Echinacea

Question: How long should an echinacea tincture stay fresh in the fridge? I bought an echinacea tincture about 5 months ago, new and unopened in a bottle. I have kept it in the fridge since and forgot about it. I found it and decided to add it to my tea till it's gone (as long as it's still good). Anyway, how long do they stay fresh and potent in the fridge for? Thanks. I had no idea where to post this... Hope it's the correct section.

Answer: they should at least a few years. my mother uses them and has kept tinctures for years and they've been fine. if it's only been months then it's definitely fine -- when you start going on 4-5-6+ years then it will become less potent. eta: ahh, found something too: http://www.eclecticphysician.com/archive.php?action=Nbr&Nbr=68 (not too sure how credible the source is but it seems to go along with what I've heard).

Question: How long does it take for echinacea to work? I started getting sick 4-5 days ago, and my mom told me to take echinacea to help my immune system fight off my illness. I've been taking it for 3-4 days, but my symptoms are rapidly getting worse. Should I keep taking the echinacea and give it more time to take effect, or should I just give up and go to the doctor?

Answer: What kind of 'sick' are you? Cold? Flu? To what degree? What are your symptoms? What does 'rapidly getting worse' entail? What kind of Echinacea have you been taking? E purpurea? E angustifolia? In what form? Capsules? Alcohol tincture? Glycerite? What dosage have you been taking? There are just too many variables here. When I use Echinacea, I use a fresh autumn harvested root alcohol tincture in dropperful doses every hour. Capsules, pills, teas, and dry plant tinctures are pretty useless, as are most of the preparations I see in stores. The usual recommended dosages never reflect what one should be taking when they actually get sick. Since most of the Echinacea out there is produced and marketed by pharmaceutical companies, it is no wonder people don't know how to properly take it. Not that properly taking products that are inferior to begin with would really make any difference. There are so many options when dealing with 'sick', but knowing what exactly that means is crucial before giving any advice. You need to see someone who can properly assess your condition and make proper recommendations.

Question: What is the whole story on Echinacea? Is it still good for you? I had heard that Echinacea is not as safe as people first thought. Is it safe to use for short term? Can you take too much? What are the negative effects it can have on you?

Answer: Echinacea is safe for short term use -- however, there are some people for whom it is contra-indicated. Many herbs have interactions with other herbs and/or with pharmaceutical medications. Thus, yes, it is safe but you should not take any herbs or supplements without the advice of a qualified naturopathic physician who knows you and your entire health history as to what you personally need and in what dosage.

Question: What is the maximum safe number of milligrams of echinacea and goldenseal that I can take in one day? I have capsules that have both herbs in them. Please site a source of your information. I want to be safe with this. The bottle says to take 1-2 each day, but I believe I should be able to take more than that. If I took two capsules each day, that would give me 500mg of Echinacea and 250 mg of Goldenseal for the day. I am pretty sure in another brand that I have taken more than that before. Thanks for your help!

Answer: You can take up to three capsules a day. It is true that you should not take either one of them on an extended basis. They do work on an energetic level, but they also work on a chemical level as well (berberine, hydrastine, etc). You should know that: -- Enchinacea angustifolia root has the highest potency -- Goldenseal is endangered please only buy cultivated not wildcrafted -- Goldenseal should not be taken as a preventative -- Take echinacea as a preventative only if you are being exposed to an illness (i.e. you are the only person in your family who isn't already sick) -- it is my experience that Echinacea works better for colds (especially at the onset) and that Goldenseal works better for heat conditions in the mucous membranes. -- stay away from standardized remedies. They are only a marketing ploy by nutraceutical companies because whole plant remedies cannot be patented. Taking an isolated chemical from a plant isn't as effective as the whole plant because other active ingredients are being thrown away. If you are concerned about potency look for "assayed" remedies which means they measure the active ingredients for potency but don't use a chemical process on them. Eclectic is a good brand to look for.

