The effectiveness of echinacea, an herb believed to boost the immune system and cure common illnesses, is being tested at a local research institute in cooperation with ASU.
The Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, a Tempe-based naturopathic college, and Gaia Herbs, an herbal manufacturer, received a $2 million grant from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine to scientifically support or refute the claim that echinacea can cure everyday aliments.
During the four-year study, which started at the end of September, the Southwest College will work with the ASU Molecular and Cellular Biology Program and the Ohio State College of Pharmacy to get a better understanding of the biological activities of echinacea.
Echinacea is primarily used to help cure colds and the flu, sore throat, minor infections and may even help combat herpes and candida, according to the Herb Research Foundation.
Echinacea also increases the “non-specific” activity of the immune system, which means that the herb initiates the overall activity of the cells that fight infection, according to the HRF.
There is no known toxicity from taking echinacea, but research is inconclusive, said Linda Kim, associate director of the Southwest College Research Institute.
The objective of the study is to find a standard form of echinacea that consumers and professionals can depend on, Kim said.
“Echinacea is probably the most popular herb in the country, or even the world,” she said.
Mary Rimsza, director of the ASU Student Health Center, said usually echinacea is used to prevent colds, but she does not prescribe it to her patients.
“There hasn’t been any research to show that echinacea works,” Rimsza said.
Kim said the study will focus on the herb preventing colds and flu and reducing recovery time from illness.
“There appears to be some help from using echinacea,” she said.
Echinacea can be extracted from all parts of the plant and can be taken as a liquid, capsule or tea.
Reach Jennifer Voges at jennyvoges@hotmail.com.
