New research has confirmed the benefits of echinacea in reducing the risk and duration of colds.
In the latest study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, echinacea supplements have been found more than halve the chances of a cold and reduce their duration by around one and a half days.[1]
"Alkamides which are the key component of echinacea, they strengthen the immune system thereby increasing resistance to infection and helping to relieve cold symptoms," says Pam Stone, Blackmores Naturopath and Director of Education.
The research, a meta-analysis of 14 studies showed that echinacea decreases the odds of a patient contracting a cold by 58 per cent. Echinacea was also found to decrease the duration of cold by 1.4 days.
Echinacea is a group of nine flowering plant species that are native to North America and has traditionally been used by Sioux Indians as a potent immune enhancer. Echinacea has been widely used for the relief of symptoms of mild upper respiratory tract infections such as colds and flu.
1. Kerr, M. Echinacea cuts colds incidence. Scientific American. (accessed 28 September 2006).