Both adults and children can benefit from using echinacea and propolis to treat and prevent upper respiratory tract infections.
What is the benefit of echinacea?
One of the most widely used herbs in America right now is echinacea. Native Americans gave the medicinal herb echinacea its name because of the prickly scales that mimic the enraged hedgehog’s spines on its enormous conical seed head (echinos is Greek for hedgehog).
Native Americans may have used echinacea for more than 400 years to treat wounds and illnesses as well as a general “cure-all,” according to archaeologists who have discovered evidence of this. Echinacea has been used historically to treat blood poisoning, diphtheria, syphilis, malaria, and scarlet fever. Although this herb was widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries, its use started to diminish in the US once antibiotics were developed. In Germany, echinacea preparations gained popularity during the course of the 20th century. In actuality, Germany has been the site of the majority of echinacea scientific research.
Today, individuals take echinacea to lessen the severity of the common cold and flu and to lessen symptoms including fever, coughing, and sore throats (pharyngitis). Echinacea is another plant that many herbalists advise taking to help the body fight infections and strengthen the immune system.
General Uses
Echinacea may include active ingredients that improve immunological function, ease pain, lessen inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects, according to a number of laboratory and animal studies. Because of this, qualified herbalists may suggest echinacea as a treatment for slow-healing wounds, ear infections, athlete’s foot, sinusitis, vaginal yeast (Candida) infections, ear infections, otitis media, hay fever, and slow-healing wounds. Echinacea and cichoric acid may help suppress colon cancers, according to preliminary laboratory studies. According to one study, using echinacea extract before contracting the herpes simplex virus (HSVI) may have an antiviral effect on the recurrence of cold sores.
Common Cold
It is debatable if echinacea aids in the prevention or treatment of the common cold. According to certain research, the herb can hasten your recovery. Others claim that echinacea has no effect at all on a cold. According to several clinical studies, persons who take echinacea as soon as they start to feel unwell have milder colds and experience less symptoms than those who do not. In a study of 95 patients who had fever, runny nose, scratchy throat, and other early signs of the flu and cold, it was discovered that those who drank many cups of echinacea tea daily for five days felt well more quickly than those who drank tea without the herb.
Echinacea decreased cold risk by 58 percent and cold duration by 1 to 4 days, according to a study of 14 clinical trials. Some experts, however, contest these results, arguing the research had a number of flaws. Clinical trials have used a variety of echinacea formulations. It’s crucial to get a high-quality echinacea supplement and to start taking it as soon as a cold starts, numerous times each day for the first few days. For advice, consult your health care practitioner.
What negative impacts does propolis have?
- Skin or respiratory problems caused by allergies, especially in those who are sensitive to bees or bee products
- Angry feelings and mouth sores (lozenges)
There may be other negative effects because not all potential ones are listed in this document. For further details on side effects, speak with your doctor.
What Other Drugs Interact with Propolis?
If your physician has prescribed this medication for you, he or she may already be aware of any potential drug interactions and may be keeping an eye out for them. Never begin, stop, or alter the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor, healthcare provider, or pharmacist.
There are no documented severe, major, moderate, or mild interactions between propolis and other medications.
The interactions and negative effects mentioned here are not all possible. Therefore, inform your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use prior to using this medicine. Keep a list of all your prescriptions on hand, and let your doctor and pharmacist know what you are taking. If you need additional medical advice, have questions about your health, concerns, or would like more information about this medication, consult a medical practitioner.
Warnings
- This drug includes propolis. If you have an allergy to propolis or any of the other ingredients in this medication, avoid taking bee glue, bee putty, bienenharz, cera alba, galangin, hive dross, Nivcrisol, or propolin.
Keep out of children’s reach. In the event of an overdose, seek emergency medical attention or call a poison control center.
Contraindications
- Intolerance to bee products
- None
- See “What Are the Effects of Using Propolis?” for further information.
- Certain people have allergies.
- There is no information on using propolis while breastfeeding or when pregnant.
Does echinacea benefit the lungs?
There is limited proof that Echinacea helps treat other ailments, and researchers have not yet established if it might lessen the severity of a cold.
The authors of a review discovered in 2011 that various echinacea extracts may aid in the treatment of viral respiratory infections. They do, however, make the point that the lack of uniformity among Echinacea products may prevent consumers from discovering efficient treatments.
A commercial medicine containing Echinacea extract may help prevent severe respiratory illnesses brought on by coronaviruses, according to a study from 2020.
However, other researchers point out that this little study did not examine how the product affected the virus that causes coronavirus illness 19 (COVID-19).
In addition, the product had not been tested on actual humans but rather solely on cell lines and viral particles. Additionally, the study was not peer-reviewed, and it in no way suggests that echinacea can treat COVID-19.
The scientists who issued the warning also mention that autoimmune disease sufferers may be at risk from the product.
There is no proof that Echinacea or any other herbal medication component can treat COVID-19 or other severe respiratory disorders.
What well-known herbal remedy helps prevent upper respiratory infections?
- Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), such as the common cold, can be prevented and treated with echinacea, a well-known nutritional supplement.
- With no notable side effects, echinacea may slightly lower the risk of developing a URTI, but the importance of this benefit may vary depending on how the preparations/products are manufactured and used.
- The use of echinacea does not seem to shorten the duration of a URTI.
- Consider your current health conditions and any combinations with other vitamins or medications you use when determining how echinacea may affect you specifically. Always incorporate advice from your healthcare provider into your own research.
More and more individuals are using dietary supplements to prevent and cure a variety of health issues, from selenium for cancer to vitamin D for diabetes to fish oil capsules for high blood pressure (13). The common cold, which affects the pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), sinuses, or nose, is one example of an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (45).
