Echinacea Literature Review
The Effectiveness of Echinacea in the Treatment of the Common Cold
Abstract
Since ancient times humans have been using herbal medicine to treat and ward off any potential illnesses. One such herb is called Echinacea. It is part of the daisy family and is believed to treat and prevent the common cold. There have been many studies done to find out whether or not the Echinacea plant is efficient in being used as an herbal medicine. Skeptics and believers alike have done many clinical trials. Though there are many people who use Echinacea, how many of them truly know that it works for their symptoms? Does it really help to treat and prevent the severity and duration of the common cold? (109 words)
The Effectiveness of Echinacea for the Treatment of the Common Cold: A Review of the Literature
We call it the “common cold” for good reason. There are over one billion colds in the United States each year. The common cold generally involves a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms. Over 200 viruses can cause a cold. The cold can last anywhere from seven to ten days, depending on the type of virus one is infected with. The usual treatment of a cold is plenty of rest and fluids. Most people follow that advice along with an over the counter medicine to ease their symptoms, but some supplement that with an herbal remedy called Echinacea. Before examining some of the literature on the Echinacea, it is necessary to understand it. Echinacea is a part of the daisy family and is often called “purple flower” or “cone flower” because of its color and shape. Most would not necessarily recognize it in its natural, wild form. The flower is native to the north eastern parts of the United States and any open, wooded area. Native Americans thought that Echinacea had many healing properties and nowadays it is believed to have many immune boosting powers. It is usually taken in a pill form from the
Abstract
Since ancient times humans have been using herbal medicine to treat and ward off any potential illnesses. One such herb is called Echinacea. It is part of the daisy family and is believed to treat and prevent the common cold. There have been many studies done to find out whether or not the Echinacea plant is efficient in being used as an herbal medicine. Skeptics and believers alike have done many clinical trials. Though there are many people who use Echinacea, how many of them truly know that it works for their symptoms? Does it really help to treat and prevent the severity and duration of the common cold? (109 words)
The Effectiveness of Echinacea for the Treatment of the Common Cold: A Review of the Literature
We call it the “common cold” for good reason. There are over one billion colds in the United States each year. The common cold generally involves a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms. Over 200 viruses can cause a cold. The cold can last anywhere from seven to ten days, depending on the type of virus one is infected with. The usual treatment of a cold is plenty of rest and fluids. Most people follow that advice along with an over the counter medicine to ease their symptoms, but some supplement that with an herbal remedy called Echinacea. Before examining some of the literature on the Echinacea, it is necessary to understand it. Echinacea is a part of the daisy family and is often called “purple flower” or “cone flower” because of its color and shape. Most would not necessarily recognize it in its natural, wild form. The flower is native to the north eastern parts of the United States and any open, wooded area. Native Americans thought that Echinacea had many healing properties and nowadays it is believed to have many immune boosting powers. It is usually taken in a pill form from the
References: Barrett, B, Brown, R, & Mundt, M. (2010). Echinacea for treating the common cold. Annals of Internal Medicine, 153, 769-777. Retrieved from http://www.annals.org/site/collections/rct_pdf/0000605-201012210-00003.pdf Barrett, B, Locken, K, & Maberry, R. (2002). Treatment of the common cold with unrefined echinacea. Annals of Internal Medicine, 137, 939-946. Retrieved from http://www.annals.org/content/137/12/939.full Taylor, J, Weber, W, Quinn, H, & Goesling, J. (2003). Efficacy and safety of echinacea in treating upper respiratory tract infections in children. JAMA, 290, 2824-2830. Retrieved from http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/290/21/2824 Lindenmuth, E, & Lindenmuth, G. (2000). The efficacy of echinacea herbal compound tea preparation on the severity and duration of upper respiratory and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, 6, 327-334. Retrieved from http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/data/fe/file/clinical_pdfs/echinecea_plus_study.pdf