Echinacea: An Herb as Part of a Winter Health Strategy: Dr. Ross Walton, Immunologist and Founder of A-IR Clinical Research Company, reviews the scientific research on the Echinacea herb and discusses how this readily available, licensed herb can be beneficial and beneficial. The role of efficiency as part of a winter health strategy.
Echinacea is an herb that can be found on the shelves of most pharmacies and health food stores in the UK. Currently licensed in the UK as a traditional herb for immune support and relief of cold and flu symptoms (eg, sore throat, cough, runny nose, nasal/sinus congestion, fever). Is this herb also available at WE LEARN? Does living with COVID help reduce infection and transmission of past, present, and future strains of coronavirus, as well as reduce the duration and severity of symptoms when infected?
The evidence for echinacea continues to accumulate. Over 30 peer-reviewed studies support the growing body of evidence that echinacea plays a preventive role in preventing the incidence, severity, and duration of cold and flu virus symptoms, and recent research suggests that it may be an effective preventative for a range of illnesses.
In September 2020, the Spiez laboratory in Switzerland published a study in the Virology Journal showing that a fresh liquid extract of the whole Echinacea purpurea plant is effective against a number of human coronaviruses. Researchers investigated the in vitro effect of Echinacea purpurea extract (Echinaforce®) on HCoV-229E (the coronavirus strain that causes seasonal colds), MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
The results showed that Echinacea purpurea extract was virucidal against HCoV-229E in direct contact and preconditioning of organotypic cell culture models. In addition, MERS-CoV, as well as SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, were inactivated by direct contact at similar extract concentrations.
These results suggest that echinacea extract may play a role in reducing the replication of human coronaviruses in the respiratory tract when administered in the upper respiratory tract and in a manner that provides direct contact with the virus; however, follow-up for disease severity and duration The effects are unclear, and further research is needed to fully determine the real effects of treatment.
In addition, another paper suggests that the use of antibiotics may decrease due to the use of echinacea to treat colds and flu. Twenty percent of influenza infections lead to complications, especially in the elderly and people with chronic illnesses. These secondary infections often result in longer holidays and, in worst cases, hospitalization. Fear of complications is a major motive for general practitioners to prescribe antibiotics, as well as forcing patients to prescribe antibiotics. The overuse of antibiotics has led to an increase in the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which has become a major public health problem worldwide.
A recent third article was a retrospective analysis of two studies on echinacea prevention in adults and children. Studies have shown that people who received echinacea during the cold and flu season experienced a reduction in the frequency and severity of colds, as well as a significant reduction in the number of endemic coronaviruses. This shows efficacy against typical coronaviruses and hopefully extrapolates to SARS-CoV-2.
The case for using echinacea to treat upper respiratory infections has grown significantly over the past five years. An increasing number of preclinical studies are directed towards determining the underlying mechanisms of action of seemingly complex substances, while clinical trials seek to demonstrate all the important clinical benefits.
In 2012, 755 participants participated in the longest and largest 4-month prophylactic trial of Echinacea purpurea (Echinaphora extract) conducted by the Common Cold Center (Cardiff). Both the frequency of recurrent colds and the severity of cold symptoms decreased by 59%. The need for the use of painkillers has also more than halved. Fewer colds and fewer days with cold symptoms. Echinacea is especially beneficial for those who are most prone to infections, such as those who have more than two colds a year, are stressed, sleep poorly, and smoke.
Research by Professor Margaret Ritchie from the University of St. Andrews emphasizes that echinacea is adaptable to individual needs: in populations with low production of immune mediators, echinacea has a stimulating effect, and in populations with high production of immune mediators, echinacea reduces inflammatory processes. mediators that support a more moderate regulatory response. Data from a meta-analysis of six clinical trials involving 2458 members of the Royal Society of Medicine showed that echinacea extract significantly reduced recurrent respiratory infections, thereby reducing the risk of pneumonia or bronchitis.
So, is echinacea the answer? In addition, fully controlled, larger, population-based clinical studies are needed to further demonstrate the effectiveness of echinacea and build on existing data showing that the extract is effective in reducing the effectiveness of severe secondary complications in terms of disease and antibiotic prescribing. However, this action, along with the broad virucidal and antiviral properties of echinacea extract, its efficacy against a wide range of respiratory pathogens, including many important strains of SARS-CoV-2, and its favorable safety profile, provide a strong rationale for its use. use with vaccine-generated immunity strategies.
For best results, OTC herbal remedies should contain all parts of the plant, such as Echinaforce Echinacea Extract from Traditional Herbal Brand A.Vogel, which contains fresh organic Echinacea plants and roots. But not all echinacea products are created equal, so look for traditional herbal products with the THR logo on the packaging, as this means they have been evaluated by the UK Herbal Medicines Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for quality and safety. and with approved medicines to relieve symptoms of colds and flu.

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