Positive Health Online

Abstract

GOEL and colleagues, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, have conducted a randomized controlled trial of a standardized preparation of Echinacea in the treatment of common colds.

Background

Echinacea is one of the most popular treatments that consumers choose in the expectation that it will reduce the severity and duration of colds. However results from clinical trials are not always positive. This incongruity may result from the use of poorly standardized Echinacea preparations, some of which may not contain sufficient quantities of active substances. This trial was aimed at clarifying this question using a standardized Echinacea preparation.

Methodology

A formulation containing alkamides, cichoric acid, and polysaccharides at concentrations of 0.25, 2.4, and 25 mg/ml respectively, was prepared from freshly harvested Echinacea purpurea plants. In a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled design, 282 subjects with a history of two or more colds in the previous year but otherwise in good health were recruited. They were instructed to start taking the Echinacea or placebo at the onset of first symptoms of a cold, taking 10 doses the first day and 4 doses daily on subsequent days for one week. Severity of symptoms was recorded daily. A nurse examined subjects on days 3 and 8 of their cold.

Results

In the study period, 128 subjects contracted a common cold (59 Echinacea, 69 placebo). Total daily symptom scores were 23% lower in the Echinacea group than in the placebo group (p < 0.01). Throughout the treatment period, the response to treatments was better in the Echinacea group than in the placebo group.

Conclusion

Early intervention with a standardized preparation of Echinacea resulted in reduced symptom severity in subjects with naturally acquired upper respiratory tract infection.

References

Goel V, Lovlin R, Barton R, Lyon MR, Bauer R, Lee TDG, Basu TK. Efficacy of a standardized echinacea preparation (Echinilin) for the treatment of the common cold: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics 29 (1): 75-83, Feb 2004.

Comment

In view of the severity and importance of colds, it is encouraging to see such double-blinded randomized controlled trials.