The Primary Immune Herb of Choice

Echinacea, the purple coneflower, is the best known and researched herb for stimulating the immune system. Countless Europeans and Americans use echinacea preparations against colds and flu, minor infections, and a host of other major and minor ailments.
This native American herb has an impressive record of laboratory and clinical research. Thousands of doctors currently use echinacea for treating infectious diseases, particularly in Germany, where medical doctors appear to be more enlightened than doctors in the Southern Hemisphere with regards to the efficacy of herbal medicines. It makes sense, Dr. Vogel introduced Echinacea into Switzerland in the mid 1950's, and was the first physician to start using and recommending this amazing herb to his patients.

Echinacea has become extremely popular in Germany, where it has been a highly-prized herbal preparation ever since: in 1990, an Echinacea product ranked 131st on the list of the 2,000 most-prescribed drugs in Germany. Today, there are over 250 medicinal products sold in Germany which contain Echinacea as an important ingredient, and each year the United States ships about 25 tons of echinacea to European markets alone.

Scientific studies find that Echinacea really works to fight infections
High-quality German research in 1989 suggested that Echinacea really could help fight infections. In a double-blind,placebo controlled study of 180 people, researchers determined that four 'droppersful' (from a standard medicine dropper) of Echinacea extract per day were significantly better than a placebo preparation at relieving the symptoms and duration of influenza ¹. However - not all echinacea is created equal. To get the best results you need to use a premium quality "standardised" extract. This means that you are getting a therapeutically active dosage each time you take the medicine.

In another human study, 108 people who suffered from fairly frequent upper-respiratory tract infections (including ear infections, sinusitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis and laryngitis) were given either Echinacea or a placebo over an eight-week period. The Echinacea was administered in 4ml twice-daily for eight weeks. In comparison with the control group, the Echinacea group suffered significantly fewer infections. In addition, the time between infections was lengthened, the duration of illness was shortened and the severity of symptoms reduced ². The Echinacea formulation seemed to be most helpful to individuals with lowered T4/T8 immune cell ratios (T4 cells spur the immune system to activity, while T8 cells tell it to chill out).
A good deal of research carried out with laboratory animals and cell cultures suggests that Echinacea works as an immune-system booster. However, before you invest in a bottle of echinacea, it's important to remember that not all Echinacea products are the same. In fact, as the highly esteemed Dr Rudolph Bauer, professor of pharmaceutical biology at the University of Dusseldorf in Germany, points out, the Echinacea you end up buying to lessen the effects of your common cold or infection may not be the same as the form of Echinacea which has actually been found to be effective for those purposes in carefully controlled scientific research ³.

It is for this reason and several more that I now recommend Echinaforce, Dr. Vogel's original Echinacea fresh plant preparation for my patients.
I first started to use Echinacea in the late 1980's after I started to experience it's true healing power when I was in the student clinic at the Australian College of Natural Medicine. I went on to grow and process my own echinacea after talking with echinacea pioneers in Australia, including Ray Vandersee, from Greenridge Herbals. Associate Professor Kerry Bone from Mediherb and Phil Rasmussen from Phytomed are other professional herbalists I have much respect for in the Australasian herbal medicine industry, and Phil's herbs are the ones I primarily now use in my NZ herbal formulae. You can read more about my unique formulations in the Members section.

Main Uses of Echinacea Include:

• Colds, coughs and flu and other upper respiratory conditions
• Enlarged lymph glands, sore throat
• Urinary tract infections
• Other minor infections
• May help combat herpes and candida
• Wounds, skin regeneration and skin infections (external use)
• Psoriasis, eczema and inflammatory skin conditions (external use)
• For studies regarding these uses, please refer to references 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11

Benefits of Using Echinacea

Echinacea increases the "non-specific" activity of the immune system. In other words, unlike a vaccine which is active only against a specific disease, echinacea stimulates the overall activity of the cells responsible for fighting all kinds of infection. Unlike antibiotics, which are directly lethal to bacteria, echinacea makes your own immune cells more efficient in attacking bacteria, viruses and abnormal cells, including cancer cells.
Echinacea facilitates wound healing, lessens symptoms of and speeds recovery from viruses. Anti-inflammatory effects make it useful externally against inflammatory skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema. It may also increase resistance to candida, bronchitis, herpes, and other infectious conditions. What an amazing herb!

Cautions Using Echinacea

With long-term use, echinacea appears to lose effectiveness. For this reason, I recommend maximum periods of continuous use: 6 - 8 weeks. Echinacea is not a substitute for other medical interventions in rapidly accelerating infections. If the condition persists or worsens, you need to seek medical advice. Many serious medical conditions are not appropriate for self-diagnosis or self-medication and require the supervision of qualified health care professionals. Please use caution when practicing self-care - if symptoms persist you will need to see a professional.

