Echinacea

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Interview with David Wolfe on raw foods, the bird flu and herbal healing Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

You can have echinacea, just dried echinacea flowers in glass tucked away, and you can make tea out of that. If you need it in that moment, you can have echinacea extracts that are encapsulated. Those are in almost every health food store for almost nothing. I was in a health food store the other day, and they had organic echinacea encapsulated for $5.00 a bottle. Mike: Wow, that's a deal. Wolfe: I bought every one they had. It's amazing. Generally, you're going to find a combination of the flower and the root, or you'll find just the root or just the flower. All of it has the same chemistry.

Your Symptoms Are Real: What to Do When Your Doctor Says Nothing Is Wrong Benjamin H. Natelson, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

But not all studies are alike. The echinacea study, which was reported in a major American medical journal, the New England Journal of Medicine, was particularly thorough. People may continue buying echinacea, but, if it works, it does so because of their belief in its efficacy rather than because it has a specific antiviral effect. Nutraceuticals Echinacea is an example of a nutraceutical, a class of food-based chemicals that are thought to have an effect on health.

Asthma Controlled Naturally: Techniques That Work Dr Ron Roberts See book keywords and concepts

ECHINACEA A herb native to North America, echinacea is highly regarded as a traditional treatment for immune disorders and infections of the upper respiratory tract such as asthma, colds, flu, tonsillitis and catarrh. It is considered one of the most powerful alternative medicines because of its excellent antibiotic, antiviral and immune-system boosting properties. echinacea helps contain infection and shortens the duration of coughs, colds and flus. It is therefore an ideal herb for asthmatics to take regularly.

Interview with David Wolfe on raw foods, the bird flu and herbal healing Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

You can have echinacea, just dried echinacea flowers in glass tucked away, and you can make tea out of that. If you need it in that moment, you can have echinacea extracts that are encapsulated. Those are in almost every health food store for almost nothing. I was in a health food store the other day, and they had organic echinacea encapsulated for $5.00 a bottle. Mike: Wow, that's a deal. Wolfe: I bought every one they had. It's amazing. Generally, you're going to find a combination of the flower and the root, or you'll find just the root or just the flower. All of it has the same chemistry.

Bottom Line's Health Breakthroughs 2007 Bottom Line Health See book keywords and concepts

Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine had found echinacea to be no more effective than a placebo at combating cold and flu symptoms. But don't clear out your herbal medicine chest just yet. What went largely unreported was that study participants received only 900 milligrams (mg) of echinacea daily—less than one-third of the dose recommended by the World Health Organization for combating upper-respiratory infections. That's akin to expecting one-third of a dose of aspirin to relieve a headache. What's the other side of the story?

Caution: If you're allergic to ragweed, avoid echinacea supplements that have been derived from stems, leaves or flowers—they may contain pollen and trigger a reaction. Use an echinacea root supplement. Following are five other herbs that have scientific evidence on their side... GARLIC What it does: Helps prevent and possibly reverse arterial plaque buildup (atherosclerosis), a major cause of heart attack and stroke.. .reduces the risk of stomach and colorectal cancers.. .and acts as a blood thinner to reduce the risk of blood clots.

Before You Take that Pill: Why the Drug Industry May Be Bad for Your Health J. Douglas Bremner See book keywords and concepts

Results of randomized, double-blind trials, however, have not shown echinacea to be useful in the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections. echinacea and infection are reviewed in more detail in Chapter 10. GARLIC Garlic has been shown to improve glucose control in rat models of diabetes; studies in humans, however, have not shown the same result. Although garlic was initially promoted for cholesterol reduction, subsequent research has not confirmed that garlic has a beneficial effect for this purpose.

What Color is Your Diet? David Heber, M.D., Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

The echinacea family includes the purple coneflower, which grows on the edges of cornfields in the Midwest, but several species of echinacea are now being cultivated for sale as herbal dietary supplements. echinacea, primarily the roots, was used by Native Americans in the Midwest to soothe toothaches, coughs, and sore throats. Surprisingly, while there are many compounds found in echinacea, the active agents in this plant are not known. The usual dose is 225 milligrams per day of a 6 to 1 echinacea root extract.

