Echinacea and goldenseal are both used in traditional medicine to boost your immune system against viral illnesses like colds and the flu, and some health experts claim that taking them together is more effective than either alone. While popular, scientific evidence does not support the efficacy of these herbs for viral illnesses, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Check with a doctor before trying Echinacea and goldenseal.
Research
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has funded studies on both of these herbs. Three NCCAM-funded trials on Echinacea show no benefit for using this herb to treat or prevent colds. Goldenseal is not as well studied. As of July 2010, NCCAM was funding development of research-grade goldenseal for use in clinical studies. There is little scientific evidence to support using goldenseal for fighting colds or flu or any other purpose, according to NCCAM.
Theories and Popularity
Using these herbs together purportedly stimulates your immune system to activate more white blood cells, according to "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Natural Remedies," by health journalist Chrystle Fiedler. Goldenseal is meant to complement Echinacea by decreasing congestion and mucous production, notes "Better Nutrition" magazine. Despite lack of strong scientific evidence to back its use, Echinacea is one of the most commonly used herbs in America, according to NCCAM. Germany's commission E, that country's regulatory body for herbs, approves Echinacea for upper respiratory tract infections. Goldenseal, meanwhile, has a long tradition of use. It was once popular among Native Americans.
Properties
Both Echinacea and goldenseal do have compounds that may be beneficial for treating infections. The compound found in goldenseal is an alkaloid called berberine. While scientific research on berberine does suggest it is beneficial, goldenseal preparations have only small amounts of this substance, according to NCCAM. That means you cannot necessarily associate the evidence supporting berberine's effectiveness to goldenseal. Meanwhile, a 2008 scientific review in "Planta Medica" notes that Echinacea supplements often differ in their composition because different species, extraction methods and plant parts are used to create them. Echinacea has numerous active constituents including the alkaloids isotussilagine and tussilagine, the glycoside echinacoside and the terpenoid germacrane.
Considerations
Echinacea products often are mislabeled and sometimes don't contain this herb at all, notes MedlinePlus. There's also a lack of standardization between batches. According to Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center, an analysis of 59 brand-name products reveals that 48 percent do not actually contain Echinacea and 10 percent have no measurable Echinacea.
You should not take Echinacea or goldenseal products for more than two weeks consecutively, according to "Better Nutrition" magazine. Also avoid goldenseal if you have high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or are pregnant or nursing. Goldenseal's most common side effect is gastrointestinal complaints. Avoid Echinacea if you have an autoimmune disorder like systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis, a progressive collagenous disorder, HIV, AIDS or tuberculosis. Common side effects from this herb include nausea, headaches, constipation, dizziness, rashes and mild pain in the upper middle region of your abdomen. If you are pregnant or nursing, avoid echinacea because not enough is known about its safety during these conditions, advise the experts at MedlinePlus. If you take medicine consult your doctor about drug interactions.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Clinical Digest -- Colds and Flu and CAM; January 2011
- National Center for Complementary Medicine: Goldenseal; July 2010
- "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Natural Remedies"; Chrystle Fiedler; 2009
- "Planta Medica"; Echinacea for Preventing and Treating the Common Cold; K. Woelkart, et al.; May 2008
- "Better Nutrition" magazine; Cold War; Brenda Adderly; October 2000
- MedlinePlus: Echniacea; March 2011
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