Ech/Zinc/VitC

E L I X C O L D / F L U

Echinacea
Echinacea is a native American plant that has been documented for use as a traditional medicine for more than a century. Its traditional uses have been to boost immune function, especially for colds and flu and as a topical medicine to stimulate wound healing. Recent studies have indicated that the plant is pharmacologically active and the traditional usage of echinacea has been verified through clinical research.

History
Echinacea are perennial herbs native to the Midwestern and Northwestern United States. The genus derives its name from the Greek echinos (meaning sea urchin). This refers to the prickly scales of the dried seed head portion of the flower.

Medicinal use of Echinacea species among the American Indians was quite common. They chewed the root for sore throat, sore gums, toothaches and mouth sores. The root was used internally and externally for snake bites, stings and other poisonous conditions. The Choctaw chewed the root of E. pallida for bad colds accompanied by dyspepsia. (Foster, 1991). H.F.C. Meyer, the German lay physician who first introduced echinacea to the medical profession learned of its medicinal powers from the Native Americans, probably the Pawnee, living in Nebraska at the time. He made a patent medicine in the 1870s from the plant.

John King, an Eclectic physician, together with John Uri Lloyd was instrumental in bringing echinacea to the medical profession in 1887. An extract of E. angusfifolia was made available by Lloyd Brothers Pharmacy Inc. at the end of the nineteenth century and became widely used by Ecletic physicians for infectious and inflammatory conditions. Echinacea was included in the National Formulary of the US until 1950. The usage of Echinacea began to decline the 1930s in the United States with the advent of newer prescription drugs, but the resurgence of its use for self-medication during times of colds and flu has been seen in recent years.

Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that is involved in a multitude of human body functions and is a part of many enzyme systems involved in energy metabolism. Zinc has been shown to support immune function by helping regulate the function of white blood cells and by increasing T lymphocyte production. Double-blind studies verify that zinc therapy is helpful in reducing the incidence and severity of colds and other viral infections.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is being shown through continuous research to stimulate the immune system by activating white blood cells and increasing production of lymphocytes. In higher amounts, vitamin C may actually increase interferon production and thus activate the immune response to viruses. It may also decrease the production of histamine, thereby reducing cold and allergy symptoms.

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