The Efficacy of Echinacea Compound Herbal Tea Preparation on the Severity and Duration of Upper Respiratory and Flu Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Lindenmuth, G. Frank; Lindenmuth, Elise B.

doi:10.1089/10755530050120691

Cited by 85 publications

(61 citation statements)

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“…However, data are in conflict regarding its efficacy, with some studies supporting effectiveness (Goel et al 2005;Lindenmuth and Lindenmuth 2000;Schulten et al 2001) and others discounting it (Barrett et al 2002;Turner et al 2005;Yale and Liu 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenetic Comparison of Seven Echinacea Species Based on Immunomodulatory Characteristics

et al. 2006

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The purpose of the present investigation was to compare similarities and differences in immune response among Echinacea species, which are commonly used to treat upper respiratory infections. The investigation involved two components: acquisition of immunomodulatory data reported here for the first time, and combined phenetic analysis of these data along with previous reports. Experimental data were obtained by stimulating human PBMC in vitro with extracts from Echinacea spp. and assaying production of three cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], interleukin-2 [IL-2], and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]). Phenetic analyses were employed to compare responses across the entire data set, including UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) and neighbor-joining methods. In the immune experiments conducted for this investigation, E. angustifolia, E. paradoxa, E. purpurea, E. simulata, and E. tennesseensis extracts significantly augmented IL-1 β and TNF-α production, whereas no extracts significantly modulated IL-2. All phenetic methods produced similar dendrograms, revealing two species pairs (E. angustifolia + E. simulata and E. pallida + E.sanguinea) where both species cluster tightly and have similar immune-response profiles. These two species-pairs are maximally dissimilar from each other. The remaining species (E. paradoxa, E. purpurea, and E. tennesseensis) occupy intermediate positions in the dendrogram. Our results suggest that Echinacea spp. act heterogeneously on immune function. The utility of these data for science and industry is discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenetic Comparison of Seven Echinacea Species Based on Immunomodulatory Characteristics

et al. 2006

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“…However, the literature supporting its clinical efficacy is inconclusive (Hoheisel et al, 1997;Brinkeborn et al, 1999;Grimm and Muller, 1999;Giles et al, 2000;Lindenmuth and Lindenmuth, 2000;Turner et al, 2000;Barrett et al, 2002;Taylor et al, 2003;Yale and Liu, 2004;Sperber et al, 2004). This incongruity could be due partly to the fact that the products utilized in many studies were not standardized on active components (Turner et al, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A proprietary extract from the echinacea plant (Echinacea purpurea) enhances systemic immune response during a common cold

Goel

Lovlin

Chang³

et al. 2005

Phytotherapy Research

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In a previous paper, it was reported that Echinilin (Factors R & D Technologies, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada) a formulation prepared from freshly harvested Echinacea purpurea plants and standardized on the basis of three known active components (alkamides, cichoric acid and polysaccharides) is effective for the treatment of a naturally acquired common cold. However, the mechanism by which this effect is achieved remains unknown. In the present study, Echinilin or placebo were administered to volunteers at the onset of their cold for a period of 7 days, with eight doses (5 mL/dose) on day 1 and three doses on subsequent days. Fasting blood samples were obtained before and during their colds. The decrease in total daily symptomatic score was more evident in the echinacea group than in the placebo group. These effects of echinacea were associated with a significant and sustained increase in the number of circulating total white blood cells, monocytes, neutrophils and NK cells. In the later part of the cold, the echinacea treatment suppressed the cold-related increase in superoxide production by the neutrophils. These results suggest that Echinilin, by enhancing the non-specific immune response and eliciting free radical scavenging properties, may have led to a faster resolution of the cold symptoms.

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“…A further placebo-controlled study involving adults with early symptoms of a cold (n ¼ 95) explored the effects of a combination preparation containing E. purpurea and E. angustifolia herb and extract of E. purpurea root, as well as lemongrass leaf and spearmint leaf as flavourings, formulated as a tea (Lindenmuth & Lindenmuth 2000). When prepared as directed, tea prepared from one bag was stated to provide 31.5 mg of phenolic compounds, calculated as caftaric acid, cichoric acid, chlorogenic acid and echinacoside.…”

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confidence: 99%

Echinacea species (Echinacea angustifolia (DC.) Hell., Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt., Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench): a review of their chemistry, pharmacology and clinical properties

Barnes

Anderson²,

Gibbons

et al. 2005

Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

379

310

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This paper reviews the chemistry, pharmacology and clinical properties of Echinacea species used medicinally. The Echinacea species Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida and Echinacea purpurea have a long history of medicinal use for a variety of conditions, particularly infections, and today echinacea products are among the best-selling herbal preparations in several developed countries. Modern interest in echinacea is focused on its immunomodulatory effects, particularly in the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. The chemistry of Echinacea species is well documented, and several groups of constituents, including alkamides and caffeic acid derivatives, are considered important for activity. There are, however, differences in the constituent profile of the three species. Commercial echinacea samples and marketed echinacea products may contain one or more of the three species, and analysis of samples of raw material and products has shown that some do not meet recognized standards for pharmaceutical quality. Evidence from preclinical studies supports some of the traditional and modern uses for echinacea, particularly the reputed immunostimulant (or immunomodulatory) properties. Several, but not all, clinical trials of echinacea preparations have reported effects superior to those of placebo in the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. However, evidence of efficacy is not definitive as studies have included different patient groups and tested various different preparations and dosage regimens of echinacea. On the basis of the available limited safety data, echinacea appears to be well tolerated. However, further investigation and surveillance are required to establish the safety profiles of different echinacea preparations. Safety issues include the possibility of allergic reactions, the use of echinacea by patients with autoimmune diseases and the potential for echinacea preparations to interact with conventional medicines.

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The Efficacy of Echinacea Compound Herbal Tea Preparation on the Severity and Duration of Upper Respiratory and Flu Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract: Treatment with Echinacea Plus tea at early onset of cold or flu symptoms was effective for relieving these symptoms in a shorter period of time than a placebo.

Cited by 85 publications

References 5 publications

Phenetic Comparison of Seven Echinacea Species Based on Immunomodulatory Characteristics

Phenetic Comparison of Seven Echinacea Species Based on Immunomodulatory Characteristics

A proprietary extract from the echinacea plant (Echinacea purpurea) enhances systemic immune response during a common cold

Echinacea species (Echinacea angustifolia (DC.) Hell., Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt., Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench): a review of their chemistry, pharmacology and clinical properties

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