Your Symptoms Are Real: What to Do When Your Doctor Says Nothing Is Wrong Benjamin H. Natelson, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

People may continue buying echinacea, but, if it works, it does so because of their belief in its efficacy rather than because it has a specific antiviral effect. Nutraceuticals Echinacea is an example of a nutraceutical, a class of food-based chemicals that are thought to have an effect on health. The number of these products multiplied greatly after Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), a law that allows the sale of "natural" health products or nutraceuticals with only minimal government oversight.

Before You Take that Pill: Why the Drug Industry May Be Bad for Your Health J. Douglas Bremner See book keywords and concepts

There were no differences in the percentage of volunteers who became infected in the echinacea group (81%) vs. the placebo group (85%) or in other laboratory measures of infection. Based on these studies echinacea treatment of the common cold is not justified. PROBIOTICS Probiotics are live microbial supplements taken to improve the microbial balance of the colon. Probiotics are used more commonly in Europe than in the U.S., with the highest usage in France (thirty-two doses per day per 1,000 people).

In animal studies it has been shown to increase immunologic activity; yet, despite all the promotion of its preventative properties, echinacea has not been shown to be useful in the prevention of colds. Based on some small earlier trials of questionable methodology that were performed primarily in Germany, echinacea was initially claimed to reduce the length of colds. Results of more recent randomized, double-blind trials conducted in the U.S. using appropriate methods, however, have not been consistent with those of the German studies.

Safe Trip to Eden: Ten Steps to Save Planet Earth from the Global Warming Meltdown David Steinman See book keywords and concepts

Gaia Herbs, with 250 certified organic acres in Brevard, North Carolina, has worked extensively with government grants to explore the health benefits of such heavyweight herbals as echinacea. Their natural methods of cultivation and scientific insight into the active chemicals in such plants has led to a breakthrough in cultivation to make echinacea a potentially more useful cold and flu remedy. Gaia has been committed to organic growing for over twenty years, and in this time has established itself as a leader in organic growing. Gaia is proud to be an Oregon Tilth certified grower.

Before You Take that Pill: Why the Drug Industry May Be Bad for Your Health J. Douglas Bremner See book keywords and concepts

Results of randomized, double-blind trials, however, have not shown echinacea to be useful in the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections. echinacea and infection are reviewed in more detail in Chapter 10. GARLIC Garlic has been shown to improve glucose control in rat models of diabetes; studies in humans, however, have not shown the same result. Although garlic was initially promoted for cholesterol reduction, subsequent research has not confirmed that garlic has a beneficial effect for this purpose.

Asthma Controlled Naturally: Techniques That Work Dr Ron Roberts See book keywords and concepts

It is considered one of the most powerful alternative medicines because of its excellent antibiotic, antiviral and immune-system boosting properties. echinacea helps contain infection and shortens the duration of coughs, colds and flus. It is therefore an ideal herb for asthmatics to take regularly. Echinacea is widely available in a variety of forms: liquid formulas to relieve mucus build-up and coughs, easy-to-take soft gel capsules and tablets. GINGKO B1E0BA The therapeutic uses of extracts from the gingko biloba, or maidenhair tree, are centuries old.

Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes See book keywords and concepts

In the last year, we saw two studies showing that echinacea was not effective. One used a product made from the leaf juice (the root is what is usually used) that was five times more dilute than what the vast majority of American herbalists use. It was no surprise to many that the study showed no or little activity. In the second study, researchers used what was probably an effective echinacea product, but the dose was only one-quarter to one-third of what would be considered an adequate therapeutic dose. It, too, was found to be ineffective.

