Herb Focus - Echinacea

1. A little about the herb, why we should stock up on it?

Echinacea is by now one of the western world’s most famous herbs, known to many for it’s profound immune stimulating responses in the wake of viral, bacterial and fungal infections of either a lighter more acute nature or a chronic deep seated one. It not only stimulates and empowers the immune system it also revives digestion as it contains Betaine, HCL, a digestive enzyme and it is a useful anti-inflammatory.

Echinacea broadly acts by doubling or tripling the number of immune T cells in the body and vastly increases interferon and other important fighter components within the immune system to include both phagocyte and macrophage production. Some call it Natures Antibiotic. It is safe and useful for the very young to the very old and can be used safely in pregnancy and during breast feeding (American College of Nurse –Midwives, 1994).

2. How much should we be taking?

Echinacea can be found in Tincture form as a Herbal Tea as well as Capsules, Tablets and Ointments.

(Capsules are less favourable because the taste is vital to its medicinal use). The most active biochemistry is found in the root but the leaves may be used to a lesser extent.

The whole Herb Tincture at a 1:1 strength – 5mls x 2 or 3 daily (up to x 5 daily for acute situation) on a 10 days on, 10 days off basis, or for more extended ‘acute’ use, 3 weeks on and then wait 2 or more weeks before resuming e.g. flu.
Capsules and Tablets – 250-300mg of powdered whole herb. 2 capsules or tablets 2-4 x daily.
For Herb Tea use 20g dried root to 700mls of cold water – simmer for 15 mins and reduce to 500mls of liquid – drink 2-4 cups daily.
Ointments – use liberally x 2 daily.

3. What are the best food sources?

This herb can be grown in the UK but it likes dry soil and will often die off in heavy wet soils. Use as a herbal tea (see above) for a more dietary approach. Food sources do not really exist as it is the Echinacosides, Polyacetylenes and Alkylamides that are of great importance and these do not appear common foods.

4. The benefits

Often useful when an antibiotic cannot ideally be used e.g. pregnancy or when several courses of antibiotics have failed to alter a stubborn process.

5. The dangers if you take too much and contra-indicators

It was thought a decade ago (1990’s) that Echinacea should never be used by people with auto-immune diseases as it was felt that it would exacerbate the ‘overdrive’ response of the immune system, provoking the body to “eat itself” and thus lower immune levels even more – these warnings have had no empirical evidence or clinical trial evidence to support these theories and since the late 90’s this ‘ban’ has been lifted and proved as always very useful for auto-immune patients as quoted by Herbalist Simon Mills in his book ‘Principles and Practices of Physiotherapy’ and as observed in clinical use by the author of this piece.

Ideally take on and off as needed but do not take every day for prevention purposes because you will simply demand a constant immune over-drive response whereas food and or other herbs could be used. It can be safely used in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

6. Recommended Supplements

Ideally use as a Tea or Tincture so that the taste of the herb can be ‘felt’. It should tingle, slightly numb the tongue and taste metallic which is a sign that the immune tissue situated under the tongue is being stimulated (this effect is stronger in the botanical species Echinacea Angustifolia than Echinacea Purpurea). This tingling assures the user that the Echinacea has the required potency.

Need To Know

1:1 Tincture of Root Echinacea 5mls x 3-5 daily – should tingle to taste.
Or steeped Herbal Tea x 3 daily – should tingle to taste.
A natural antibiotic with high antimicrobial activity. Useful in a preventative capacity or for lessening of symptoms of illness.

Research

In 1989 two Controlled Studies involving 100 flu patients showed that Echinacea shortened the duration of the flu and eased the symptoms – (Vorberg and Schneider 1989, Dorn 1989). They also showed that the immune function was enhanced and increased by 50-120% over a 5 day period.