It was native peoples who came to the rescue of 17th century European settlers in America about to die of starvation. It was at this autumn time of the year.

Some in this land may find relief at this autumn time of the year once again due to assistance from native peoples. Native peoples also shared with European settlers about the herb echinacea as a remedy for the flu. This autumn time of the year is the beginning of the flu season in America.

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 several years ago. The article was picked up by other major newspapers, although it was buried on page 21 of the newspaper in which I read it.

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

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 a bare minimum of 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.

Once again, 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. Vegetable glycerine also has its own healing attributes as well.

Studies that are supportive of echinacea indicate that it prevents the flu the majority of the time. When the flu does occur anyway proper echinacea use reduces severity of symptoms and 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 on a regular basis as a preventative, or in capsule or tablet form, or extracts that are less than 100 per cent. Herbalist literature and lore does not commonly recommend this. However, these are the studies commonly cited by medical opponents of this herb.

Does that surprise you?