Echinacea

[Guest guest]

,

I agree. One must be very cautious about ingesting anything that may alter

immune system function, especially since nobody really understands the

immune system completely. We've discussed echinacea here before, and I

think, if one does choose to take it (or any sort of supplements, vitamins,

or over-the-counter medications), one's doctor needs to know. Nobody is

quite sure if echinacea stimulates the immune system or modulates the immune

system. Those who promote its use, even in automimmune settings, say that

the herb modulates the immune system.

Here's an interesting article entitled " Cautions with Echinacea in Auto

Immune Disease? "

http://medherb.com/92ECHAUT.HTM

Here is a very thorough look at echinacea:

http://onhealth.webmd.com/alternative/resource/herbs/item,15988.asp

----- Original Message -----

From: <k.j.choate@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Friday, October 27, 2000 4:19 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] First Enbrel Injection

> Lois & RA support friends-

>

> I would agree with you about taking care against colds &

> flu but I am worried about one suggestion you made.

> I don't know Enbrel first hand so I am not sure how it

> works - meaning I don't know if it works by supressing

> the immune system. With that in mind, I would however be

> very, very wary of taking ecchinacea with an autoimmune

> disease. Ecchinacea is meant to strengthen the immune

> response and most of us would be in rough shape if that

> happened too effectively. Most of the drugs I take for RA

> are immunosuppressive ( methotrexate, prednisone, and

> plaquenil combo.) I was told that taking ecchinacea would

> be counterproductive if not down right dangerous. I may

> be too conservative but I don't even take vitamins or

> herbal supplements without running by a doctor.

>

> The prednisone reduction tips and the 10 patient tips

> were wonderful.

>

> I too have had good fortune with RA doctors. My first

> rheumatologist was at St. Louis University (St. Louis

> MO). His name is Dr. Terry . I was in law & grad

> school and I credit him with seeing me through that

> process without dropping out. He and my family physician,

> Dr. Herbert Helmkamp, now deceased, were not only great

> Drs. but wonderful moral support. I credit them with

> keeping me walking and working.

>

> Here in Saginaw, Michigan, I have seen Dr. Tangsintanapas

> Penput. Her approach has been conservative but

> compassionate. Dr. Lamberto Eugenio covers for her when

> she is not in town and he has been great during a couple

> flares (always happens when my Dr. is out of town.) I

> also was impressed with the rheumatologist I saw at Mayo

> last spring on a multidisciplinary consult. His name was

> Dr. Mason. Very bright- very compassionate- very

> reassuring - not patronizing in the least. I am fortunate

> that I have a close friend who is a nurse and my

> (twin) sister's boyfriend who is a family practitioner. I

> try not to talk business with them - but I know they were

> lifesavers last winter when I developed the embolisms -

> they were very reassuring to my mom and sister. My friend

> Joan is going to spend the night at the hospital after my

> surgery in November (my own private nurse- how's that for

> service) and has taken the weekend off to be with

> Sharon and Mom ( and me.)

>

> My biggest complaint with medical personnel(not just

> docs) is their treatment of people as if they were their

> illness - and I think - when one has a chronic disease-

> they brush aside real pain issues. I'm sure its a defense

> mechanism but I am always tempted to tell them to try

> research (lab only) or pathology if they are unable to

> develop social skills. ( I actually had an LPN regale me

> with stories of people who died of embolisms while I was

> in the ICU stepdown unit - how sensitive huh?. I talked

> to her supervisor.) Oh well my experience is more good

> than bad however.

>

> Sorry this is my own digest. Thanks for all your

> suggestions.

>

>

[Guest guest]

My boyfriend and his mom are always getting me to take Echinacea when i feel

a cold coming on because i have no spleen so my immune system doesn't work as

well as it should. i can get very serious lung infections if i go to long

without going to the dr and whenever the kids or jason bring home a bug i get

it double and longer. any way i take the Echinacea and it helps alot for me

but it causes my stomach to get really upset. i take multi vitamans everyday

but when i first started taking them they would upset my stomach too. Even

when i was pregnant and was taking prenatal vitamans, those would upset my

stomach. Actually my last 2 kids the dr had me stop taking the prenatal

vitamans cause i was throwing up more when i took them even with meals. i

don't normally have a weak tummy but vitamans can be hard and forget about

taking iron supplements the not only gets me sick but makes so i can't poop

for about 2 weeks. lol. mom said its cause i have brown eyes. lol. any way i

was wondering if any one else has trouble taking vitamans. it seems that iam

the only one in my family that has this trouble.

shelly

[Guest guest]

-

Thanks for the excellent info. My doctor told me to

avoid the ecchinacea outright - and I have chronic sinus

problems. Guess minds really differ on the drug.

