Supplement Week: Echinacea: An Immune System Threat?

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Supplement Week: Echinacea: An Immune System Threat?

 

My doctor told me that long-term use of echinacea over-stimulates the immune

system. What is your opinion? What does it mean to over-stimulate the immune

system?

 

-- Lynne Goodman

 

 

Answer (Published 09/02/2003)

 

 

(The following was originally published 11/07/2002.)

 

Echinacea, from the dried root and leaves of the purple coneflower, Echinacea

purpurea and related species found in many North American gardens, stimulates

the immune system. Many people take it to prevent and treat common colds and

other minor infections. The recommended adult dose is two capsules of

freeze-dried extract four times a day or one teaspoon of the tincture in a

little warm water at the same frequency. People also take echinacea to enhance

immunity in the absence of infection – for this purpose, half the usual dose is

sufficient.

 

I’m not aware of any research showing that long-term use of echinacea

over-stimulates the immune system. Indeed, I’ve found no evidence to support the

opposing widespread belief that, taken long-term, echinacea loses its

effectiveness.

 

(For that matter, I’ve seen no evidence to support using it to protect against

colds.) Its active components are quite similar to those of other

immune-boosting plants (like the Chinese herb Astragalus membranaceous) that

people take on a long-term basis. While I don’t recommend its long-term use, I

don't think taking echinacea regularly is likely to pose a problem for most

people.

 

In theory, an “over-stimulated” immune system could cause allergies or

autoimmunity. To be prudent, I advise people with diseases like rheumatoid

arthritis or lupus to avoid long-term use of any of the immune-enhancing

botanicals. But I think it’s perfectly fine for them to take echinacea or

astragalus short-term (up to 10 days or so) to treat colds and other minor

infections.

 

Dr. Andrew Weil

www.drweil.com

_________________

 

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