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Research Chemical SciencesUGFREAKeudomestic
napsgeargenezapharmateuticals domestic-supplypuritysourcelabsResearch Chemical SciencesUGFREAKeudomestic

Echinacea and the Common Cold

anthrax

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Echinacea and the Common Cold

too bad .... :(

Taking whole, unrefined echinacea root does not reduce the duration or severity of cold symptoms in adults, according to a new study in Annals of Internal Medicine (2002;137:939–46). This is the latest study to add to the debate over the effectiveness of echinacea in treating colds and flus.

In this study, 142 college students were assigned to receive 6 grams per day of a dried mixture of echinacea (E. angustifolia root, E. purpurea root and E. purpurea whole herb) at the initial onset of cold symptoms and then 3 grams per day for up to ten days or a placebo taken in the same amounts. The severity and duration of symptoms were recorded daily. No significant difference in the severity or duration of cold symptoms was observed in those taking the echinacea compound, compared with those taking placebo.

The lack of benefit in the echinacea group would suggest that echinacea is ineffective against the common cold; however, several other studies have shown that echinacea significantly reduces the duration and severity of cold symptoms. One study showed that cold symptoms were less severe and resolved more quickly after taking 60 drops per day of an alcohol extract of E. pupurea. Another study demonstrated that 180 drops per day of E. purpurea also decreased the length and severity of colds. Other studies using different species of echinacea, such as E. angustifolia and E. pallida have shown similar results. (While studies have shown that echinacea can reduce a cold when taken at the onset of symptoms, little evidence suggests it is effective in preventing colds.)

from reuters
 
someone (on BBC) mentioned that its effects were only significantly seen in the elderly as opopose to the young, so you;d expect these results from the college age students
 
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