June 24, 2007

scientists comment on new published research on echinacea and colds

The study, published in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases, showed that echinacea could reduce the chances of catching a cold.

Prof Ron Cutler, School of Biosciences, University of East London, said:

“Echinacea has traditionally been used for both prevention and treatment of colds; but, recent studies suggest that it may be more effective as a treatment.

“It may reduce the duration of illness and decreases the severity of cough, headache, and nasal congestion.

“People with impaired immune function may benefit from taking echinacea during the winter months to prevent colds and flu, but healthy people do not require long term preventative use. There has also been the suggestion in the past that continuous treatment with Echinacea is not recommended – the benefits may only be effective for one or two weeks and that after taking the agent for this time people should stop and give the immune system a week without the agent.

“Overall this study, although well structured, only produces a small increase in our understanding. The true benefits and more importantly how the agents work remains unclear and further better controlled actual clinical trials still have to be carried out.”

Professor Ronald Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre and healthcare clinical trials, University of Cardiff, said:

“A significant step in our battle against the common cold. Harnessing the power of our own immune system to fight common infections with herbal medicines such as Echinacea is now given more validity with this interesting scientific evaluation of past clinical trials.”