Blog Assignment #9: Herbals, Botanicals and Supps

I decided to research the herbal supplement Echinacea. Echinacea is commonly used for the reduction of the duration of colds, to boost the immune system, and to heal wounds. Some negative effects can be GI symptoms including nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Also, Allergic reactions (especially people allergic to the daisy/aster family). Echinacea is popularly believed to be an immunostimulator, stimulating the body's non-specific immune system and warding off infections and also being used as a laxative. Muscle and joint pain has been associated with Echinacea, but it may have been caused by cold or flu symptoms for which the Echinacea products were administered. Applying Echinacea to the skin can cause redness, itchiness, or a rash. Taking Echinacea and applying a medicated cream to the skin seems to lower the recurrence rate of yeast infections. Traditionally echinacea was used for the treatment of snake bites and reportedly to reduce the spread of venom. In inflammation caused by a viral or a bacterial infection, echinacea has been shown to reduce the swelling in some cases.

Work Cited:

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09370.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinacea

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-981-ECHINACEA.aspx?activeIngredientId=981&activeIngredientName=ECHINACEA

http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/health-is-echinacea-the-wonder-herb-its-claimed-to-be-29341/