purpurea. J Agric Food Chem. 2000
Sep;48(9):4182-6.
6. Lindenmuth GF, Lindenmuth EB. 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.
7. Melchart D, Linde K, Fischer P, Kaesmayr J. Echinacea for preventing
and treating the common cold. Cochrane DatabaseSyst Rev.
2000;(2):CD000530.
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.
9. Wustenberg P, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH, Kohler G, Stammwitz U. Efficacy
and mode of action of an immunomodulator herbal preparation containing
Echinacea, wild indigo, and white cedar. Adv Ther. 1999
Jan-Feb;16(1):51-70.
10.
See DM, Broumand N, Sahl L, Tilles JG. In vitro effects of echinacea and
ginseng on natural killer and antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity in
healthy subjects and chronic fatigue syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome patients. Immunpharmacol 1997;35:229–35.
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.
12. Melchart D, Linde K, Worku F, et al. Immunomodulation with
Echinacea—a systematic review of controlled clinical trials.
Phytomedicine 1994;1:245–54.
13. Dorn M, Knick E, Lewith G. Placebo-controlled, double-blind study of
Echinacea pallida redix in upper respiratory tract infections. Comp Ther
Med 1997;5:40–2.
14. Hoheisel O, Sandberg M, Bertram S, et al. Echinacea shortens the
course of the common cold: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical
trial. Eur J Clin Res 1997;9:261–8.
15. Braunig B, Dorn M, Knick E. Echinacea purpurea root for strengthening
the immune response to flu-like infections. Zeitschrift Phytotherapie
1992;13:7–13.
16. Brikenborn RM, Shah DV, Degenring FH. Echinaforce® and other
Echinacea fresh plant preparations in the treatment of the common cold.
Arandomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial.
Phytomedicine 1999;6:1–5.
17. Coeugniet E, Kuhnast R. Recurrent candidiasis. Adjuvant immunotherapy
with different formulations of Echinacea. Therapiwoche 1986;36:3352–8
[in German].
18.
Brown DJ. Herbal Prescriptions for Better Health. Rocklin, CA: Prima
Publishing, 1996, 63–8.
19.
Mullins RJ. Echinacea-associated anaphylaxis. Med J Austral
1998;168:170–1.
20.
Gallo M, Sarkar M, Au W, et al. Pregnancy outcome following gestational
exposure to echinacea. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:3141–3.
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