Echinacea
Here is a copy of an article on Echinacea copied
from the quarterly paper "You May Never Be Sick Again".
Echinacea forms the base for the original One Life antioxidant
formula.
The only dramatic
difference between One Life and other antioxidant formulas is the
Echinacea which is the base of One Life. Many of our members believe
that the Echinacea base contributes greatly to the apparent
miracles. The following is presented in order to inform you about
this mysterious herb. The following is taken from the Australian
Journal of Medical Herbalism vol 4(4) 1992. This is a scientific
journal which accepts no product advertisements.
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History of Echinacea
Echinacea was first discovered in the late 18th
century in use by native Americans in the plains states. They used
it for all internal and external infections. It was their sole
option for snake bite. (Cancer was unknown among these lndians) In
1887 Dr. H.C.F. Meyer introduced Echinacea in the form of Meyer's
Blood Purifier. He made extravagant claims for his product. The back
label read: " Take one ounce three times ever day in the following
causes rheumatism, sick headaches, dyspepsia, old sores and bites,
open wounds, dizziness, and scrofula. In case of poisoning take the
double dose, and for bites of rattlesnakes take three ounces three
times a day until swelling is gone. This is an absolute cure within
24 hours." At this time in history some scoundrels claimed their
products brought dead people back to life.
Echinacea gained great popularity early this
century until the February 27, 1908 issue of the Journal of the
American Medical Association in which an editorial discredited
Echinacea. In the November, 1909 issue of JAMA an article was
published titled, "Echinacea considered valueless".
(NOTE from David Eaglechild: Despite the JAMA
article, many American physicians continued to use and speak
positively about their results with Echinacea. German and other
European Medical Societies continued to research and use Echinacea
despite the AMA's opinion. Research into Echinacea has continued
throughout the century and has turned in many positive reviews and
results. You may also want to check out Dr. James Downey's Herbal
Research and Healing regarding Echinacea after reading the article
below.) RETURN TO
ONELIFE
Pharmacology of Echinacea
Echinacoside has an interferonlike activity. It
has mild antibiotic activity against Streptococcus and
Staphylococcus aureus. Six mg. Echinacoside is equivalent to one
unit of penicillin. Oncolytic activities (destructive to tumor
cells) have been attributed to the volatile oils of Echinacea.
Stress, harsh environments or seasons, or whenever
the body is in need of reinforcement, Echinacea may supply the boost
required to maintain the natural lines of resistance to mend injured
tissue and to stimulate body functioning.
Experimental Studies In 1984 by H. Wagner et al
studied purified polysaccharides (EPS) from Echinacea purpurea. It
was observed that they strongly activated macrophages. These
macrophages developed pronounced extracellular cytotoxicity against
tumor cells.
In 1991 German researchers found that mice (fed
Echinacea) were protected against otherwise lethal infections.
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Clinical Studies
A 1954 study of 200 psoriasis patients showed that
90% had a definite remission.
A 1964 double blind study of 121 children with
whooping cough. 50% were free of symptoms in five days. The other
50% were free in ten days.
In 1978 a study involving 4,598 patients with skin
conditions was conducted. The study lasted five months and involved
the observations of 538 physicians outside of hospitals from all
parts of West Germany.
