Echinacea

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Lynn Detamore <healthworks

Re: Digest Number 1594

 

Digest Number 1594, " " Echinacea - Cautions: There is much

debate about whether or not this plant is appropriate for those with

autoimmune diseases as it stimulates the immune system. Some sources say it

is contraindicated while other say it is indicated. I have chosen to not use

it in these persons unless I feel that it is indicated for a specific acute

pattern.

 

Lynn: interesting. I did not know there was any real debate, and understood

that even acute use of echinacea could provoke exacerbations of auto-immune

disorders. interesting that this is not always the case.

 

There is much debate, I have several Western herbalist colleagues who use it

in autoimmune disorders all the time with positive results, while others

have seen significant problems. Frankly, I'm not sure I understand why it

goes both ways. I have interviewed some of these folks but was unable to

come up with a rationale I could put in writting.

 

 

Lynn: just several years ago Harborview Medical Center, actually part of the

University of Washington, in Seattle, WA conducted an echinacea study. they

determined that chronic use of echinacea through cold and flu season was

less effective in preventing and minimizing colds and flu than just taking

the herb acutely, when needed for specific exposures to or symptoms of acute

infectious illness. it's acrid nature be the the reason why that's so.

 

I don't have that study in front of me, but I seem to remember that there

was significant methodology problems with it and it was dismissed by more

critical thinkers in the field. That being said, using Echinacea as a

prevetative is inappropriate use of the herb, with NO traditional or

ethnobotanical information to support such a use.

 

Thanks,

thomas

 

 

 

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