Before You Take that Pill: Why the Drug Industry May Be Bad for Your Health J. Douglas Bremner See book keywords and concepts

In animal studies it has been shown to increase immunologic activity; yet, despite all the promotion of its preventative properties, echinacea has not been shown to be useful in the prevention of colds. Based on some small earlier trials of questionable methodology that were performed primarily in Germany, echinacea was initially claimed to reduce the length of colds. Results of more recent randomized, double-blind trials conducted in the U.S. using appropriate methods, however, have not been consistent with those of the German studies.

1000 Cures for 200 Ailments: Integrated Alternative and Conventional Treatments for the Most Common Illnesses Marshall Editions See book keywords and concepts

A pre-made tincture of echinacea can be added to a compress or poultice of the plants mentioned above. It can also be 16 I purchased as a cream and applied to the abscess to speed up the healing process. DIAGNOSIS Acne is a common skin disorder affecting young people during puberty, with boys tending to be more prone to it than girls due to hormonal activity. It is caused by the inflammation of the oil-producing sebaceous glands, which become overactive, flooding the pores with grease.

The Okinawa Program : How the World's Longest-Lived People Achieve Everlasting Health Bradley J. Willcox, D. Craig Willcox, and Makoto Suzuki See book keywords and concepts

People who take echinacea recover from colds and flus more quickly. And if it is taken at the first sign of a cold, it might prevent it altogether. More research is needed, but echinacea looks very promising. Nevertheless, taking handfuls of echinacea to "strengthen your immune system" is definitely not advisable. Research suggests that if you take echinacea year-round it may increase your susceptibility to colds. So the best bet is to keep it as part of your emergency herbal arsenal. Try taking 300 mg three times per day when you first feel a cold coming on.

PDR for Herbal Medicines Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Beuscher N, Scheit KH, Bodinet C, Egert D, Modulation der korpereigenen Immunabwehr durch polymere Substanzen aus Baptisia tinctoria und echinacea purpurea. In: Immunotherapeutic prospects of infectious diseases, Hrsg. Masihi KN, Lange W. Springer, Heidel. Beuscher N, Uber die medikamentose Beeinflussung zellularer Resistenzmechanismen im Tierversuch. Aktivierung von Peritonealmakrophagen der Maus durch pflanzliche Reizkbrper. In: Arzneim Forsch 32(1): 134-138. 1977. Bohlmann F, Hoffman H, (1983) Phytochemistry 22(5): 1173. Busing KH, Hyaluronidasehemmung durch Echinacin.

COMPOUNDS: echinacea PURPUREA RADIX Water-soluble immunostimulating polysaccharides Immuno stimulating glyco proteins Volatile oil (0.

Flavonoids Caffeic acid derivatives: cichoriic acid, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid, verbascoside, echinacoside Alkamides: including dodeca-2E,4E-8Z,10E-tetracetyliso-butylamide Polyynes: including trideca-l-en-3,5,7,9,ll-pentaine, pontica epoxide Water-soluble immunostimulating polysaccharides (rhamno-arabinogalactans) Non alkylatingly effective pyrrolizidine alkaloids: tussilag-ine, isotussilagine EFFECTS: echinacea ANGUSTIFOLIA HERBA ET RADIX In vitro, a 23% increase in phagocytic elements was noted when an alcoholic root extract was tested in granulocyte smears.

The Complete Book of Alternative Nutrition Selene Y. Craig, Jennifer Haigh, Sari Harrar and the Editors of PREVENTION Magazine Health Books See book keywords and concepts

Upping Immunity with Echinacea When it comes to warding off colds, no herb has better word-of-mouth endorsements than echinacea. A plant that's native to North America, echinacea seems to work by pumping up the immune system to help your body keep infections at bay. Animal studies show that substances in echinacea root stimulate the immune system to produce more of the proteins alpha-interferon, beta-in-terferon and interleukin-1. These proteins are necessary for the production of immune system cells, the hardworking foot soldiers that defend your body against infection.