Question: What part of the echinacea plant do you use as an herb? I grew myself an echinacea flower (purple cone flower)...I want to dry it for future use but I don't know if I dry just the leaves, just the flower, or the whole thing! Could you tell me the answer, Thanks!

Answer: I wish I knew the answer. We grow herbs- pineapple sage, basil, cilantro, lavendar, rosemary, dill and parsley (I *think* those all qualify as herbs). I will hazard a guess based on what I do, although I've never grown echinacea. When the plant is ready to dry, I cut it and tie it at the base of the stems, and then let them hang upside-down for about a week, or until dry depending on the humidity. I like to do it on my porch, which is sheltered from rain, but indoors is fine too. If you're making tea, I would guess that the leaves would be the best tasting part. Maybe the flower, depending on taste- it might be full of good properties, but bitter as hell. It's going to be a trial and error type-deal. You can also press the leaves and stems between wax paper and freeze it, but the freezing process will cause it to lose some of it's value and flavor. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck!

Question: Can I take Echinacea while on an immunosuppressant? I read that Echinacea can interfere with my immunosuppressant? I didn't realize until after I had been taking them both together for several days. Is this ok? Or should I stop drinking the Echinacea tea?

Answer: No, you shouldn't... that's like dousing yourself with water when you're trying to dry off. Echinacea is an immune system booster and would do the exact opposite as an immune system suppressant. If you would like to take Echinacea after your treatment, you can certainly talk to your doctor (or a doctor who is knowledgeable about supplements) about it. Good luck and I hope I helped!

Question: What can happen if you eat too many butter menthol's with echinacea? What can happen if you eat too many butter menthols with Echinacea? There the new ones but im addicted with this horrible flu like cold i have, is it bad to eat more then 24 in a day?

Answer: The echinacea is really hard on your liver. Eating more than about 15 in 48 hours is a serious health risks.

Question: Why would Echinacea be in a pot of chicken-noodle soup? My sister was reading a list to me, SIGNS YOU LIVE IN 2004. One of the signs was that 'you check pots of chicken-noodle soup to see if it has Echinacea in it' Echinacea, according to Wikipedia, is medicinal. The most common species is a pale pink-purple flower with long petals and a spiky orange centre.

Answer: Is it possible that the original article was ironic, in much the same way that this answer is rhetorical?

Question: Does anybody know of a good website about growing echinacea? I already googled echinacea and read every article on the first few pages but does anyone know of a really good site i can go to that says everything i need to know about it?

Answer: There are many pages dedicated to the medicinal attributes, but not so many about how to grow it. I found something in the BBC gardening section: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plantprofile_echinacea.shtml Good luck!

Question: Echinacea for kids at what age and how much should I be giving? My 2 year old (will be 3 in December) seems to be coming down with something. Is it safe to give him Echinacea? If yes, how much?

Answer: talk to a real doctor. but they'll tell you there are no credible studies linking echinacea to cold relief or prevention. Echinacea purpurea, vs. placebo, started at onset of sx for URI's (max 10d) was not ass'd with any sig. diff. in duration or severity of sx in a randomized tiral of 407 kids 2-11yo (JAMA 290:2824, 2003--abst)

Question: How long and how often to use Echinacea for BV? I was told echinacea cures Bacteria Vaginosis, how many capsules do you take a day and for how long do you take it? To get rid of the BV?

Answer: Adult For general immune system stimulation, during colds, flu, upper respiratory tract infections, or bladder infections, choose from the following forms and take three times a day generally for 7 - 10 days: 1 - 2 grams dried root or herb, as tea 2 - 3 mL of standardized tincture extract 6 - 9 ml of expressed juice (succus) 300 mg of standardized, powdered extract containing 4% phenolics Tincture (1:5): 1 - 3 mL (20 - 90 drops) Stabilized fresh extract: 0.75 mL (15 - 23 drops) Several laboratory and animal studies suggest that echinacea contains active substances that enhance the activity of the immune system, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. For this reason, professional herbalists may recommend echinacea to treat urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast (candida) infections, ear infections (also known as otitis media), athlete's foot, sinusitis, hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis), as well as slow-healing wounds.

