Echinacea

A large number of studies have either proven or cast doubt on the effect of remedies made from echinacea extracts. For the naturopathic pioneer Alfred Vogel (1902 - 1996), the mode of action of his best-known remedy, Echinaforce, made from the fresh plants of the red coneflower(Echinacea purpurea), was based on experience. Now, a study by a research team led by Dr. Jürg Gertsch from the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at ETH Zurich, which was funded by Bioforce AG (Roggwil), has for the first time demonstrated a mechanism of action of echinacea on the cells of the immune system at the molecular biological level, as was reported in a press release on Monday. The current research work is causing a stir among experts worldwide, not least because the effect of echinacea is currently also being investigated at various other research institutes. The proof was provided by an in-vitro experiment: cells were first cultivated from human blood, to which liquid extract of Echinacea purpurea was added in a test tube. Gertsch: "An infection was then simulated and the effect of the fresh plant tincture and finally individual ingredients on the behavior of genes in the immune cells was investigated. We saw that the cells produced special proteins that play an important role in the human immune system." The team also discovered that the astonishing effect was primarily triggered by one of the ingredients of the echinacea plant, known as alkylamides. These substances are structurally similar to the endocannabinoids that are produced in our bodies. In various steps and using computer models, it was demonstrated how certain surface structures of the immune system (so-called receptors) can recognize the alkylamides contained in Echinaforce. If alkylamides bind to the receptors, an abundance of signals are triggered in the cell, which ultimately trigger the observed tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) modulation. According to Gertsch, the following aspect is interesting: the alkylamides bind to a cannabinoid receptor, CB2, which is expressed on immune cells and CB1, which is primarily active in the brain and central nervous system. Work is currently being carried out on the more precise characterization of these interactions as part of a doctoral thesis.

Effect

Echinacea increases the number of leukocytes and spleen cells and thus promotes the non-specific immune system. It is therefore ideal for the supportive treatment of recurring infections in the respiratory tract and urinary tract. It can also be used externally for poorly healing, superficial wounds.

New studies

According to a recent study by American and Austrian experts, echinacea preparations, which many people take for coughs, colds and hoarseness, are ineffective.

The phytopharmaceutical did not protect test subjects from infection, nor was it suitable for treating an existing illness. The scientists published their results in the latest issue of the most internationally renowned medical journal, the New England Journal of Medicine (July 28).

Chemically precisely defined mixture analyzed

"Echinacea is often used as a herbal remedy for the treatment of common colds. There are contradictory study results about its effectiveness.

There is also a whole range of echinacea products with different compositions on the market. We have investigated the effect of chemically (precisely, note) defined extracts of Ecinacea angustifolia roots on rhinovirus infections," write Ronald B. Turner (University of Virginia/Charlotteville) and the co-authors. Among them is Rudolf Bauer, head of the Department of Pharmacognosy at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Graz. Over 400 people treated with echinacea extracts... The scientific investigation was extremely complex. First, standardized echinacea extracts were prepared using carbon dioxide, 60 or 20 percent alcohol and matching placebo solutions. Between May 2002 and March 2004, a total of six groups of 437 test subjects were then randomly treated prophylactically or therapeutically with the echinacea or sham preparations (250 of the test subjects). ... and infected with rhinovirus 39 viruses For prevention, the test subjects were artificially infected with rhinovirus 39 viruses seven days after the start of prophylaxis; for therapy, treatment began on the day of the artificial infection. The test subjects were each isolated in a hotel room. The frequency of infection, duration of illness and severity of symptoms as well as the possible influence of the treatment on the immune system were investigated.

Result: Echinacea (almost) ineffective The results of the scientific study, which was sponsored by the US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, are likely to deal a severe blow to echinacea preparations:

• The infection rate with rhinoviruses in those treated with echinacea was between 81 and 89 percent, depending on the group.
• In the placebo groups, infection rates of between 85 and 92 percent were recorded.
• Symptoms of a rhinovirus infection developed in between 50 and 62 percent of the test subjects in the echinacea groups and between 64 and 74 percent in the placebo groups.

