The available flu vaccine supply was cut in half last week when one of the two providers was shut down by British regulators.

Health agency bureaucrats, medical authorities and news media are in a panic about what to do.

The truth is that people should be thankful ... again.

Thanks again

It was native peoples who came to the rescue of 17th century European settlers in America saving many from death. It was at this autumn time of the year.

Many in this land may find relief at this autumn time of the year once again due to assistance from native peoples.

It was native peoples who shared with European settlers about the herb echinacea as a remedy for the flu.

Buried again

Echinacea is also called purple coneflower. It was the most popular prescribed medicine in America before the advent of antibiotics (Delicious! magazine, 1990). It is still widely prescribed in Europe.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the effectiveness of echinacea as a flu remedy more than a decade ago.

The WSJ article noted more than 300 echinacea products available in Germany alone. It also noted that these are covered by insurance there.

Other major newspapers such as the one at which I worked picked up the article. However, it was buried on page 21 at that newspaper.

The flu vaccine shortfall has the major news carriers offering many alternatives. Not one that I have seen has mentioned echinacea.

Revive us again?

A 1992 clinical study in Germany reported a "statistically significant" improvement in flu symptoms with echinacea use. However, enhanced effects were noted only with frequent doses totaling 180 drops daily from a liquid tincture form. Less than this quantity produced no effects at all.

The German study was of the "double blind" variety that American scientists favor. Yet American health professionals have paid little or no attention to echinacea.

Thinks again

"At best, it's probably not doing anything", noted Dr. Philip Askenase (Yale Medical School professor of immunology) in the WSJ article. He was contacted as "an expert".

However, Dr. Askenase called back after reviewing an echinacea pamphlet. He lessened the harshness of his remarks against echinacea. He also noted that he had learned his "children and their boyfriends are currently taking this stuff".

Apparently the "expert" had remarked upon echinacea without actually having expert knowledge on the subject.

Again and again

There are several varieties of echinacea. The most commonly available are angustifolia, pallida and purpurea.

Angustifolia was noted as a preferred variety in the WSJ article. It is usually a little harder to find and a little more costly as well.

Many herbalists also recommend the purpurea variety for flu. Most agree that the pallida variety is a lesser quality so it should not be a surprise that it tends to be less expensive.

It bears repeating that success with echinacea has been noted with repetition of its intake in the liquid form over and over throughout the course of a day.

Liquid forms are usually in an alcohol extract or a glycerite (in vegetable glycerine). The alcohol extract is more pungent with a bite to it. The glycerite is sweeter and most find this form easier to swallow.

Studies that are supportive of echinacea indicate that it hastens recovery from a cold or flu. Such studies note success when echinacea is taken only at the first signs of symptoms. That is also how herbalist literature and lore routinely has recommended echinacea.

Studies that are not supportive of echinacea are those in which individuals are given the herb as a preventative. Herbalist literature and lore does not commonly recommend this. However, these are the studies commonly cited by medical opponents of this herb.

Giving thanks again to the native peoples?

The flu vaccine shortage this year may be good reason to keep echinacea tincture on hand. Historically it has been noted as a help for centuries.

This may be another historic year for two reasons. A serious shortfall of flu vaccine availability is one reason. Rediscovery of benefits from echinacea may be another reason.