Echinacea is the best selling dietary supplement in the world, yet important questions about its use persist. For instance, which of the Echinacea plant's components produce healthful benefits, and are those particular components included in every commercial mixture? A recent study conducted at Southwestern University in Tempe, Ariz., provides some answers to these questions, and indicates that the kind of Echinacea you take this winter makes a difference in how effectively you fight off colds and flu.
The double-blind, placebo controlled study, completed in early November, indicates that Echinacea works best when it is standardized to a highly effective immune boosting component--a substance called Arabinogalactan (AG).
AG is found primarily in the bottom halves of larch trees, but is also contained in whole Echinacea plants. Until now, experts have debated whether using the entire Echinacea plant in commercial preparations was necessary; some believed using certain parts of the plant sufficed. One of the blood markers chosen for the study was properdin. Properdin is an immune-related blood protein which indicates stimulation of the complement immune system.
What does this mean for consumers? Consumers should look carefully at contents when selecting Echinacea products," said Dr. Kim, the lead investigator in the Southwestern study. They should look for products that utilize the whole Echinacea plant, including the root. The key is finding a product that contains the whole plant and is standardized for consistency in activity."
According to the study's originator, Kerin Franklin, Celestial's Vice President of Research and Development, We believe standardization and a complete range of Echinacea compounds is key in the effective prevention of colds and flu. Franklin emphasized the fact that Proprietary Echinacea whole herb standardized to AG demonstrated superior effects to conventional standardized extracts in the study's subjects." Further, the study's SF 36 results measurements (quality of health/life) revealed that proprietary Echinacea whole herb standardized to AG has superior scores for improvement in sleep patterns, mood, and gastrointestinal health.
Reference: celestialseasonings.com
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