Echinacea

• These herbs collectively help improve the body's immune response and decrease the symptoms of upper respiratory infections

Echinacea is an herb commonly used to improve immune function and manage the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Echinacea is a genus in the daisy family and most commonly refers to two species: purpurea and angustifolia. Each species of Echinacea offers unique health benefits, but both are beneficial for optimizing and balancing immune function.

For example, a 2007 meta-analysis examined the ability of echinacea to prevent colds in over 1,300 people. Nearly all 14 included trials used either Echinacea purpurea alone or a combination of purpurea and angustifolia. On average, these preparations were found to result in a 58% decrease in the likelihood of developing a cold and a 1.4-day reduction in the duration of symptoms.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compared Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and placebo interventions for URTIs in 302 healthy adults. These individuals received extracts of either species or a placebo for 5 days per week for 12 weeks. At the end of the trial, 37% of the placebo group experienced an URTI, while only 32% of the angustifolia group and 29% of the purpurea group developed symptoms. Furthermore, both Echinacea groups increased the average number of days to first symptoms. The placebo group experienced initial symptoms after 65 days, compared to 66 days for the angustifolia group and 69 days for the purpurea group. These results suggest that both species offer immune benefits.

There are a variety of constituents that are considered active, including alkylamides, polysaccharides, and phenols. Depending on the species, there are different amounts and types of each component. For example, Echinacea angustifolia contains echinacosides, an antimicrobial phenolic component not found in purpurea species. Additionally, while both species have several alkylamides, a greater variety of alkylamides is found in Echinacea angustifolia than in Echinacea purpurea. Combining the two Echinacea species provides a more complete and possibly synergistic blend of active ingredients.

That being said, Echinacea purpurea has more human clinical trials and research support. For example, it has been shown to increase natural killer cells, leukocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes, while also stimulating the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Additionally, Echinacea purpurea has demonstrated activity against Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as well as viruses such as influenza and herpes. Finally, supplementing with Echinacea purpurea for 4 weeks showed a decrease in both salivary IgA levels and disease duration.

Cyto-Matrix Echinacea combines the two powerful immunomodulatory species of Echinacea to effectively prevent and treat URTIs, various infections, and improve the overall health of the body's immune response. Each Echinacea Matrix vegetarian capsule contains 100 mg (6:1 extract; dried herbs)
Equivalent [DHE] 600mg) of Echinacea angustifolia root extract and 300mg (6:1 extract; DHE 1800mg) of Echinacea purpurea extract, standardized to 4% echinacoside and 4% phenol content, respectively. These active ingredients are confirmed according to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the most accurate and reliable test available for herbal extracts. Each bottle of Echinacea Matrix contains 90 vegetarian capsules.

Echinacea is part of the Cyto-Matrix Herbal Matrix series, containing sustainably sourced, traceable, and non-GMO herbs with powerful therapeutic properties. Each herb is extracted and tested to ensure standardization of active ingredients, ultimately leading to effective, predictable, and reliable products. The Cyto-Matrix Herbal Matrix series of herbal extracts benefits both the health of individuals, but also the health of our planet and future generations.