Echniacea

Question 1

Common name

Answer 1

Purple coneflower

Question 2

Scientific names

Answer 2

Echinacea purpurea (Best and MC)
E. Angustifolia
E. Pallida

Question 3

Plant part(s) used

Answer 3

Root and/or above ground (aerial) parts

Question 4

Active constituents (3)

Answer 4

Alkamides
Phenols (echinacoside, chicoric acid, other caffeic acid derivatives)
Polysacchardies

Question 5

What makes it therapeutic?
3 mechanisms
(Non human)

Answer 5

1. Immunostimulation via (increased immune cell proliferation + activity + production of cytokines like interleukins and TNF)
2. Antiviral effects (in vitro)
3. Anti-inflammatory effects (in vitro)

Question 6

What makes it therapeutic?
2 mechanisms
(human)

Answer 6

1. Increased number of circulating immune cells

2. Increased phagocytic activity

Question 7

Echinacea works in what populations?

Answer 7

Healthy (prevention
Immune-compromised (prevention)
Acute respiratory infection (treatment)
ADULTS OR CHILDREN

Question 8

What parts of Echinacea are deemed most beneficial?

Answer 8

Aerial, liquid form (vs. powder)

Question 9

What are some well known Echinacea products? (4)

Answer 9

Echinilin (Cold-A-Tak/Echniamide)
Echinaforce
Echinacin (EchniaGuard)
Achinacea Plus Tea (traditional medicinals)

Question 10

What are the conclusions of Echinacea studies?

Answer 10

1. Reduces risk of first common cold infection (~18%)
2. Reduces recurrent common cold infections (~35-58%)
3. Large reduction (~50%) in risk of complications from the common cold
4. Reduces duration of common cold
5. Does nothing for symptom severity

Question 11

How do you use Echinacea?

Answer 11

Start taking at very beginning of symptoms, large doses within 24 hours then taper off.

Question 12

Dosage for treatment of common cold using Cold-A-Tach, Echinamide extracts

Answer 12

• flowering tops of E.purpurea

- 4 mL 10x/day, then 4mL 4x/day

Question 13

Dosage for prevention and treatment of common cold using Echinaforce extract

Answer 13

• E.Purpurea herb (95%) and root (5%)
• Prevention: 0.9 mL 3x/day
• Treatment: 0.9 mL 5x/day

Question 14

Dosage for echinacin/EchinaGuard juice?

Answer 14

20-40 drops (1-2) mL every 2 hours on first day, same dose 3x/day after

Question 15

Safety issues (2)

Answer 15

Autoimmune

Allergy to plants

Question 16

Moderate drug interaction

Answer 16

Immunosuppressant agents reduced

Question 17

Side effects

Answer 17

GI upset
Temporary rash
Increases caffeine stuff

Question 18

Use during pregnancy?

Answer 18

Use caution. Who knows bra