Echinacea Supplement: Taking Echinacea Alongside Liquorice Helps Boost Immunity And Can Reduce The Duration And Severity Of Cold And Flu Symptoms

During recent years, scientists have learnt far more about how nutritional supplements work in the body to help prevent and treat a wide range of ailments. Their research has shown that certain nutrients are far more effective when taken together in a single dose than when taken on their own.

One explanation is linked to the fact that we are genetically programmed to assimilate several different nutrients from our diet at any one time. Therefore, natural remedies (which are nutrients meant to supplement our diet) are better assimilated when they are presented to the body all in one go, rather than individually.

There is now a growing body of evidence to support this theory, particularly in terms of the combined strength of Echinacea purpurea root extract and liquorice (glycyrrhiza glabra). Research has shown that their ability to boost the immune system is greatly enhanced when they are taken together compared to when they're taken individually. This is especially good news for those of us trying to escape the nasty strains of colds and flu in addition to the respiratory viruses that have been doing the rounds over the past few months.

Echinacea helps reinforce your body's natural defences
Echinacea, an extract of an American wildflower which sports lovely magenta flowers, was used by the Indians of the North American Plains for therapeutic purposes for hundreds of years before modern scientists became interested in it. The most potent part of the plant and most extensively studied is the root.

Available in tincture and capsule form and as a tea, Echinacea has been found to possess antibacterial and immune-boosting properties, helping to fight coughs, colds, viral infections, as well as upper respiratory tract and vaginal infections (Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000,(2):CD000530; Hopfenmuller W., Arzneimittelforschung,1994:44 1005-13).

It also helps speed recovery time after an infection, with none of the side effects caused by antibiotics.

The main active ingredients present in Echinacea are large sugar molecules called polysaccharides. Two in particular, inulin and arabinogalactin, have been found to be especially beneficial in terms of their immune-boosting actions. This, combined with its antibacterial properties, contributes to Echinacea's ability to reduce the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms (Zeitschrift Phytother 13:7-13,1992).

Liquorice helps treat everything from ulcers to asthma
Liquorice (glycyrrhiza glabra) takes its name from the Greek word meaning 'sweet root'. Like Echinacea, liquorice was used by Native American Indians, particularly the Blackfoot Indians, both as a food and as a medicine. As well as helping to boost the immune system and fight infections, it has been found to be effective in the treatment of earache, gastric ulcers, and respiratory problems like coughs and asthma.

A study conducted by Japanese researchers revealed that liquorice contains the natural plant compounds, licoricidin and glycyrin, which are active against respiratory infections - particularly Heamophilus infection (flu) and Streptococcus (bronchitis) (Nutr Vitaminol 2001, 47(3):270-273). Other studies have revealed that liquorice extracts are beneficial against viruses like the Ebstein Barr virus, which causes glandular fever (Antiviral Res 2003, 59(1):41-47).

Taken together these herbs strengthen each other's medicinal actions
Despite the numerous studies showing the therapeutic properties of Echinacea and liquorice, their combined benefits are still not widely known about. Yet there is now growing evidence revealing how they work in synergy, which maximises their therapeutic effects further still. Scientists base this on a phenomenon called 'potentiation' - in which the individual components of a combination enhance and strengthen each other to result in a much more pronounced effect.

A study conducted by German scientists from the Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Munich, assessed the combined effect of taking Echinacea alongside liquorice. For the purposes of the study, scientists used a preparation called Revitonil, which is a mixture of Echinacea and liquorice together with eucalyptus oil. They administered this preparation to human immune cells and found that there was a 53 per cent stimulation of phagocytosis, a process in which immune cells attack and digest harmful substances like viruses and bacteria.

The same scientists also conducted an animal study, in which they administered Revitonil to mice. They found that the rate of elimination of toxic material from the body was 25 per cent higher compared to Echinacea's or liquorice's normal individual rates of activity (Phytomedicine 2002, 9(5):390-397).

In another study conducted by Japanese scientists from Minophagen Pharmaceuticals, in Tokyo, the two herbal extracts were found to significantly reduce chemicals responsible for causing inflammation in the body, such as NFkappaB and cytokines. Dr S Shibata who conducted the study says: 'These extracts have shown a remarkable anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-ulcer activity, whereas other activities such as anti-cancer and anti-malarial are now being investigated' (Yakugaku Zasshi 2000. 120(10):849-862).

In terms of the latter, NHR promises to keep you fully updated regarding these findings as soon as they become available.

What to take for best results
The recommended dosage for Revitonil tablets, containing Echinacea and liquorice, is two to three tablets taken up to three times a day. The product should be taken as soon as symptoms appear, and up to nine tablets per day can be taken during particularly bad cases of colds or flu. Revitonil is particularly effective against sore throats, sneezing, runny eyes, a blocked nose or tickling cough. Take for up to a maximum of 8 weeks at any one time, as studies have found that long-term use of Echinacea may reduce its efficacy.

WARNING: There are very few side effects linked to this product and it has been shown to have a very low risk of toxicity (Phytomedicine 2000, 7(4):273-282).

However, you should consult your doctor before taking the product especially if you are taking any medication, in order to prevent possible contraindications. In particular this product can effect the action of Warfarin and drugs for hypertension and epilepsy (Ceska Slov Farm 2000, 49(4):162-167).

Revitonil is not suitable for diabetic patients or pregnant or breast-feeding women. In addition, Echinacea should not be taken by those allergic to sunflowers, as Echinacea is part of the sunflower family.