Echinacea

A Doctor’s Guide to Herbs, by Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, May 31, 1998, Parade Magazine
Dr. Rosenfeld’s latest book is Dr. Rosenfeld’s 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 don’t 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.