Loading...
The common cold is the most frequent human illness and carries huge annual costs in terms of treatment expense and school or work time lost. Dozens — if not hundreds — of symptomatic remedies are available; several of the most popular ones contain echinacea. But is this ingredient effective?
In a recent four-arm study conducted in Wisconsin, researchers assessed the benefits of an echinacea preparation in 713 individuals aged 12 to 80 with self-reported symptoms of the common cold. The product used was derived from the roots of Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia and contained a standardized dose of alkamides — one class of potentially active ingredients. Study participants were randomized to receive no pills, blinded placebo, blin…