Question: Is the Viridian Echinacea Root & Leaf extract safe for diabetes and osteoporosis? I want to give my father the Viridian Echinacea Root & Leaf extract, but im not sure whether it's okay for him. He has diabetes and osteoporosis, and you must always be careful with these things. Is it safe for him?

Answer: Echinacea is a natural remedy for battling cold and flu. It's an herbal treatment to stimulate immune function. I think it would be fine to give it to your father if he's getting sick. It doesn't have very many side effects whereas an antibiotic would have a lot of potential side effects. Echinacea is a "special occasion herb". I know some people who take it regularly as a supplement, but it is really most effective when you take it at the first sign of a cold (you know....when you get that little tickle in the back of your throat). If your father has any allergies, then you should be careful administering herbal treatments to him as this could cause a reaction. Also, anyone with Leukemia, MS, Tuberculosis, AIDS, Lupus, or any auto-immune disease should not take Echinacea. For safety purposes, I would consult an herbalist rather than a regular MD. Most doctors/pharmacists know very little about an herb like Echinacea as they only specialize in prescribing antibiotics. They pretty much go along with the FDA's false propaganda - that Echinacea does not have any medicinal benefits.

Question: Is Echinacea cream that is intended for human use okay to use on horses? I have a tube of bioforce Echinacea cream that I bought for my use only, but is it okay if I use it on my horse? Echinacea is all natural and made of herbs and plants but some plants are toxic to horses.....is echinacea??

Answer: Echinacea: Echinacea is fast becoming one of the most popular herbs used in equine diets and is one of the most effective immuno-stimulants for horses available. Echinacea provides antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immuno-stimulant and wound healing properties. Echinacea has proven to be highly effective as a prophylactic against infection in show and racehorses that are constantly exposed to viruses and bacterial agents.

Question: What part of the echinacea flower/plant is used to make the echinacea tea's and/or capsules? Im thinking of growing my own echinacea plants along with all my othe herbs, but i dont know why par of the plant you actually use.. would it be the leaf or the flower?

Answer: Forget your other answer Which part to use for echinacea herbal tea The leaves, flowers and roots are used for making the brew. Making herbal tea The standard way to make an infusion, unless otherwise specified, is to pour a cup of boiling water over the material to be infused, let it stand for 5 minutes, strain it, and drink it. Fresh plant material When the recipe refers to fresh plant material to be used, a 1/4 cup fresh material is used, following the method above. Dried material When the recipe refers to using dried material, use 2 teaspoons of material when making it. Bark or seeds Should the recipe call for bark or seeds to be used, use 2 teaspoons of seeds or 1 tablespoon of bark. Sweetening your infusion You could sweeten your health drink with honey, should you so require, and a dash of fresh lemon juice may also enhance the taste. OPEN THE LINK BELOW/*******for the warnings***********and the other recipies General warning when using herbal infusions http://www.ageless.co.za/echinacea.htm Good Luck

Question: Is echinacea worth using if you already have a cold? I have a packet of echinacea tablets which were recommended by a friend to prevent colds. I haven't taken them, and now I have a cold. Is it worth taking them now or is it too late?

Answer: Echinacea will strengthen your immune system so is helpful even if you already have a cold. (Next time, take echinacea and zinc at the first sign of symptoms.)

Question: Is gastrointestinal discomfort a side effect off taking echinacea? Just wondering if anyone else had stomach issues/diarrhea when using an echinacea supplement.

Answer: Although uncommon, allergic reactions to echinacea have been reported. Stop taking echinacea and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives. Other less serious side effects have also been infrequently reported. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience a fever, or nausea or vomiting. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. Time to talk to your doctor.