Sam
NACYTRACY(AT)aol.com wrote:
> How Much Echinacea?
>
> Question: My husband and I have been taking echinacea for about three months.
> We take one capsule (400 mg) every day. I have found out that this should only
> be taken when one is feeling ill. Since you have a background in herbs, could
> you tell me what is fact and what is fiction? We are undecided on when to take
> it now and would like a straight answer. Also, if you could recommend a book
> for us to purchase that might make it helpful in determining what amounts to
> take of the vitamins, mineral, and natural herbs I would appreciate it. I am
> 54 and my husband is 60.
>
> Answer: To prevent your body from building up a tolerance to the immune
> stimulating effects of echinacea, most authorities discourage its daily use. I
> suggest you use it at the first sign of a cold or flu bug to help rally your
> immune system. You may also want to consider taking 500 mg of vitamin C each
> waking hour to block the ability of the virus to reproduce. This works
> extremely well for me. The Healing Power of Herbs by M. Murray does a great
> job of reviewing the studies on echinacea. It is widely available in
> bookstores.
>
> -- Dr. James Meschino