< previous page | page_67 | next page >
Page 67
| produced an immunodepressive action.42 The addition of viscum, an herb with significant biological activity, makes it difficult to interpret the results of this study. Other researchers have observed that maximum activity of echinacea occurs at day seven after echinacea has been given for five consecutive days.42 |
| Oftentimes, when a substance is taken on a continual basis, the body becomes desensitized to its stimulus. In such cases, it may not work when it's really needed. Though herbalists differ on this point, this may be the case with echinacea. Today it is included in countless nutritional supplements that are designed for daily long-term use. It may be some time before we know if this practice compromises the effectiveness of echinacea preparations. At this point in time, I believe that the small dosages represented in most of these preparations is insignificant and will not lead to any therapeutic problems, although it is certainly contributing to the decimation of wild plant populations. I recommend that echinacea only be used acutely as needed for systemic infections or, if desired, at the first signs of a cold or flu to help knock it out. However, at the first stage of sickness, a hot cup of ginger root or peppermint leaf tea with appropriate rest and extra vitamin C will probably do the same or better. It is better to hold off using echinacea until necessary. |
| Finding Quality Echinacea Products |
| As early as 1893, it was reported that many different species of plants had been commonly sold as echinacea. Some of these adulterations were honest mistakes made by pickers who did not have the |
< previous page | page_67 | next page >

If you like this book, buy it!