Echinacea Purpurea Extract
History
Echinacea was one of the basic antimicrobial herbs of Eclectic medicine in the mid 1800s through the early 1900s and its use was documented for snakebite and anthrax. In the 1930s "Echinacea" became popular in both Europe and America as a herbal medicine.
Mode of action of Echinacea deciphered
Research has identified alkylamides as important active ingredients in Echinacea, as well as their mode of action in vitro and in vivo. The substances latch on to the immune cell's endocannabinoid receptors and thereby activate the immune system. The mixture used here, composed of 5% root and 95% stem, leaves and flowers, has proven to be efficacious in numerous comparative studies.
Prevention and treatment of colds
A meta-analysis of all in-vivo clinical research studies regarding the mode of action, prevention and treatment of colds with Echinacea are showing a new picture: those who took Echinacea as a prophylactic treatment had, during the cold season, more than 50% less risk of catching a cold compared to those who did not take Echinacea. Products with alcohol extracts of Echinacea have shown better results compared to juices.
