Study Finds Echinacea May Prevent Colds
(Washington, Reuters Health, 6/25/07)

Dr. Craig Coleman of the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, and team, analyzed the results of 14 studies that dealt with the efficacy of echinacea, a commonly used herbal remedy made from parts taken from nine species of North American plants. The investigators found that these studies, which involved a total of 1,600 subjects, tended to support echinacea’s ability to block infection from certain cold viruses. Coleman noted that a 2005 study that concluded that echinacea did not stop colds looked at a rhinovirus only, ignoring the numerous other cold-causing pathogens. The scientists concluded that overall the mega-analysis tended to support the theory that taking echinacea may significantly reduce the risk of catching a cold.