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health advisory Hospital Alternative Medicine 2007-11-16 3:12:31

Echinacea is very popular with health practitioners and the public, but scientific evidence continues to be ambiguous. On the whole, though, the results appear positive. A recent scientific article puts the evidence in perspective. A 2000 study in Pharmacotherapy evaluated the existing scientific literature on echinacea. Twelve clinical studies published from 1961-1997 concluded that echinacea was efficacious for treating the common cold. And out of five trials published since 1997, three concluded that it was effective in reducing the frequency, duration and severity of common cold symptoms. According to the article, echinacea appears to be safe. The authors state that "patients without contraindications to it may not be dissuaded from using an appropriate preparation to treat the common cold."

Another recent study, out of Sweden, published in late 1999, shows Echinacea to counteract the immuno-suppressant effect of exercise in triatheletes, to effectively reduce cold symptoms by 34% and to produce a 13-35% reduction in "complaint index".

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Perfectly safe if you don't exceed recommended doesage - it helps prevent common colds and flu - just helps though doesn't prevent. I have it with raspberries - honestly.

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It's a herbal medicice. My wife absolutely swears by it. She has a little bottle and puts about 8 drops of the stuff into a glass of juice to keep away colds and whatever. We also give it to our 4 yr old son (in smaller amounts).

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All I know is that it's herbal medicine and my partner used to use it during the winter months for cold and flu prevention. It's supposed to be good stuff.