Echinacea May Prevent Common Cold

HARTFORD, Conn.Published evidence suggests echinacea can help decrease the incidence and duration of the common cold, according to a new meta-analysis (Lancet Infect Dis. July 2007; 7(7)473-80) (DOI:10.1016/S1473-3099(07)70160-3). Researchers from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy reviewed findings from 14 randomized, controlled clinical trials (RCTs), evaluating the effect of echinacea on the incidence and duration of upper respiratory tract infection; more than 1,600 individuals were included in the analysis. Echinacea decreased the odds of developing the common cold by more than half (58 percent) and the duration of a cold by 1.4 days. Significant reductions were seen in subgroup analyses including concomitant use of other supplements or method of cold exposure.