UK Study Says Echinacea Prevents Colds

ROGGWIL, SwitzerlandAccording to a new study, researchers believe Echinacea purpurea extract may help prevent colds. Published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the Cardiff University, UK study looked at more than 700 healthy subjects.

Over a four-month period, participants were given either Echinaforce (Bioforce) or a placebo. Echinaforce reduced the number of cold episodes, especially those caused by the Influenza virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Parainfluenza virus or Coronavirus. The placebo group had 52-percent more cold episodes that required analgesics medication.

Echinacea has long been heralded as an immune booster, in addition to ingredients such as probiotics, vitamin D and zinc.