A Doctors Guide to Herbs, by Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, May 31, 1998, Parade Magazine
Dr. Rosenfelds latest book is Dr. Rosenfelds Guide to Alternative Medicine
Echinacea (the purple coneflower) helps to alleviate the symptoms of colds and other common respiratory infections. It is said to stimulate the immune system and, more specifically, to increase the effectiveness of the white blood cells that attack bacteria and viruses. Echinacea has little toxicity, but dont use it if you have an autoimmune disease, such as lupus. I advise my patients not to take it longer than 8 weeks. In capsules, the dosage is 2 or 3 per day, but I prefer the tincture - 15-20 drops in a half glass of water, 4 or 5 times a day.