Natural Herbal Remedies: a plant or plant part or an extract or mixture of these used to prevent, alleviate, or cure disease

Echinacea

Echinacea is an herb native to the Midwest. It bears pink or purple flowers, has one primary cone and is found on tall stems. The active, natural chemicals found in Echinacea are: alkamides, glycoproteins, polysaccharides, flavonoids and volatile oils. It is currently distributed in three primary forms: Echinacea pallida, Echinacea angustifolia and

Echinacea purpurea. Because these different products utilize various parts of the plant, the effectiveness of Echinacea may differ from one specific product to another. These forms are available in tablets, capsules, extracts and ointments.

Native Americans were thought to have used echinacea to treat health issues more than 400 years ago. Since then, this herb has been used to treat many health complications including syphilis, malaria, diphtheria, blood poising, toothaches, malaria, small pox and scarlet fever.

Today, herbalists recommend Echinacea for those wishing to boost their immune system and battle infections. Studies indicate that the herb is effective in relieving pain and reducing inflammation. It also has properties similar to antioxidants as well as antiviral and hormonal medications. This is why this natural method is used to treat everything from athlete’s foot to vaginal yeast (candida) infections.

Although the herb is natural, it may be distributed with other active substances such as supplements, medications or other herbs. For this reason, those taking Echinacea should be aware of potential side effects. A healthcare professional should be sought if any side effects are experienced, including but not limited to: shortness of breath, fainting or mild rash. Those with diabetes, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, connective tissue disorders, tuberculosis, HIV or Aids, or any possible autoimmune disease should not take Echinacea. This is also true of anyone receiving an organ transplant since the herb may lower the effectiveness of immune suppressing medications.

Today, Echinacea has been used to treat many conditions, including but not limited to:

acne
AIDS
allergies
arthritis
athlete's foot
blood poisoning
boils
bronchitis
burns
cancer
carbuncles
chronic fatigue syndrome
cleansing the blood [one of the best blood purifiers]
common cold
digestion disorders
dispels flatulence
ear infections
eczema
female pelvic infections
fermentative dyspepsia
fevers
gangrene
hemorrhoids

herpes
immune system disorders
increases the production of white blood cells
inflammation
influenza
insect bites
lymphatic swelling
meningitis
psoriasis
relieves pain
sinusitis
slow-healing wounds
sore throats
streptococcus infections
tonsillitis
toothaches
tuberculosis
ulcers
upper respiratory infections
urinary tract infections
vaginal yeast (candida) infections
venereal diseases
whooping cough

Nutraceuticals are food supplements with medical health benefit, including the prevention and treatment of disease. The term was coined in the late 1980’s by Dr. Stephen DeFelice, M.D., founder and chairman of the Foundation for Innovation in Medicine. Such foods also commonly are referred to as functional foods, signifying they and or their components may provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. While all foods are functional in that they provide nutrients, nutraceuticals contain health promoting ingredients or natural components that have a potential health benefit for the body.

Bio Scientists have identified hundreds of compounds with functional qualities, and they continue to make new discoveries surrounding the complex benefits of phytochemicals in foods. Phytochemicals are non-nutritive plant chemicals that have protective or disease preventive properties.

Most often, nutraceuticals are simply natural. The FDA regulates nutraceuticals in the same way they regulate all foods, the safety of ingredients must be assured in advance, and all claims must be substantiated, truthful, and nonmisleading. Most members of the medical community are in acceptance of the health benefits of nutraceuticals. However, there is concern over products entering the consumer markets not following FDA guidelines and lacking adequate effacy and safety data.

When considering which brand to buy it is important you consider how the vitamins, nutraceuticals, nutritional supplements and dietary products are being manufactured. Here are some important Accreditations and Affiliations:

FDA - Food & Drug Administration

Fully licensed with the FDA.

NSF – National Safety Foundation

A core principle in the manufacturing of all health related products is to follow good manufacturing practices (GMP) set out by the FDA. The NSF is an independent organization in which certifies NSF GMP certified manufacturer of vitamins, nutraceuticals, nutritional supplements and dietary products. The NSF Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Registration for contract manufacturers and internal manufacturing facilities of dietary supplement companies enables contract manufacturers to become independently registered by NSF as complying with GMP requirements as listed in Section 8 of NSF/ANSI Standard 173-2008. These requirements are consistent with the published GMP regulation for dietary supplements as defined in 21 CFR § 111, which was published by the FDA in May 2007

cGMP - Good Manufacturing Practices

The FDA has outlined Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are guidelines that provide a system of processes, procedures, and documentation to assure the product produced has the identity, strength, composition, quality, and purity that it is represented to possess.

DEA - Drug Enforcement Administration

Compliant and licensed with the Drug Enforcement Administration in ensuring that all products manufactured abide by DEA policies and guidelines.

Natural Products Association

The nation’s largest and oldest non-profit organizations dedicated to the natural products industry. The U.S. department of agriculture regulates and sets standards for the use of the term “natural” and “organic”.

Quality Assurance International – Certified Organic

Independent third party certification of organic food systems has been the foundation of domestic and international organic food trade. The evolution of this verification effort, which documents the authenticity of organic farming and various subsequent levels of handling, is mandatory under the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and full implementation of the National Organic Program (NOP) Final Rule.

All vitamins, nutritional supplements, and nutraceuticals are made in the United States of America 100% Guaranteed.

Organic Certifiers

Committed to working with organic producers dedicated to providing consumers with certified organic products.

The National Institute of Health, (NIH), also is an excellent resource for information on Herbs & Supplements.

Information on Echnicacea as published at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/981.html

How effective is it?

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for ECHINACEA are as follows:

Possibly effective for...

