While conventional medicine battles disease directly by means of drugs, surgery, radiation and other therapies, true health can be attained by maintaining a healthy, properly functioning immune system. It is the immune system that fights off disease-causing microorganisms and engineers the healing process.(1)

Weakening of the immune system results in increased susceptibility to virtually every type of illness. Some common signs of impaired immune function include:

• Fatigue or listlessness

• Repeated infections

• Inflammation

• Allergic reactions

• Slow wound healing

• Chronic diarrhea

Overgrowth of normally present organisms such as oral thrush, systemic candidiasis or vaginal yeast infections.

The system may become weakened as a result of disease, stress, inadequate nutrition, poor living habits, chemotherapy or a combination of one or more of these factors.(1)

The chemistry, pharmacology and clinical applications of echinacea have been the subject of over 350 scientific studies.(3) A variety of active components that affect different aspects of immune function give echinacea a broad spectrum of effects on the immune system including:

• Enhanced T-cell mitogenesis(3,7,8)

• Enhanced macrophage phagocytosis(3,4,7,8)

• Enhanced antibody binding(3,8)

• Increased natural killer cell activity(3,8)

• Increased levels of circulating neutrophils(8)

• Increased production of interferon(3,4)

• Increased tumor necrosis factor(3,4)

Echinacea is rich in polysaccharides and phytosterols which have potent non-specific stimulatory effects on the immune system. Research indicates that they stimulate the Alternative Complement pathway which helps activate general immune cells to scavenge for bacteria and cellular debris.(2)

The roots of Echinacea angustifolia contain significant amounts of the glycoside echinacoside which has mild antibiotic activity. Other components such as the polysaccharide echinacin, also have antibiotic and antifungal activity.(2)

Echinacea pupurea also contains components, mainly echinacin, which inhibit hyaluronidase, an enzyme secreted by bacteria which breaks down the ground substance and helps them gain access to healthy cells.(2,4,6,7) Research in the early 1950’s showed that echinacea could completely counteract the effect of this enzyme and could help prevent infection when used to treat wounds.(4) Echinacea purpurea also contains sesquiterpene esters which have immunostimulatory activity.(2)

While echinacea extracts are most often used to boost the body’s defenses against colds, flu and upper respiratory infections, research has shown its immune-enhancing activity to be effective against a number of bacterial, viral and fungal infections including Streptococcus and Staphyloccus aureus,(6) urogenital infections,(3) herpes,(8) vesticular stomatitis,(8) Trichomonas vaginalis(6) and candidiasis.(5,6) Because it enhances production of interferon and tumor necrosis factor, it has also been used for cancer patients and to help restore normal immune function in patients receiving chemotherapy.(7)

Echinacea was among the most popular herbs used by native American Indians. At least 14 tribes used echinacea for coughs, colds, sore throats, infections, toothaches, inflammation, tonsillitis and snake bites, among other uses. It was used by the Dakotas as a veterinary medicine for their horses(4) and the Sioux Indians used the fresh scraped root to treat rabies, snakebite and septicemia. It is also a folk remedy for brown recluse spider bites.(7)

The most consistently proven effect of echinacea is in stimulating phagocytosis, or consumption of invading organisms by white blood cells and lymphocytes. In vitro studies show that extracts of echinacea can increase phagocytosis by 20%- 40%.(4) Furthermore, in vivo the extract induced increased proliferation of phagocytes in the spleen, bone and bone marrow and migration of granulocytes to the peripheral blood. In animal studies, these effects resulted in excellent protection against Listeria monocytogenes and Candida albicans infection.(5)

Although many clinical studies have used injectable administration of echinacea extracts, oral administration may yield similar or even better results.(8) Oral administration of echinacea extract to healthy males for five consecutive days resulted in an increase of 120% in granulocytic phagocytosis.(3)

Echinacea also has anti-inflammatory effects. In one study, an extract of echinacea produced a 22% reduction in inflammation among arthritis sufferers. Although that is only about half as effective as steroids drugs, steroids also have serious side effects. They actually suppress the immune system. Echinacea is non-toxic and adds immunestimulating properties to its antiinflammatory effect.(4)

Although it is native to North America, echinacea is widely used in Europe. In Germany extracts are used to stimulate nonspecific defense mechanisms at infections and chronic inflammations. More than 200 pharmaceutical preparations are made from Echinacea plants in West Germany including extracts, salves and tinctures used for wounds, herpes sores, canker sores, throat infections (including strep), preventative for influenza and colds.(7)

During acute stages of infection or inflammation, two echinacea capsules, 250 mg. each, may be taken every 1 to 3 hours, tapering off as symptoms improve. For maintenance, particularly during the cold and flu season, the recommended dose is one or two capsules daily.

It is generally suggested that echinacea extracts not be used continuously but periodically, a few weeks on and a few weeks off to maintain a healthy immune system.(6) Some testing shows that the immune system can only be stimulated briefly before returning to its normal state. After several days without stimulation, immunostimulants can again be effective.(4)

WARNING: This publication and the product contained herein have not been approved or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This publication, and the product contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The product relates to nutritional support only.