Echinacea is suggested to prevent the common cold or speed the recovery of an existing one. This medicinal plant is also purported to help the body fight infection by enhancing the immune system. The debate continues over whether echinacea delivers on its commonly advertised benefits. Check with your doctor before taking herbs to relieve symptoms, as they are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
History
Archeological digs suggest that the medicinal use of echinacea dates back at least four centuries, when Native Americans may have used the herb as a healing agent to treat wounds, infections and other ailments. More recently, echinacea was used to treat syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and other serious conditions, until antibiotics were developed in the 20th century.
Considerations
Echinacea is proven to contain flavonoids, plant-based compounds with antioxidant properties, and polysaccharides, substances known to boost the immune system; these substances may significantly contribute to its therapeutic effects. However, uncertainty remains over whether echinacea really helps prevent or treat the common cold. Dr. Brent Bauer, an internist with the Mayo Clinic, acknowledges that certain echinacea supplements appear to modestly ease symptoms and slightly shorten duration of a cold, but notes that recent studies about the supplement's benefits are not adequate.
Clinical Trials
An analysis of more than a dozen clinical trials, published in July 2007 in the journal "Lancet Infectious Diseases" found taking echinacea cut the odds of developing a cold by nearly 60 percent and the length of a cold by 1 to 4 days. Critics of this report charge that the analysis was flawed due to numerous weaknesses; one issue was the varying degrees of quality of echinacea products tested, which may have skewed the results.
Precautions/Outlook
Choose a high quality supplement if you decide to take echinacea for cold prevention or relief, or to boost your immunity. Echinacea doesn't typically cause side effects, but stomach upset and diarrhea are possible in rare cases; adverse reactions are more likely in allergy sufferers. Allergic reactions are also uncommon, but can run the gamut from a slight rash to a potentially fatal response called anaphylaxis, which may cause throat tightening, breathing problems and fainting. Additionally, echinacea may interact with medications. Consult with your doctor before taking echinacea or any herbal remedies.
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