Treating a common cold. Many scientific studies say that taking echinacea when cold symptoms are first noticed can modestly reduce symptoms of the common cold in adults. But some scientific studies show no benefit. The problem is that scientific studies have used different types of echinacea plants and different methods of preparation. Since the studies have not been consistent, it is not surprising that different studies show different results. If it helps for treating a cold, the benefit will likely be modest at best. Keep in mind that TREATING a common cold is different than PREVENTING a common cold. Taking echinacea does not seem to PREVENT a cold from starting.
Preventing vaginal yeast infections when used with a medicated cream called econazole (Spectazole). This combination lowers the recurrence rate of infection to about 16% compared to 60.5% with econazole alone.

Possibly ineffective for...

Preventing or treating recurrent genital herpes.

Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for...

Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Migraine headaches.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Eczema.
Hayfever.
Allergies.
Bee stings.
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Influenza (flu).
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate echinacea for these uses.

How does it work?

Echinacea seems to activate chemicals in the body that decrease inflammation, which might reduce cold and flu symptoms.

Laboratory research suggests that echinacea can stimulate the body’s immune system, but there is no evidence that this occurs in people.

Echinacea also seems to contain some chemicals that can attack yeast and other kinds of fungi directly.

Are there safety concerns?

Echinacea is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used short-term. There is not enough information to know if echinacea is safe for long-term use. Some side effects have been reported such as fever, nausea, vomiting, unpleasant taste, stomach pain, diarrhea, sore throat, dry mouth, headache, numbness of the tongue, dizziness, insomnia, disorientation, and joint and muscle aches.

Echinacea is POSSIBLY SAFE in children aged 2-11 when used for up to 10 days. But some children might develop a rash.

Echinacea can cause allergic reactions, especially in people who are allergic to ragweed, mums, marigolds, or daisies. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking echinacea.

Applying echinacea to the skin can cause redness, itchiness, or a rash.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy or breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of echinacea during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

“Auto-immune disorders” such as such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a skin disorder called pemphigus vulgaris, or others: Echinacea might have an effect on the immune system that could make these conditions worse. Don’t take echinacea if you have an auto-immune disorder.

An inherited tendency toward allergies (atopy): People with this condition are more likely to develop an allergic reaction to echinacea. It’s best to avoid exposure to echinacea if you have this condition.

Are there interactions with medications?

Moderate

Be cautious with this combination. Talk with your health provider.

Caffeine

The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Echinacea might decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking echinacea along with caffeine might cause too much caffeine in the bloodstream and increase the risk of side effects. Common side effects include jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

Medications changed by the body (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)

Some medications are changed and broken down by the body. Echinacea might change how the body breaks down some medications. Taking echinacea along with some medications might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking echinacea, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the body.

Some medications changed by the body include lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), diltiazem (Cardizem), estrogens, indinavir (Crixivan), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Echinacea might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking echinacea along with some medications might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking echinacea, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.

Some of the medications that are changed by the liver include clozapine (Clozaril), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), fluvoxamine (Luvox), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), mexiletine (Mexitil), olanzapine (Zyprexa), pentazocine (Talwin), propranolol (Inderal), tacrine (Cognex), theophylline, zileuton (Zyflo), zolmitriptan (Zomig), and others

Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)

Echinacea can increase the activity of the immune system. Taking echinacea along with some medications that decrease the immune system might decrease these medications' effectiveness.

Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.

Minor

Be watchful with this combination. Talk with your health provider.

Midazolam (Versed)

Taking midazolam (Versed) with echinacea increases how much midazolam (Versed) the body absorbs. This might increase the effects and side effects of midazolam (Versed), but more information is needed.

Are there interactions with herbs and supplements?

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Are there interactions with foods?

There are no known interactions with foods.

What dose is used?

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

For treatment of upper respiratory infections including the common cold and influenza, a wide variety of doses have been used depending on how the echinacea is prepared. These preparations include:

A tablet containing 6.78 mg of Echinacea purpurea crude extract based on 95% herb and 5% root (Echinaforce, Bioforce AG): two tablets given 3 times daily.
Freeze-dried echinacea juice extract capsules: 100 mg three times daily.
Echinacea purpurea herb juice: a daily dose of 6-9 mL for up to a maximum of 8 weeks. Echinacea purpurea herb juice has also been used in a dose of 20 drops every 2 hours for the first day followed by 20 drops three times daily until cold or flu symptoms improve.
An echinacea pallida root tincture equivalent to 900 mg herb daily.
An echinacea herbal compound tea (Echinacea Plus, Traditional Medicinals), consisting of leaves, flowers, and stems of Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia plus dried extract of Echinacea purpurea root, has been used by drinking 5-6 cups of tea on the first day of symptoms and titrating down to 1 cup per day over the next 5 days. The tea is prepared by pouring 8 ounces of boiling water over one tea bag and steeping, covered, for 10-15 minutes.
Echinacea liquid (Echinagard): 20 drops every 2 hours for the first day of symptoms, then 3 times daily for up to 10 days.

Other names

American Cone Flower, Black Sampson, Black Susans, Brauneria Angustifolia, Brauneria Pallida, Comb Flower, Coneflower, Echinacea Angustifolia, Echinacea Pallida, Echinacea Purpurea, Echinaceawurzel, Equinácea, Hedgehog, Igelkopfwurzel, Indian Head, Kansas Snakeroot, Narrow-Leaved Purple Cone Flower, Pale Coneflower, Purple Cone Flower, Purpursonnenhutkraut, Purpursonnenhutwurzel, Racine d'echininacea, Red Sunflower, Rock-Up-Hat, Roter Sonnenhut, Schmallblaettrige Kegelblumenwurzel, Schmallblaettriger Sonnenhut, Scurvy Root, Snakeroot, Sonnenhutwurzel.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. You should consult your physician before starting any new supplement, diet or fitness regimen.