A.Vogel® Echinaforce® Extra | Treatment of proven cold symptoms
Reduces healing time and helps you stay active by relieving symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold.
Take at the first sign of infection.
Historical overview :
Long before the arrival of the first European settlers, Amerindians used echinacea (also known as rudbeckia purpurea) to treat everything from infections to snake bites.
Echinacea was popularized by the eclectic medicine movement in the United States in the last century. Subsequently, in America, its use almost fell into oblivion until the 1980s. In Europe, on the other hand, echinacea found favor in the medical world from the turn of the century, and was the subject of much clinical research. Today, echinacea is the world's best-selling medicinal plant.
Actions and pharmacology :
In vitro studies have shown that Echinacea acts by stimulating macrophage phagocytosis and the production of cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6 (also known as interferon beta), interleukin-10 and TNF alpha. The polysaccharide and polyacetylene fractions are thought to be responsible. This effect demonstrates echinacea's ability to stimulate the immune system in the event of infection(1).
Chicoric acid and analogues derived from caffeic acid are currently being investigated for their effect on HIV-1 replication(2).
Echinacea, in particular echinacoside and caffeic acid derivatives, may protect collagen structures against degradation (oxidation) by free radicals. This antioxidant effect could also be used to reduce skin damage caused by sun exposure. The combination of echinacea's antioxidant and immuno-stimulant effects could explain its healing properties when applied topically(3).
Scientific studies :
Several clinical studies demonstrate the efficacy of echinacea as an immune stimulant.(4-6) According to the authors of a major meta-analysis (review of articles on clinical studies), echinacea is effective against respiratory infections, particularly if taken at the first symptoms.(7)
Echinaforce® has also been the subject of a number of conclusive clinical studies:
An investigation into the efficacy of Echinaforce® liquid was carried out between September 1989 and April 1990. The authors note: "The efficacy of Echinaforce® was judged clinically significant by 88.2% of the patients themselves and by 86.8% of their treating physicians"(8).
In a double-blind study carried out in Sweden on 119 patients (55 patients received 6 tablets a day of Echinaforce® and 64 received a placebo), the researchers concluded that, after 8 days' treatment, Echinaforce® was more effective than placebo in 78% of patients.(9)
