Echinacea (eh-kin-AY-sha) commonly called purple coneflower is a native, three-foot-tall plant of the central United States. Even though there are nine species in the U.S., Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea are the most popular. Claims are that echinacea strengthens the immune system, decreases and treats upper respiratory distresses like colds and fights inflammation.
Snakeroot
The Plains Indians used echinacea extensively as a multipurpose cure-all, from snakebites to infections to toothaches. Their echinacea of choice was E. angustifolia as it grew mostly west of the Mississippi River. Herbalist Michael Tierra notes that pioneers, who learned of the herb while traveling through Native American land, called E. angustifolia prairie doctor or Kansas snakeroot. E.purpurea grew mostly east of the Mississippi and people called it Missouri snakeroot.
Eclectic Medicine, Germany, and Echinacea
Eclectic medicine was the huge herbal-medicine movement of the 19th century that united Native American herbs, homeopathic medicine and Western medicine of the time. Moreover, echinacea was a prominent herb of the new association. With the discovery of penicillin in 1928, echinacea use in America dwindled.
The Germans embraced the scientific study of echinacea and today through its governmental regulatory agency, Commission-E, recommends using the aerial parts (flowers, stem, and leaves) of E. purpurea for colds and more, but do not currently recommend E. angustifolia. Their research has found antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties in E. purpurea.
Sorting Out Echinacea Research
In a study reviewed in a 2004 HerbalGram (the Journal of the American Botanical Council), researchers found that liquid extract E. purpurea improved common cold symptoms faster than a placebo. Those taking the extract had the severity and duration of symptoms (like sore throat, sneezing, stuffy nose and runny nose) significantly lessened. Volunteers took a large dose on day one then reduced dosage for the ensuing week.
A 2005 study carried out by the University of Virginia School of Medicine found that E. angustifolia was not useful to prevent colds or reduce the time or harshness of colds. However, Cathy Wong, ND (naturopathic doctor) and nutritionist, has investigated the study and found experts criticized it in two ways: the study used the less-effective E. angustifolia roots, and the first day dosage amount and following doses were not sufficiently strong enough.
As reported in the June 2007 journal Lancet Infectious Diseases, researchers at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, upon reviewing 14 previous studies, found that people who took 3000 mg or more of E. purpurea had 58% fewer colds than a placebo-controlled group. In addition, cold duration while taking the herb was about 1½ days shorter and the herb reduced cold frequency throughout the year.
Echinacea Use
Many experts recommend taking echinacea only when you feel a cold coming on and others advocate taking it for two to four weeks at a time in the winter, stopping use for the same time period and then resume use following that pattern. Those allergic to plants in the daisy family such as ragweed and those with autoimmune diseases should not use echinacea.
Continuing Research on Echinacea
Researchers are continuing their studies on Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia. The Native Americans found many healthy uses for E. angustifolia while the latest research verifies E. purpurea as the beneficial species. Meanwhile, many people are convinced of echinacea’s worth by personal success with the herb.
This article is for educational purposes only. Always see a health care professional for medical advice.
Reference
Foster, Steven and Tyler, Varro E., Ph.D. Tyler’s Honest Herbal. New York: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
Tierra, Michael. The Way of Herbs. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc., 1998.
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