Safety

Echinacea has an excellent safety record and is very well tolerated by most people. There is no known toxicity. Echinacea should not be used ¹⁰ in progressive systemic and auto-immune disorders such as tuberculosis, leicosis, connective tissue disorders, collagenosis and related diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), SLE (lupus) RA  (rheumatoid arthritis) and AIDS or HIV infections. reference: Echinaceae in ESCOP Monograph 2nd Edition page 129-136 (2003), German Kommission E. The use of echinacea in AIDS or opportunistic infections in AIDS patients is controversial.

Echinaforce Original Echinacea

I now recommend Echinaforce from Dr. Alfred Vogel as the one true and time tested Echinacea product because it is the original and the best. Vogel was the first person to bring Echinacea from North America to Switzerland in the 1950's. The rest is history, and Echinacea as we know it today owes its widespread use to Dr. Vogel. Although Echinacea is used for the relief of symptoms of common cold and flu and helps support the immune system, in addition it may assist externally with the treatment of boils and abscesses. Read more about Dr. A. Vogel, the echinacea pioneer here.

Free From: Added sugar, salt, yeast, gluten, starch, wheat, corn, nut, milk derivatives, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colours and flavours. No animal by-products.
Herbal Plant Medicine Product of Switzerland No pesticides, insecticides, fungicides or chemical fertilisers. The fresh echinacea plants are harvested at their prime and processed within 24 hours. GMO-GE Free No animal testing Non-habit forming Certified Kosher product.Suitable for vegans

Dosage Internally:

Adults and children 12 years and over: Take 25 drops in 50mL of water, 3-5 times daily, 30 minutes before meals. 44 Days supply if taken as directed.
Children 4 to 11 years: Give 10 drops in 50mL of water, 3-5 times daily, 30 minutes before meals, or as directed by us. 44 Days supply if taken as directed.

Using Externally:

Adults and children: Neat or diluted, apply liberally to affected areas of the skin. Use on boils or abscesses.
Toothpaste - You may also be interested in Dr. Vogel's Echinacea Toothpaste, a great product for gingivitis or gum issues.

Always read the label. Use as directed. Keep out reach of children.Not recommended during pregnancy or breast feeding.If symptoms persist, see your health care professional. If ring at the bottom of cap is missing, broken or separate do not use. Therapeutic Goods Act 2003

Contains Ethanol (Alcohol)
Not to be used in children under two years of age without professional advice.
If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare practitioner.
Therapeutic Goods Code 2007
Interactions: Warfarin, Immuno-suppressant medications
The tingling effect in the mouth is due the active component in Echinacea.
Active Ingredient: Each 757mcL dose (25 drops) contains herbal extracts equivalent to:

• Echinacea purpurea -  (Echinacea) fresh herb      257.3mg
• Echinacea purpurea - (Echinacea) fresh root        13.2mg

References

1. Jurcic K, Melchart D, Holzmann M, et al. Two proband studies for the stimulation of granulocyte phagocytosis through Echinacea extract-containing preparations [in German]. Zeitschrift fur Phytotherapie 1989; 10: 67-70.
2. Braunig B, Dort M, Limburg E, et al. Echinacea purpureae radix for strengthening the immune response in flu-like infections [in German]. Zeitschrift fur Phytotherapie 1992; 13: 7-13.
3. Bauer R. Echinacea: biological effects and active principles. In: Lawson LD, Bauer R, eds. Phytomedicines of Europe. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society, 1998; 141-157.
4. Viehmann VP. Experiences with a skin salve containing Echinacea [in German] Exfahrungsheilk 1978; 27:353-358.
5. Coeugniet E, Kuhnast R. Relapsing candidiasis: adjuvant immune therapy with different Echinacin dosage forms [in German]. Therapiewoche 1986; 36:  3352-3358  3352-3358 .
6. Facino RM, Carini M, Aldini G, et al. Echinacoside and caffeoyl conjugates protect collagen from free radical-induced degradation: a potential use of Echinacea extracts in the prevention of skin photodamage. Planta Medica 1995; 61(6): 510-514.
7. Melchart D, Waltjher E, Linde K, et al. Echinacea root extracts for the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections. Archives of Family Medicine 1998; 7:L 541-545.
8. Hoheisel O, Sandberg M, Bertram S, et al. Echinagard treatment shortens the course of the common cold: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. European Journal of Clinical Research 1997; 9: 261-268.
9. Bleuenthal M, Busse W, Goldberg A, et al., eds. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Austin, TX: The American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medical Communications, 1998.
10. 10. Bone K. Echinacea: when should it be used? European Journal of Herbal Medicine 1998; 3(3): 13-17.
11. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, et al., eds. American Herbal Products Association Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997