Strengthening of the immune system could not be proven

The scientists: "Prophylaxis with the echinacea extracts had no significant effect on rhinovirus infections (...). There was also no effect of prophylaxis or treatment on the course of the disease." Neither prophylaxis nor treatment with the echinacea preparations had a significant effect on the interleukin-8-mediated immune response or the activation of immune cells. A strengthening of the body's defenses was repeatedly cited as the mechanism for the alleged effect of echinacea products.

Variety of preparations

"There are a large number of very different echinacea preparations. This is different from aspirin, where I know that one tablet contains 500 milligrams of acetylsalicylic acid. There are three types of Echinacea. Some producers use the roots, some the aerial parts of the plant ("coneflower"). Then there are also alcohol extracts, pressed juices and tea preparations," said Rudolf Bauer, co-author of the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

No generalization to all echinacea products

According to the expert, it is therefore only possible to make statements about the preparations used in the study. It is not possible to generalize about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of all echinacea products.

Different production in the USA and Europe

In the US study, Echinacea angustifolia extracts (from the roots) were tested. This type of coneflower is popular in the United States.

A preparation with a large market volume in Europe is produced from Echinacea purpurea. Bauer: "This has shown efficacy in some studies. But here, too, the data situation is somewhat contradictory."

Inconsistent data situation

In the near future, the Cochrane Society will publish a review paper for doctors on the subject of echinacea preparations.

According to the pharmacognosy expert from Graz, this will also state that there are individual scientific studies showing a positive effect of the medication against common colds, but the data situation is inconsistent.

Here are a few discussions about the current study: (ORF ON Sciense/ News)

durendal | 28.07, 17:10 the experts are no good

rfo1 | 28.07, 12:35 Not all preparations made from root. The echinacea product I use is not made from the root, but from the coneflower. It certainly helps me.

short skirt | 28.07, 12:07 well, you'll probably have to order a new study somewhere quickly anyone who is familiar with the popular method in Vienna, for example ("we examine textiles for money and are sure to find carcinogenic substances inside" - headlines are guaranteed), knows that this is just a question of whether/who will back the project.

allg | 28.07, 11:36 Placebo effect Echinacea helps me very well, even if it is only the placebo effect. But perhaps this should not be underestimated and should be encouraged. The success of placebo preparations as a cheap and highly effective medicine should not be underestimated, because a lot of illnesses are also psychological.

rannug | 28.07, 12:03 If you know about it, then it can no longer be a placebo effect. A placebo effect is when you believe that you are taking an effective remedy and in reality it is not. If you assume from the outset that it is a placebo, it is no longer a placebo. So it must be something else that works.

lllll | 28.07, 11:01 So what now? the European version works and the US version doesn't, or what?

radiodoc | 28.07, 10:19 dear editors, this has nothing to do with homeopathy.

New studies perhaps?

After the failure, Turner and colleagues want to continue the study with higher doses and other variants of Echinacea. For Straus, who heads the Institute for Alternative Medicine at the NIH, only one conclusion remains: "We must finally stop attributing any effect to echinacea." According to the American Botanical Council, an institution that monitors the sale of vitamins and other over-the-counter remedies, Americans spent 155 million dollars (128 million euros) on echinacea last year. An accompanying commentary in the journal states that echinacea became popular in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century as a remedy for respiratory diseases.

The authors cannot rule out the possibility that other echinacea preparations or the one tested are effective for other infections. However, they believe that their study, like previous ones, points to the lack of efficacy of echinacea. Therefore, those who are convinced of a benefit should initiate an appropriate study.

Need in sport

Echinacea improves oxygen transport from the lungs to the muscle groups involved in exercise. This can lead to a noticeable easing of the strain and improved performance during endurance training. Since fat is used as an energy source during endurance training, it is possible that echinacea also improves fat burning. The intake of echinacea can increase blood volume, which can have a positive effect on both weight training and endurance training. The increased blood volume improves training efficiency, which means that you can achieve more power with the same pulse rate. In other words, the heart muscle can pump more blood through the system per beat.

Numerous competitive athletes regularly use echinacea in preparation for competitions to protect themselves against possible weaknesses in the immune system.

