December 15, 2003 – Echinacea does not reduce the duration and intensity of the common cold in children, study finds1 recently published.
For example, echinacea supplements given to more than 500 children between the ages of two and eleven have not been shown to be more effective than a placebo in combating fever, sneezing and rhinorea (runny nose). (See the comment of Dr. Isabelle Marc on this subject).
However, Mark Blumenthal, who heads the American Botanical Council, an independent body that studies herbal medicine, notes that echinacea supplements were only given after the onset of at least two symptoms. He recalls that these supplements seem to be especially effective if they are taken at the first signs of a cold.
Blumenthal also points out that there were a total of 33 fewer colds in the group taking echinacea, which may indicate that the supplements have some preventative effect. The researcher responsible for the study disputes this conclusion, however, saying that the research was not designed to measure the preventive effect of echinacea, but its curative effect.
Finally, the group taking echinacea also seemed to be at greater risk of developing a rash. Mr Blumenthal believes it could be due to a reaction to the pollen in the flower used to make the supplements. He points out that many echinacea supplements are instead prepared with the root of the plant.
Echinacea sales exceed US $ 300 million annually in the United States. The supplements are available as drops, tablets and tablets.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to Associated Press; December 3, 2003.
1. Taylor JA, Weber W, Standish L, Quinn H, Goesling J, McGann M, Calabrese C. Efficacy and safety of echinacea in treating upper respiratory tract infections in children: a randomized controlled trial.JAMA 2003 Dec 3; 290 (21): 2824-30.