Echinaforce Junior | Echinacea for Children | Flu and Cold

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Echinacea for Childern - Echinaforce Junior

90 Echinaforce Junior
Chewable tablets

Indications

Colds and flu, infections (bronchitis, laryngitis, otitis, etc.), sore throats.
As an immune system stimulant.

Price $17.99

Composition

Each tablet contains, Echinacea tincture:
Organic Echinacea herb (Echinacea purpurea) 237.5 mg
Organic Echinacea root (Echinacea purpurea) 12.5 mg
Non medicinal ingredients: organic cane sugar, microcrystalline cellulose, starch, magnesium stearate, orange essence, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

Dosage

Children from 2 to 6 years old: 1 tablet twice daily, 15 minutes before meals.
Children from 6 to 12 years old: 2 tablets twice daily, 15 minutes before meals.

Historical overview

Long before the coming of the European settlers, the native Americans used Echinacea (also called Purple Cone Flower) to treat a variety of problems, from infections to snake bites. In the United States, Echinacea was popularized by the eclectic physicians` movement in the 19th Century. After that, its use was almost forgotten until the 1980`s. In Europe, however, Echinacea was popular with the medical world from the beginning of the Century and has been the subject of numerous clinical studies. Today, Echinacea is the most widely sold medicinal herb in the world.

Actions and pharmacology

In vitro studies have allowed the discovery of Echinacea’s action mechanism: its polysaccharides and polyacetylenes fractions stimulate the phagocytosis of macrophages and the production of cytokines like interleukine-1, interleukine-6 (also called interferon beta), interleukine-10 and TNF alpha factor. This effect shows Echinacea’s ability to stimulate the immune system in cases of infection.(1)

In simple terms, Echinacea stimulates the non specific immune system, increasing its ability to fight infections.
Chicoric acid and analogues derived from caffeic acid are presently under investigation for their effect on HIV-1 replication.(2)

Echinacea, particularly the echinacosides and caffeic acid derivatives, might protect collagen structures against degradation (oxidation) caused by free radicals. This antioxidant effect is also useful to relieve the inflammation generated by the immune system during its fight against the viruses of cold.

Scientific studies

Many clinical studies demonstrate echinacea’s efficacy as an immune system stimulant.(3-5) According to the authors of an important meta-analysis (a review of articles on clinical studies), echinacea is effective against respiratory infections, especially if taken as soon as the first symptoms appear.(6)

Echinaforce® specifically has also been the subject of conclusive clinical studies. A double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted in Sweden on Echinaforce® tablets. 246 patients suffering from colds took either 6 Echinaforce® tablets daily, a special Echinacea preparation (7 times more concentrated), another form of Echinacea, or a placebo. Echinaforce® and the concentrated preparation were equally effective in reducing cold symptoms and significantly more effective than the other Echinacea preparation or the placebo.(7)

Another study conducted on 119 patients demonstrated a 60% improvement of cold symptoms with Echinaforce® tablets compared to a placebo.(8)
A recent study (April 2002) on 48 volunteers showed that Echinacea significantly increases one of the markers of immune system stimulation: properdine.(9)

Precautions, contraindications and interactions

Contraindication: known allergy to one of the ingredients or to any flower belonging to the daisy (asteracea) family.
A few cases of prolonged bleeding time were reported. It is therefore not recommended to combine echinacea with anticoagulant medications like Coumadin®.

Because Echinacea being an immune stimulant, its combination with immuno-suppressive medications like Methotrexate® or Immuran® is contraindicated. Echinacea is also not recommended for people suffering from leukemia or other auto-immune diseases.

A study conducted in Toronto by the Motherisk Program states that Echinacea is safe during pregnancy. (10) However, it is always best to consult a competent health professional.

Therapeutic combinations

FLUS and COLDS
Echinacea Lozenges, Usneasan, Drosinula®, Santasapina® Syrup and Lozenges, Resistasan®, Pulsaralia, Sinna, Arasma
COUGHS
Usneasan, Drosinula®, Santasapina®, Arasma, Resistasan®
WOUNDS
Comfrey, Tormentavena®, Molkosan®, Bioforce Cream, Echinacea Cream, Symphytum Cream
CYSTITIS
Cystoforce, Golden Rod

References

1. Burger Ra, Torres AR, Warren RP et al. Echinacea-induced cytokine by human macrophages. Int J Immunopharmacol 1997;19(7):371-9.

2. Lin Z, Neamati N, Zhao H et al. Chicoric acid analogues as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. J Med Chem 1999;42(8):1401-14.

3. Gunning K. Echinacea in the treatment and prevention of upper respiratory tract infections. West J Med 1999;171:198-200.

4. Barrett B, Vohmann M, Calabrese C. Echinacea for upper respiratory infection. J Fam Pract 1999;48:628-35.

5. Grimm W, Muller HH. A randomized controlled trial of the effect of fluid extract of Echinacea purpurea on the incidence and severity of colds and respiratory infections. Am J Med 1999;106:138-43.

6. Barrett B, Vohmann M et Calabrese C. Echinacea for Upper respiratory infection. J Fam Pract 1999;48(8):628-35.

7. Brinkeborn RM, Shah DV, Degenring FH. Echinaforce® and other Echinacea fresh plant preparations in the treatment of the common cold. A randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Phytomedicine 1999 Mar;6(1):1-6

8. Brinkeborn RM, Shah DV, Geissbühler S, Degenring FH. Echinaforce® dans le traitement des états grippaux aigus. Schweiz Zschr GanzheitsMedizin 1998;10(1):26-9.

9. Kim LS, Waters RF, Burkholder PM. Immunological activity of larch arabinogalactan and Echinacea: A preliminary, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Altern Med Rev 2002 Apr;7(2):138-149

10. Gallo M, Sarkar M, Au W et al. Pregnancy outcome following gestational exposure to echinacea: a prospective controlled study. Arch Intern Med 1999;160(20):3141-3

The statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.