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About: With the cold and flu season approaching, can you describe some of the different types of echinacea formulas available?
Dr. Saunders: The two most common types of echinacea are Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea. Both are potentially useful and can stimulate the immune system for cold and flu. The key is they have to be taken early and frequently to be effective. As a consumer, if you pick up an Echinacea angustifolia formula and you want to know if it is a good quality product, taste it - it should make the your tongue tingle slightly. But a purpurea formula has slightly different constituents that do not cause tingling.
About: Is one type of echinacea more common for cold and flu?
Dr. Saunders: One type is not necessarily better than another, since both have the large polysaccharide molecules that stimulate the immune system. Echinacea purpurea is more commonly used in Europe and Echinacea angustifolia is more common here, but there are many combination formulas.
My patients often look at the label and remark that the dose I've prescribed is higher. This is because the dose on the label is conservative and is meant to protect the public. A practitioner may prescribe a higher dose because they know the strength of the tincture or herb, the vitality and health of the patient, and how the herb should be taken. The prescription instructions on a standard label are for the general public, so they may not match the reality of what should be done in a situation. What is on the label with respect to the recommended dose may be different from what I might do with an individual patient who I think needs a particular dose.
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More on safety and government regulation issues from your Alternative Medicine Guide at About.