The following is a review of the positive research findings on echinacea . These are all part of the body's generic or nonspecific response to injury or illness. Macrophages are a type of white blood cell, and cytokines are weapons in the nonspecific immune system. Again, this is part of the nonspecific immune response. E. angustifolia root extract enhanced the primary and secondary IgG response to antigen exposure.
Antibodies are part of the acquired or specific branch of the immune system.
They are produced in response to specific invaders, such as viruses or bacteria. Other studies have not been able to duplicate these effects on acquired immunity. Seven German studies involving 910 subjects looked at the effect of echinacea on the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms. Injecting echinacea extract in humans increased the C-reactive protein level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Commission E is a committee of health care experts formed by the German government in 1978 to examine the safety and effectiveness of herbal medications.