Take care of your cold this winter
The common cold is making it's rounds once again as the winter weather sets in, new research reveals echinacea helps to cut colds and the need for pain killers.
The herb proved most effective amongst people with a weakened immune system and those prone to recurrent infections by cutting the number of colds they suffered by more than half.
In addition, the research, from Cardiff University's Common Cold Centre, showed that echinacea reduced the severity of cold and flu symptoms and halved the need for cold sufferers to take painkilling medication, which helps reduce the risk of unintentional overdose on paracetamol.
Professor Ronald Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre, said: “The newly reported results confirm that Echinaforce supports the immune resistance, and in parallel acts directly against a series of viruses.
“This appears to be an effective therapeutic approach, which not only works at the level of the human host but also acts on the invaders – all of this with highly acceptable tolerability.”
The study was the largest clinical trial into the benefits and risks of taking echinacea over an extended period of time, four months.
The research revealed that echinacea provided maximum protection from colds and flu for those who were most at risk of infection, these being people with high stress levels, smokers and poor sleepers.
It also follows a health warning last winter about the hidden danger of taking too much paracetamol which was brought home by a study on the risks of liver failure from unintentional overdose on paracetamol.
Dr Jen Tan, Medical Director at A.Vogel says: “It can be easy to lose track of how much paracetamol you’re taking when treating a cold or flu attack if you’re already on other pain relieving medication.
“It’s promising to find that echinacea not only reduces the risk of catching a cold but helps to reduce pain relief requirements for sufferers, making it a safer alternative for relieving cold and flu symptoms.”
Leading immune expert from the Henry Potter Advisory Committee, Dr Serene Foster, says: “Echinacea balances the immune system and improves your natural anti-viral immunity. It also raises the body’s defence against bacteria. Potter’s Elixir of Echinacea Plus is ideal; it is a good mix of herbs because it acts as a preventative measure against colds. This remedy is best taken at the very first sign of a cold; so don’t leave it too long as that is the best way to reduce the symptoms of a cold and the duration. Combined with Wild indigo and fumitory as well as high quality Echinacea, it relieves the “flu-like symptoms” you can get with colds.”
A.Vogel Echinaforce is available as drops or tablets. Drops cost £3.95 for 15ml, £9.15 for 50ml and £16.20 for 100ml. Tablets cost £4.50 for 42 tablets and £9.15 for 120. Available at Boots, Holland and Barrett, selected pharmacies and independent food stores.
Potter's Elixir of Echinacea Plus - containing a unique formula of the highest quality Echinacea angustifolia, wild indigo and fumitory. RRP £10.16, available in Boots nationwide. What’s more, not only does this product have the benefit of the additional combination of wild indigo and fumitory but Potter’s Elixir of Echinacea Plus you take straight off the spoon as a mixture rather than needing to dilute as a tincture. Please find the high res image attached.
Tagged in Health cold and flu