Safety and side effects

Echinacea is probably safe and harmless for most people for short-term use. There is not enough information to know whether long-term use of echinacea is safe and harmless. Some side effects that have been reported include fever, nausea, vomiting, unpleasant taste in the mouth, stomach pain, diarrhea, sore throat, dry mouth, headache, numbness of the tongue, dizziness, insomnia, disorientation, and joint and muscle pain.

Echinacea is potentially safe and harmless for children. It appears to be safe and harmless for most children aged 2 to 11 years. However, about 7% of these children will develop a skin rash, which could be due to an allergic reaction. There are concerns that allergic reactions may be more severe in some children. For this reason, there is a recommendation that echinacea should not be given to children under the age of 12.

Echinacea may be more likely to cause allergic reactions in children and adults who are allergic to broomrape, chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies. For this reason, you should speak to your doctor before using echinacea if you suffer from allergies.

Applying echinacea to the skin may cause redness, itching or rashes.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the safety of echinacea during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid echinacea to be on the safe side.

"Autoimmune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis or others: Echinacea may have an effect on the immune system that could exacerbate these conditions. For this reason, echinacea should not be used if you suffer from any of these diseases.

A congenital tendency to allergies: people suffering from this condition are more likely to develop allergic reactions to echinacea. It is best to avoid echinacea if you suffer from this condition.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining echinacea with the following medications:

Caffeine

The body breaks down caffeine in order to excrete it. Echinacea may reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking echinacea in combination with caffeine may result in high levels of caffeine in the blood and increase the risk of side effects. Common side effects include shakiness, restlessness, headaches and rapid heartbeat.

Drugs that are broken down by the liver (cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)

Some drugs are broken down by the liver. Echinacea can influence the rate at which the liver breaks down certain medicines. Taking echinacea in combination with drugs that are broken down by the liver could increase the effects and side effects of some drugs. For this reason, you should consult your doctor before taking echinacea if you are taking medication that is broken down by the liver.

Drugs that are broken down by the liver (cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)

Some drugs are broken down by the liver. Echinacea can reduce the rate at which the liver breaks down certain drugs. Taking echinacea in combination with drugs that are broken down by the liver could increase the effects and side effects of some drugs. For this reason, you should consult your doctor before taking echinacea if you are taking medication that is broken down by the liver.

Medications that reduce the function of the immune system

Echinacea appears to improve the function of the immune system. By improving the function of the immune system, echinacea may reduce the effectiveness of drugs that reduce the function of the immune system.

Care should be taken when combining Echinacea with the following medications:

Midazolam

Taking midazolam with echinacea could increase the amount of midazolam absorbed by the body. This could increase the effects and side effects of midazolam, but more information is needed.

Conclusion

Every person is different! For one person, various substances or plant extracts have no effect at all and for another, it is the best thing they have ever taken. We athletes know this problem all too well. Perhaps a better effect could be achieved by taking echinacea together with another substance. You should never be satisfied with results that are perhaps funded or supported by a pharmaceutical giant that only benefits from it. The key word, as always, is trial and error. The recommended dose of Echinacea is 200 to 400 mg two to three times a day, either alone or in combination with other immune enhancing herbs. There have been no reports of side effects when echinacea is taken at the above recommended dosages. Anyone who has achieved good results should not stop taking it. Because a statement like >>not very effective<< is very far from a result that >>is ineffective<

My opinion is: thanks to Echinacea, training is easier and you can train more effectively.

References

1. Caruso TJ, Gwaltney JM Jr Et al: Treatment of the common cold with echinacea: a structured review. Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Mar 15;40(6):807-10. epub 2005 Feb 18.
2. Gerald Klose, Manfred Schubert-Zsilavecz, Dieter Steinhilber, Hans-Peter Volz, Hans Wolff: Lifestyle drugs. What is Mache, what is it? Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2001, ISBN 3-8047-1765-9.
3. Inge Hofmann, Arnold Hilgers: Fitmacher fürs Immunsystem. Goldmann, 1999, ISBN 3-4421-6178-9.
4. Dietrich Frohne: Dictionary of medicinal plants. A guide on a scientific basis. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft, Stuttgart, 2002, ISBN 3-8047-1897-3.
5. "New England Journal of Medicine" (vol. 353, p. 341)