Bottom Line's Health Breakthroughs 2007 Bottom Line Health See book keywords and concepts

Use an echinacea root supplement. Following are five other herbs that have scientific evidence on their side... GARLIC What it does: Helps prevent and possibly reverse arterial plaque buildup (atherosclerosis), a major cause of heart attack and stroke.. .reduces the risk of stomach and colorectal cancers.. .and acts as a blood thinner to reduce the risk of blood clots.

1000 Cures for 200 Ailments: Integrated Alternative and Conventional Treatments for the Most Common Illnesses Marshall Editions See book keywords and concepts

Take a combination of echinacea and goldenseal tincture, using 2-4 ml of each, four times a day for their immune-enhancing and antiviral properties. Lomatium dissectum also has strong antiviral effects; take 500 mg in capsule form or 2-4 ml of tincture four times a day. HOMEOPATHY The homeopathic remedies suggested below can be helpful in shortening the duration, easing the pain, and speeding up recovery from a recently developed sore throat.

Understanding Medicinal Plants: Their Chemistry And Therapeutic Action Bryan Hanson, PhD See book keywords and concepts

Phenolic compounds and polyalkyne derivatives, a: gallic acid, a phenolic acid; b: a polyalkyne from Echinacea;c: arctinal, a modified polyalkyne. An economically important example is the genus echinacea (the purple coneflowers), which is in the sunflower family.22 Preparations of these species are well-known for their ability to stimulate the immune system to fight off cold and flu infections.

One exception is the North American herb echinacea (purple coneflower), which stimulates the immune system and helps fight off or reduce the severity of an infection. Echinacea's actions appear to be due to several classes of chemicals and, although it is one of the most heavily researched herbs, a complete picture of exactly which molecules are responsible for its beneficial effects has yet to emerge. However, several polysaccharides appear to be important, in part, in the activation of the immune system.

Unleash the Inner Healing Power of Foods The Editors of FC&A See book keywords and concepts

Many herbalists recommend taking echinacea extract at the first signs of a cold. You may get relief from the stuffy, sneezy, drippy symptoms in only 24 hours. Echinacea seems most effective when taken sparingly, and it should never be used for more than eight weeks. Don't use this herb if you are allergic to members of the daisy family, or if you have an autoimmune condition like multiple sclerosis. Thyme. The same herb that seasons your food can relieve congestion. Steep about one teaspoon of this dried herb in a cup of warm water and drink it three times a day.

1000 Cures for 200 Ailments: Integrated Alternative and Conventional Treatments for the Most Common Illnesses Marshall Editions See book keywords and concepts

Combine 1 tsp each of chamomile flowers, echinacea root, mullein leaves, and passionflower leaves, and Y> tsp each of elecampane root and lemon verbena leaves (if available). Pour 1 quart of boiling water over the herbs in a saucepan, let them steep for 10-15 minutes, and strain the liquid. Give a 50 lb child >2 cup of tea at least once a day as a preventive measure, or a few times a day if breathing becomes strained or when emotional upset may trigger an attack. If you use a tincture of these herbs, give 15 drops to replace each Yi cup of tea.

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ABOUT THE CREATOR OF NATURALPEDIA: Mike Adams, the creator of this NaturalNews Naturalpedia, is the editor of NaturalNews.com, the internet's top natural health news site, creator of the Honest Food Guide (www.HonestFoodGuide.org), a free downloadable consumer food guide based on natural health principles, author of Grocery Warning, The 7 Laws of Nutrition, Natural Health Solutions, and many other books available at www.TruthPublishing.com, creator of the earth-friendly EcoLEDs company (www.EcoLEDs.com) that manufactures energy-efficient LED lighting products, founder of Arial Software (www.ArialSoftware.com), a permission e-mail technology company, creator of the CounterThink Cartoon series (www.NaturalNews.com/index-cartoons.html) and author of over 1,500 articles, interviews, special reports and reference guides available at www.NaturalNews.com. Adams' personal philosophy and health statistics are available at www.HealthRanger.org.