By Hollis Boss, M.S., M.S., Herbalist
If you are currently using herbal medicines, you are not alone. Last year over $80 billion was spent on herbalmedicines and this number is expected to double within the next six years, according to a recent report by the Helmut Kaiser Consultancy.
Echinacea is the number one plant used in medicine. This presents some good and some bad news. Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation about Echinacea, and the result is that the herb is not being used as well or as often as it could be.
Not all Echinacea is created equal
There are nine different species of Echinacea, three of which have been found to have medicinal properties. The medicinally active species are Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea pallida. The species most commonly sold in the U.S. are Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea or a combination of both.
Where is Echinacea found?
Although it is now cultivated, more than 90 percent of wild Echinacea was found within the U.S. It is a true American plant. Echinacea was traditionally used by American Indians and then by early U.S. physicians. Native Americans mainly used the roots of Echinacea angustifolia. Early physicians mainly used the alcoholic extract of the same root species.
Which phytochemicals of Echinacea are absorbed?
Many different Echinacea products are available, including plant species (E. angustifolia, E. purpurea, E. pallida or combinations of these), the plant part (root, leaves, or whole plant), different dosage and quality markers used in the manufacturing.
The “root” has the highest concentration of alkylamides, which are the only components found in the blood stream after oral ingestion of Echinacea. The alkylamide content decreases in the order E. allada, E. angustifolia, then E. purpurea.
Echinacea angustifolia is very expensive. Consequently most commercial preparations contain very little of this species and mainly contain the E. purpurea. Liver enzymes rapidly degrade alkylamides in E. purpurea (called diene alkylamides). However, the alkylamides in E. angustifolia (called monoene alkylamides) are much more slowly degraded by the liver and are able to prevent the degradation of the diene alkylamides found in both Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea. This means that the presence of E. angustifolia (which is very expensive and very effective) with E. purpurea (cheaper and not effective by itself) is best.
What does research show?
Echinacea boosts the white blood cell count, especially natural killer cells. Since alkylamides have been shown to have the immune activity and are very lipophilic (not water soluble), Echinacea roots must be extracted with a high ethanol to get an effective preparation or tablet.
When to use Echinacea is the most misunderstood aspect of the herb. Using Echinacea only after one becomes sick tremendously reduces the effectiveness of this amazing plant medicine. Several papers by Kerry Bone emphasize that daily use of Echinacea is best for preventive measures. Dr. Miller of McGill University says, “There is considerable controversy concerning the duration and frequency with respect to human consumption of Echinacea. Our research provided concrete evidence that chronic long-term intake of Echinacea was not only not detrimental but was distinctly prophylactic.”
Echinacea as liquid extract versus tablet form
It is best to buy the mixture of Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea (either in tablet or liquid form). Matthias reported that the only real difference between the two is the speed at which alkylamides are detected in the bloodstream. Liquid forms yield a quick detection time of only five minutes. Tablets produce a detection time of 20 minutes. Be sure that the active marker alkylamides are identified on the label. Liquids should be approximately 1.5 mg/ml alkylamides, and tablets should be 4.0 mg per tablet of the alkylamides.
A quick way to determine the quality of Echinacea is to place a few drops onto your tongue. If your Echinacea extract contains sufficient levels of alkylamides, a strong and persistent tingling will occur in your mouth within seconds. If not, then your Echinacea is of poor quality. Studies support what many herbalists have maintained for some time; the efficacy of Echinacea products varies tremendously due to the quality of raw material, the plant part, plant species used and the manufacturing process.
Disclaimer: Information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, prescribe or treat any form of illness.
Hollis Boss, M.S., M.S., Herbalist is an Australian-trained Western Herbalist and a former Amgen researcher. He has become very passionate about herbal medicines. His office is located at 860 Hampshire Road, Suite G in Westlake Village, CA. He can be reached at 818-451-7968.
practice 
Leave a comment