[Guest guest]

,

I can't take vitamins either. They make me sick as well. I could never

take the prenatal vits either. Or iron. YOu're not alone. *g* And I

tried echinacea as well. It made me sick. I once gave it to my son to

ward off a cold because a friend of mine swore by it. It made him vomit.

Jenna

FREE SPIRIT - Starlight Writers Publications

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[Guest guest]

I don't know what the discussion was regarding Echinacea; I stepped in at the

middle or end. All I know is that people who have auto immune diseases are

warned not to take echinacea which would include rheumatoid arthritis and

lupus amongst a few. It is an herb that stimulates the immune system and for

those with auto immune disease the immune system is over active and needs to

be turned down because it does not recognize good cells and tissue from bad

so therefore kills the good with the bad. It sounds like an over

simplification but there is a warning on many bottle of echinacea that people

with auto immune diseases should not take it.

Jeannette

[Guest guest]

,

Stomach upset is one of the most common problems with vitamins, especially

if they contain iron.

Pat

[Guest guest]

Hi , try taking your meds after a full meal. I had the same prob.

especially iron. It made me very ill unless taken on a full stomach. As for

your other prob. Metamucil works wonders but you have to take it every day

when on iron.Hope thes tips help. Judy from Indy.

[Guest guest]

Echinacea Purpurea TRADITIONAL USE: Helpful in building resistance to infections of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Used for inflammatory conditions, bacterial and viral infections, yeast infections, cold and flu. Better known as an immune system stimulant. Classification: Mucilaginous herb. Cool energy. Echinacea Purpurea is the Latin name for an herb native to the central and southwestern U.S. The plants grow in open fields and rocky soils, and bear purple flowers which resemble black-eyed susans. Echinacea was widely used by the plains Indians. American settlers also adopted its use, and the herb has been valued by natural health care advocates since. It has been one of the most scientifically studied herbs, especially in Europe. In 1972, a study appeared in the Journal of Medical Chemistry showing that an Echinacea extract inhibited tumor growth en rats. Echinacea is

very high in chromium, iron, manganese, niacin, riboflavin, selenium and vitamin C. (Nature's sunshine) Native Americans were the first to use Echinacea to treat coughs, colds and sore throats. Over 350 scientific studies indicate Echinacea provides wound healing, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity. Echinacea works with your body's natural defenses to help protect against invading microorganisms. Echinacea's powerful antioxidants, and many other beneficial elements, make it the perfect nutritional supplement. (The Herbalist, Spring 1997) We owe Native Americans a debt of gratitude for introducing the settlers to the wonders of this purple cone-flower plant. Indians of the Great Plains first used this herb as a remedy for snakebites and other skin wounds. They also applied the root of this plant directly to the mouth for toothaches and sore throats. Word of echinacea's

healing properties traveled back to Europe where it is one of the most sough-after herbs and one of the better researched as well. There is renewed interest in echinacea today in the United States because of this herb's positive effect on the immune system. Many studies have shown that echinacea prevents the formation of an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which destroys a natural barrier between healthy tissue and unwanted pathogenic organisms. Thus, echinacea helps the body maintain its line of defense against unwanted invaders, especially viruses. In 1972, a study appeared in the Journal of the Medical Chemistry showing that an echinacea extract inhibited tumor growth in rats. Echinacea function in patients receiving chemotherapy. In 1978, a study in Planta Medica showed that a root extract destroyed both herpes and influenza viruses. Several European studies show that echinacea appears to lessen the severity of colds and flu, and helps speed

