An effective botanical remedy for colds?

The answer to the health quiz is A, echinacea. Echinacea, is a derivative of the purple coneflower, is sold over-the-counter as a cold remedy and booster to the immune system.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin in Madison tested the plant extract and reported in the December issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, "there is no clear consensus about whether echinacea can benefit human health." The study documented the affect of echinacea in a capsule form against a placebo pill taken by college students who had at least two cold symptoms for less than 36 hours and were not already taking cold medicine. Participants took the capsules until cold symptoms improved or for 10 days maximum. The researchers found no differences in cold duration or symptom severity between the two groups. Colds lasted an average of six days for people in both groups.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Bruce Barrett, notes that botanical products vary depending on the source of the plant extract, extraction method and growing conditions. He said studies of a different form of echinacea might yield different results and that more research is needed to fully determine whether or not echinacea is a valid cold remedy.

Resources:

Read the "Summaries for Patients" from the report in the Annals of Internal Medicine. (PDF file)