Echinacea May Help to Prevent Common Cold

In that previous studies of Echinacea purpurea have yielded inconsistent findings as to the herb’s potential role for prevention of the common cold, Ronald Eccles, from Cardiff University (United Kingdom), and colleagues enrolled 755 healthy men and women in a study in which each subject received either an extract prepared from harvested E. purpurea (95% herba and 5% root), or placebo.  The investigators collected data relating to safety and efficacy, for a total of 2,868 months.  They observed that 293 adverse events occurred with Echinacea (306 were reported with placebo), and that those subjects who took the echinecea fell ill with 149 bouts (as compared to 188 in the placebo group).  Writing that: “Echinacea showed maximal effects on recurrent infections, and preventive effects increased with therapy compliance and adherence to the protocol,” the study authors conclude that: “Compliant intake of Echinacea purpurea over a 4-month period appeared to provide a positive risk to benefit ratio.”