Biologically speaking how does it boost your immune system and why is it not good to take it for too long?
2007-02-12 22:19:20 · 7 answers · asked by mattJ 3 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
What studies have 'proven' it dosen't work? Maybe it's in my head but I really believe that it DOES work.
2007-02-12 22:35:49 · update #1
Because it can be toxic if taken for long periods!
Four points,
I read that in some countries this product cannot be sold in health food shops--like st. johns wort. i.e. possible risks.
It can be toxic, this is why it should not be taken long term.
The liquid form, extracted by alcohol, is supposed to be better than tablets.
Some is made from the whole plant, some from the roots and some from the flowers of the plant! i.e. Not a standard product.
2007-02-13 03:34:19 · answer #1 · answered by brian t 5 · 5⤊ 3⤋
Thats strange because my doctor actually recommended it to me when I had a long standing virus, but she did say to get the drops not the capsules because they are a lot more expensive.
She said not to take it all the time because your body builds up a resistance to it and it is not as effective.
2007-02-13 07:49:58 · answer #2 · answered by Jen G 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It boosts the immune system and stimulates cells, increases production of lymphocytes and macrophages, increases the action of Interferon and is a herbal remedy agains the effects of colds and influenza - not a cure!
2007-02-13 06:27:34 · answer #3 · answered by MANCHESTER UK 5 · 7⤊ 2⤋
I find that works well, particularly when using it in conjunction with Vicks First Defence nasal spray.
2007-02-14 05:39:16 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs B 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not at all!
I have been a doctor for over three decades and I have to say I have never really understood why patients rush to throw away their hard earned money on quack remedies rather than go to their GP which is free!
Interestingly it is one of only a small group of complementary therapies that have been subjected to controlled scientific study. The classical tool of the double blind cross over study was applied to it by a group of doctors.
A group of patients was given either placebo (blank) capsules or echinacea and the effect on their colds were studied.
The echinicea group got slightly more colds and they lasted slightly longer than the untreated group!
Though this was not statistically significant enough to suggest that the echinacea made you worse, it clearly showed that it made nobody better!
2007-02-13 06:37:57 · answer #5 · answered by Dr Frank 7 · 4⤊ 7⤋
it doesnt work its been pretty well established to be a failure by clinical studies. there were a couple studies awhile back that found that it worked a little bit, but they had some flaws and the bulk of evidence has been that it works no better than a placebo
2007-02-13 06:26:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 9⤋
this echinacea has been proven to be hogwash and a waste of money...
2007-02-13 06:22:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 12⤋