What does it do? Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida) is a popular immune-boosting herb that reduces the duration and severity of both the common cold and the flu. Echinacea is thought to support the immune system by activating white blood cells,one part of the immune system that attack foreign invaders in the body. Echinacea may also increase production of interferon, an important part of the body's response to viral infections.While echinacea helps treat colds and flu, it may not be effective for prevention and should be reserved for use at the onset of these conditions. How much is usually taken? At the onset of a cold or flu, 3 to 4 ml of Echinacea in a liquid preparation or 300 mg of a powdered form in capsule or tablet, can be taken every two hours for the first day of illness, then three times per day for a total of 7 to 10 days. Are there any side effects or interactions? Echinacea is rarely associated with side effects when taken orally.People should not take echinacea if they have an autoimmune illness, such as lupus, or other progressive diseases, such as tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, or HIV infection. People allergic to flowers of the daisy family should not take echinacea; cases of allergic responses to echinacea (e.g., wheezing, skin rash, diarrhea) have been reported in medical literature. Women taking echinacea during pregnancy were found to have no greater incidence of miscarriage or birth defects than women not taking the herb. Echinacea root contains approximately 20% inulin, a fiber found in fruits, vegetables, and plants. While sensitivities to inulin are extremely rare, people with a confirmed allergy should avoid echinacea. For the highest quality hypo-allergenic supplements contact S.Ferzola RPh. at 516-644-2470 or e-mail at SFERZOLA@hotmail.com