recovery. Echinacea has also been used successfully to treat candida, an annoying and persistent fungal infection. Infact, patients treated with an antifungal cream and echinacea extract were less likely to suffer a recurrence than those treated soley with the antifungal cream. Other studies show that echinacea has been used successfully to treat psoriasis and eczemza. Many of the active compounds in echinacea can be destroyed during processing. Freeze drying is the most effective way to preserve this herb's healing properties. A fully potent echinacea preparation will create a tingling sensation on the tongue. If yours doesn't, you're missing out on some important compounds. (Earl Mindell's, Herb Bible) Resembling a black-eyed , echinacea or purple coneflower is a North American perennial that is indigenous to the central plains where it grows on road banks, prairies, fields and in dry, open woods. It is also

called snake root because it grows from a thick black root that Indians used to treat snake bites. Herbalists consider Echinacea one of the best blood purifiers and an effective antibiotic. It activates the body's immune system increasing the chances of fighting off any disease. This popular herb has been used to help ward off the common cold and to relieve the symptoms of hay fever. The Plains Indians used various species of echinacea to treat poisonous insect and snake bites, toothaches, sore throat, wounds, as well as mumps, smallpox, and measles. The settlers quickly adopted the therapeutic use of the plant, and since that time it has become one of the top selling herbs in the United States. Since the early 1900's hundreds of scientific articles have been written about echinacea. Most of the research during the past 10 years has focused on the immunostimulant properties of the plant. The constituents of echinacea

include essential oil, polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, betain, glycoside, sesquiterpenes and caryophylene. It also contains copper, iron, tannins, protein, fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and E. The most important immune-stimulating components are the large polysaccharides, such as inulin, that increase the production of T-cells and increase other natural killer cell activity. Fat-soluble alkylamides and a caffeic acid glycoside called echinacoside also contribute to the herb's immune empowering effects. It has been shown in animal and human studies to improve the migration of white blood cells to attack foreign microorganisms and toxins in the bloodstream. Research suggests that echinacea's activity in the blood may have value in the defense of tumor cells. Echinacea properties may offer benefit for nearly all infectious conditions. Studies show echinacea prevents the formation of an enzyme which destroys a natural barrier between healthy

tissue and damaging organisms. Echinacea is considered an effective therapeutic agent in many infectious conditions including upper respiratory infections, the common cold and sinusitis. The herb is a mild antibiotic that is effective against staph and strep infections. Echinacea aids in the production of interferon has increases antiviral activity against, influenza (flu), herpes, an inflammation of the skin and mouth. It may reduce the severity of symptoms such as runny nose and sore throat and reduce the duration of illness. Echinacea's antibacterial properties can stimulate wound healing and are of benefit to skin conditions such as burns, insect bites, ulcers, psoriasis, acne and eczema. It's anti-inflammatory properties may relieve arthritis and lymphatic swelling. It has also been used in homeopathy treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome, indigestion, gastroenteritis, and weight loss. (Herbal Information

Center) USES: Echinacea was one of the most important herbs of Native Americans. It was used for snakebites, venomous insect bites and burns. They knew of echinacea root as a blood cleanser for boils, septic sores and abscesses. Modern research has since confirmed the antibacterial properties of echinacea root. It has been found to strengthen and stimulate the immune system. Echinacea increases the ability of the body to resist infections. It is known as the King of Blood Purifiers for it's ability to remove toxins from the blood. Echinacea improves the lymphatic filtration and drainage. A natural antibiotic, it has been used in conjunction with Chickweed to aid in weight loss. Anti-viral, Anti-catarrhal, Alterative, and Immunostimulant. A few of the many conditions which have been treated with Echinacea are: Animal or insect bites, burns, impetigo, diaper rash, acne, skin ulcer, celiac disease, food

poisoning, gastroenteritis, indigestion/heartburn, influenza, viral infections, sinusitis, rhinitis (common cold), chronic fatigue syndrome, food sensitivities, hayfever, mononucleosis and rheumatoid arthritis. (Health Trek) MEDICINAL ACTION AND USES---Echinacea increases bodily resistance to infection and is used for boils, erysipelas, septicaemia, cancer, syphilis and other impurities of the blood, its action being antiseptic. It has also useful properties as a strong alterative and aphrodisiac. As an injection, the extract has been used for haemorrhoids and a tincture of the fresh root has been found beneficial in diphtheria and putrid fevers. (Botanical

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