Wall Street Journal
Editor’s Note: The Wall Street Journal reports about a study in 2015 that found a hot drink containing echinacea to be as good as prescription Tamiflu for treating influenza, and a large 2012 study that found the remedy cut down on the number of days suffered with colds. The report also notes that laboratory research suggests the herbal remedy may hamper the ability of viruses to infect a host and may regulate the immune system, either by stimulating it or preventing an overreaction responsible for symptoms.
The Wall Street Journal
January 11, 2015
Can Echinacea Melt Winter’s Colds and Flu?
The Claim: Echinacea, a herbal remedy made from a flowering plant, can prevent respiratory infections-or even help treat them once they begin.
The Verdict: A study in 2015 found a hot drink containing echinacea to be as good as prescription Tamiflu for treating influenza, and a large 2012 study found the remedy cut down on the number of days suffered with colds. The results don’t apply to all formulations of echinacea, which can vary widely, and scientists caution that people at high risk for flu complications shouldn’t forgo more-tested prescription medications.
