By vgreene, 3 April, 2020 Flu sx. Combo product of E purpurea extract (1140 mg herb + 60 mg root) + elderberry juice concentrate 1383 mg, as 5 mL PO 3-5x/day x10 days (Echinaforce Hot Drink). RCT (N=473, age 12-70 yo) showed noninferiority to oseltamivir 75 mg PO bid, however no p
By vgreene, 3 April, 2020 Cold sx. Echinacea extract 2400 mg/day PO divided tid x4mo, then incr. @ cold sx onset to 4000 mg/day PO divided 5x/day (Echinaforce) used in RCT (N=755, age >18 yo): ↓ # cold episodes, cumulative episode days vs placebo; safety noninferior to placeb
By vgreene, 3 April, 2020 Cytokine storm media debate. Some suggest OK for prevention, but should d/c @ COVID-19 sx onset, due to possible immune inflammatory up-regulation;2 theory based on in vitro E purpurea study on ↑inflammatory cytokine production in human macrophages3
By vgreene, 3 April, 2020 Has been suggested for COVID-19 prevention based on historical use in cold/flu sx relief
By vgreene, 3 April, 2020 There’s no scientific evidence that echinacea or any other herbal remedy is effective for COVID-19 prevention/tx1