Echinacea:

http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/bi/2000/Ethnobotany/purple_coneflower.html

Purple coneflower has a long history of medicinal use.  Native Americans used it as an antidote for snake bit and other venomous bites and stings.  It was also used in a smoke treatment for headaches. Purple coneflower was used to calm toothaches and sore gums, and tea form it was drunk to treat colds, mumps, arthritis, and a blood purifier (often a euphemism for the treatment of venereal diseases).  Further, it was used as a treatment for pain, indigestion, tumors, malaria and hemorrhoids.  After a long period of disregard, purple coneflower has come back into vogue in recent years.  It is used primarily as an immune-system booster and it has been used as a treatment for skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis, boils and wounds, burns, cold sores and genital herpes.  It is also recommended for use to treat bronchitis, tonsillitis, meningitis, tuberculosis, abscesses, whooping cough, arthritis and ear infections.

Research has yet to determine what exact compounds in purple coneflower give it its medicinal properties.  Early research with purple coneflower and its relatives were done with adulterated or misidentified samples, so results of those tests are unreliable.  Although clinical trials have been poorly designed, animal and test tube studies have shown that purple coneflower extracts do fight certain viruses and appear to stimulate the immune system to ward off bacterial infection.  Some animal studies have shown that purple coneflower promotes phagocytosis, but the results are not conclusive. Laboratory findings have shown that purple coneflower is effective in healing superficial wounds.  More study must be done before any clear recommendations about the use of purple coneflower can be made.

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:2THiSa-brDQJ:www.bioscantrainer.org/Word%2520Document/Immune%2520Formula%2520HCPG.doc+%22GoldenSeal+Clinical+Studies%22&hl=en&client=firefox-a

Placebo-controlled clinical trials have shown that supplementation with Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) can increase phagocytosis and speed up recovery time in subjects with acute infections. Additional studies have found that echinacea produces a general immune stimulating effect on various components of the immune system including T lymphocytes, neutrophils, NK cells, tumor necrosis factor alpha, granulocytes,

(4) - Bauer R, Wagner H. Echinacea Species as potential immunostimulatory drugs. In: Farnsworth NR, Wagner H, eds. Phytomedicines of Europe: Chemistry and Biological Activity. New York, N.Y.: Academic Press 1991:253-321.

(7) - Bauer R, Remiger P. TLC and HPLC Analysis of Alkamides in Echinacea Drugs. Planta Medica 1989;55:367-71

(19) - Chollet F. [From heart to brain and from brain to heart: impact of an anticoagulant treatment with aspirin in secondary prevention]. Presse Med 1994;23:618-22.

(20) - Burger RA, Torres AR, Warren RP, Caldwell VD, Hughes BG. Echinacea-induced cytokine production by human macrophages. Int J Immunopharmacol 1997;19:371-9.

(21) - Bodinet C, Beuscher N. Antiviral and immunological activity of glycoproteins from echinacea purpurea radix. Planta Medica 1992;57.

(33) - Bodinet C, Willigmann I, Beuscher N. Host-resistance increasing activity of root extracts from Echinacea species. Planta Medica 1993;59 (Suppl):A43-A44.

(40) - Jurcic K, Melchart D, Holzmann M, Et Al. Two studies on the stimulation of the phagocytosis of granulocytes by drug preparations containing extracts of Echinacea in healthy volunteers. Zeitschrift fur Phytotherapie 1989;10:67-70.

(41) - Hoheisel O, Sandberg M, Bertram S, et al. Echinagard treatment shortens the course of the common cold: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. European Journal of Clinical Research 1997;9:261-8.

(42) - Braunig B. Echinacea purpurea radix for strengthening the immune response in flu-like infections. Zeitschrift fur Phytotherapie 1992;13:7-13.

(60) - Blumenthal M. The German Commission E Monograph system for phytomedicines: A model for regulatory reform in the United States. Phytomedicines of Europe: Chemistry and Biological Activity. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society 1998:30-43.

(61) - Echinacea purpurea. In: Blumenthal M, et al, eds. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. American Botanical Council.  Austin, Texas: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998. (62) - Bergner P. News From Germany--Contraindications for Echinacea? Medical Herbalism 1990;2.

http://www.herbs.org/greenpapers/echinacea.html

Over 500 scientific studies have documented the chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical applications of Echinacea. This Native American herb has an impressive record of laboratory and clinical research. Thousands of doctors currently use Echinacea for treating infectious diseases. Primary uses of Echinacea - Colds, coughs and flu and other upper respiratory conditions; enlarged lymph glands, sore throat; urinary tract infections; other minor infections; may help combat herpes and candida; wounds, skin regeneration and skin infections (external use); psoriasis, eczema and inflammatory skin conditions (external use).

Echinacea Purpurea

Scientific Name: Echinacea
Other Names: American Coneflower, Black Sampson, Comb Flower, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, Hedgehog, Indian Head, Purple Coneflower, Rudbeckia, Sampson Head, Scurvy Root, Snakeroot

References

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Facino RM, Carini M, Aldini G, et al. Echinacoside and caffeoyl conjugates protect collagen from free radical-induced degradation: a potential use of echinacea extracts in the prevention of skin photodamage. Planta Medica. 1995;61:510-514.

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Last Revised October 13, 2004

http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/ID/354/e/1/T/CFIDS_FM/

A physician's review of Echinacea clinical studies contains good news for the treatment of colds. The review reaffirms conclusions from previous peer-reviewed research – Echinacea is safe and can work in the early treatment of acute upper respiratory infections, such as colds.

Echinacea is a perennial herb from the composite or aster family that contains flowers such as daisies and sunflowers. It grows wild throughout the central plains of the United States and was used by Native Americans. It has gained increasing popularity in Europe as a treatment for respiratory and urinary tract infections. Extracts from the plant's leaves, flowers, or roots are used in preparing commercial products.

The review, published in the August issue of The Journal of Family Practice, examined the evidence from 13 clinical trials. In each trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive a placebo or Echinacea. The studies were double-blinded, so neither patients nor physicians knew the assigned substance.

Nine of the 13 clinical trials examined the use of Echinacea in treating respiratory infections and eight reported positive results. Typically, patients began treatment with the first signs of infection, and treatment continued for eight days. Compared with placebo groups, the groups taking Echinacea reported fewer "full blown" colds, milder symptoms if a cold developed, or colds of shorter duration. In the minds of most consumers, this probably would be viewed as "prevention." A lower dose of Echinacea was used in the one study that showed no beneficial effect, which might account for the negative findings.

The other four studies were trials of chronic use in the absence of symptoms and all reported some benefit from Echinacea. In these studies, the participants took a placebo or Echinacea for a longer period, typically two to three months. While all four studies reported positive results, they were not all statistically significant.

Additional research – with a larger number of participants and more objective measurements for outcome – should further clarify the value of Echinacea in preventing respiratory infections. Based on the current research, the physician authors concluded, "the evidence suggests Echinacea taken early in the course of an illness may be safe and effective in reducing the severity and duration of the common cold."

Source: Council for Responsible Nutrition, CRN News, September 1999.