Coughs, Colds &
Flu Research
Diet & Lifestyle
Echinacea
relieves the common cold
Researchers at the
Elisabeth Hospital, Wallingatan, Uppsala, Sweden have demonstrated
that Echinacea purpurea is effective in preventing and treating the
common cold, however, the quality the strength of the extract used
is vital(1).
Other studies have
shown that Echinacea purpurea did not have any noticeable effects
against the common cold, however this may be due to the quality of
the extracts used.(2)
Investigating the
efficacy and safety of different doses and preparations of Echinacea
purpurea in the treatment of common cold, the researchers monitored
246 of 559 healthy, adult volunteers who caught a common cold and
took 2 tablets of either Echinaforce (Echinacea purpurea-95% herb)
or
Echinacea purpurea concentrate (same preparation at 7 times higher
concentration) three times daily for a maximum of 7 days.
Echinaforce and its
concentrated preparation were found to be significantly more
effective than the special Echinacea extract or placebo and, with
all treatments, there were no adverse effects observed.
The study concluded
that Echinacea concentrate as well as Echinaforce represent a
low-risk, effective alternative to the standard symptomatic
medicines in the acute treatment of the common cold.
Source:
(1)Echinaforce
and other Echinacea fresh plant preparations in the treatment of the
common cold. Elisabeth Hospital, Wallingatan, Uppsala, Sweden.
Phytomedicine, 6:1-6, 1999 Mar
(2) Am J Med,
106:138-43, 1999 Feb
©
Internet Health Library 2000
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