Echinacea

Echinacea is a product of the Purple Coneflower plant, Echinacea purpurea. It has a justified reputation as an herb that's helpful with colds and viruses. If your child is suffering from a cold or simple virus, echinacea may be very helpful. Please note that echinacea is not a cure-all, and that for many illnesses it will provide no help whatsoever.

I recommend echinacea for the treatment of simple colds and viruses, if the medicine can be started within the first day or so of illness. It can be taken as a tea, as a powder or pill, or as part of a juice. I prefer the juice for the taste. Follow the dosing recommended on the product's label. For the juice, I would simply drink the entire bottle in one evening.

The herb has a good safety record with children and adults. Echinacea should not be used by people with the HIV virus or AIDS. It should not be used for treatment of tuberculosis, or auto-immune disorders like Lupus. Echinacea is not recommended for treatment of bacterial infections. If you have a question about its use, please contact us.

Knudsen Brand makes a pretty tasty juice, and can be found at stores like Whole Foods or Wheatsville. Other stores like GNC carry pills and powders with echinacea.