Echinaforce® - Strengthen your immune system with real force.There is an extensive body of evidence showing the efficacy
of high quality Echinacea purpurea products, containing the aerial parts, and
made from freshly harvested herb. Other Echinacea products may not be as
effective.
In 1999, a study commissioned by A.Vogel showed that
Echinaforce was significantly more effective than placebo in the treatment of
flu infection. Those using Echinaforce experienced a resolution of the cold and
flu symptoms were reduced twice as fast as those in the placebo group.
(Brinkeborn R. M. et al., Phytomedicine 1999)
In 2004, another trial was published that demonstrated the
efficiency of Echinacea in the treatment of colds and flu, when used as soon as
a cold starts. At seven days, 95% of those using Echinacea were free of
symptoms compared with only 63% in the placebo group. (Goel et al. J Clin Pharm
Ther. 2004, 29 (1): 75 – 83.)
In 2005, Goel published a further trial showing that
volunteers taking Echinacea purpurea at the onset of a cold experienced a
greater decrease in their daily symptoms than a placebo group. He found a
significant and sustained increase in the number of circulating total white
blood cells, which he deduced led to a faster resolution of the cold symptoms.
(Goel et al. Phytother Res. 2005 Aug; 19 (8): 689-94.)
The positive results achieved here both involved tinctures
of Echinacea purpurea produced from freshly harvested plant material, like that
used in Echinaforce.
In 2004 work published by Gertsch, in collaboration with the
Clinical Trials Department staff at A.Vogel, discovered a definitive mode of
action for Echinaforce. This work pinpointed the action of alkylamides
confirming our belief that Echinaforce modulates the immune system. (Gertsch J
et al. FEBS Letters 2004; 577: 563 – 569)
In 2006 there was more good news. The Cochrane Report
reviewed 16 controlled clinical trials on the effectiveness of several
different Echinacea preparations for preventing and treating common colds. They
concluded that preparations using Echinacea purpurea were effective in
shortening the duration or decreasing the severity of cold symptoms in adults
if taken when symptoms first appear. (The Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews 2006, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD000530.pub2.)
Then a paper co-authored by two A.Vogel scientists and
Professor Johnston from the National Heart and Lung Institute at the Imperial
College London examined the data from three Echinacea prevention trials and
found evidence that use of Echinacea is effective in the prevention of the
symptoms of the common cold. Those using Echinacea were half as likely to
develop colds when compared to placebo. (Schoop R et al. Clinical Therapeutics.
2006: 1: 10.) |
