Find Out About Echinacea

 - When To Take It

In looking at echinacea and when to take it, there are a number of conflicting reports.

My herbal teacher taught me that echinacea was an effective preventative herb for colds and flu's. But www.consumerreports.org state that the "majority" of studies did not find that echinacea prevents colds.

They do agree that at the initial onset of cold, flu, or immune related symptoms, if you take echinacea it may reduce the length of time you are sick. In my own experience I have found echinacea most effective at this point also. And certainly taking echinacea when you are sick can make you feel better. Other herbs may be more effective at this point however - herbs like Yarrow, Elder, and Peppermint combined (my herbalist called this the YEP formula). She suggested that if you are already sick you might want to add cayenne. Lime flowers are also good for the common cold, especially in children, as it is very calming.

Another formula for echinacea with acute infections, is echinacea, picrorrhiza, yarrow, licorice, and ginger. She suggested this be taken 4 to 5 times a day.

Weiss (R Weiss, Herbal Medicine), on echinacea when to take, suggests also to take it at the first sign of symptoms. He suggests taking small doses, every 2 to 3 hours during the first couple of days of infection. If you're taking a tincture, you might take 5ml at a time. Or you could take 1 to 2 ml with the frequency Weiss suggests.

For more information on echinacea, see this article.