Many people are turning to echinacea, a collection of North American wildflowers in the daisy family, to cure or prevent URTIs (4;6-9). E. angustifolia, E. purpurea, and E. pallida are three species in particular that are used medicinally. Different echinacea products use different parts of the plant, different combinations of species are used, different methods are used to extract the therapeutic compounds, and different natural ingredients may be added (10). Additionally, they come in a variety of forms, including tablets and capsules, juices, teas, extracts, drops, and powders (4).
How many individuals have jumped on the echinacea bandwagon? It’s safe to state that “a lot” with yearly sales in the US ranging from $10100 million. You might be surprised to learn that echinacea’s safety and effectiveness are still under question given this devoted following (4;1116). One recent systematic review contributed to the conversation by focusing on the question of whether echinacea can treat or prevent URTIs (4).
What results from daily echinacea use?
The United States and Canada are home to the blooming plant echinacea. Additionally known as coneflower. It belongs to the family of plants known as daisies. For many years, echinacea has been used as a herbal treatment. The viruses that cause colds, sore throats, and the flu are now frequently prevented or treated with it.
Most drug stores and health food stores carry echinacea products. It is available as teas, pills, liquid extracts, capsules, or dried plants. It is one of the most widely used herbs in the country.
Path to improved health
Echinacea is frequently used as a dietary supplement to treat infections like the common cold. They believe it stimulates the immune system. This improves the body’s ability to combat the infection. As a result, the illness might not persist as long. When feeling well, some people use it to avoid getting sick.
Consult your primary care physician before using echinacea to treat a cold or the flu. Make sure to conduct your study as well. Before being sold, dietary supplements do not require FDA approval. The components in some supplements may not be what is listed on the label. Find a company that quality tests its items. You will then be certain that you are acting appropriately.
Pay close attention to the package label. Echinacea is available in a wide range of doses and strengths. Additionally, it may be combined with other nutrients. Observe the instructions on the packaging. Take only the prescribed amount. It can be hazardous to take more than is advised.
The majority of companies advise against eating echinacea on an empty stomach. They advise drinking a lot of water or eating before taking it. Echinacea shouldn’t be taken for more than a few weeks. Long-term safety has not been sufficiently investigated.
Before taking echinacea or any supplements, consult your doctor. If it will conflict with any other medications you take, he or she can let you know. They can also suggest the appropriate dosage for you.
Keep all herbal products out of young children’s sight and reach. To prevent them from losing their potency, keep them in a cool, dry area. Avoid keeping them in restrooms, which tend to get warm and muggy.
Does it work?
On the impact of echinacea on the common cold, numerous studies have been conducted. Researchers have not yet discovered concrete proof of its efficacy. They don’t think that taking it as soon as a cold hits will make it go away faster. Taking it when you are healthy may somewhat lower your risk of contracting a cold.
What are the side effects?
Minor adverse effects are possible with echinacea. These symptoms can include nausea, dizziness, and a queasy stomach. Allergic reactions such as redness, swelling, and breathing difficulties are considered serious adverse effects. It may exacerbate asthmatic symptoms. Inform your doctor as soon as possible of any negative effects you have.
Daisy family plants can cause allergy reactions in some people. These could include chrysanthemums, marigolds, ragweed, daisies, or other flowers. This could increase your chance of experiencing an allergic reaction to echinacea.
Those who shouldn’t use echinacea
The more frequent echinacea adverse effects are as follows:
- headaches
- dizziness
- feeling unwell
- belly pain
- constipation
- skin repercussions (redness, itchiness and swelling)
- Children are more likely to have them.
Echinacea use for longer than 8 weeks at a time may cause liver damage or immune system suppression. If you are taking medications known to have an adverse effect on your liver, herbalists advise against taking echinacea.
Check with your doctor first if you are having any other drugs, herbs, or supplements.
Using echinacea safely
If you want to substitute echinacea for your cancer therapy, let your doctor know. Additionally, if you are considering taking it concurrently with your cancer therapy.
In some people, it may not be safe to use in conjunction with other cancer treatments.
Echinacea may impair the effectiveness of some chemotherapy medications, including etoposide.
Sometimes pharmacists and medical professionals advise lymphoma patients not to consume echinacea. This is so that it won’t affect how they’re being treated.
Researchers discovered that echinacea and etravine were safe to ingest together in HIV-positive individuals.
If any of the following apply to you before consuming echinacea:
- are breastfeeding or pregnant
- have a medical condition like autoimmune illness, HIV, or AIDS that impairs your immune system
- are medicating to weaken your immune system because it might fight them
- are under 12 years old
- There is a possibility of allergic responses including skin rashes, according to the medical health regulatory association (MHRA).
Always discuss the use of complementary or alternative cancer therapy with your doctors and nurses. They could affect how well your other therapies work.
Your treatment team can point you in the direction of further resources if they don’t have the knowledge you need.
Can covid be cured with propolis?
A frequent COVID-19 consequence is bacterial infection. The antibacterial qualities of propolis have been used for a very long time, and they may be used to treat bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients.
Propolis benefits the immune system, right?
Many immunological illnesses have been treated as complimentary or alternatively using propolis’ immunomodulatory properties.
Propolis had immunomodulatory effects on macrophages in an in vitro study,[6] whereas propolis enhanced the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio in vivo in mice.
[8] This may help to explain why propolis is used to treat acute and chronic inflammations such as sinusitis, pharingotracheitis, periodontitis, cutaneous ulcers, and lower and upper airway illnesses. [9]
Propolis treatment in immunosuppressive animals reduced the effects of cyclophosphamide and increased the survival rate of the mice.
[10] The combination of propolis and Taishan Pinus massoniana pollen polysaccharide had synergistic effects that enhanced immune system performance and reduced viral loads in hens co-infected with immunosuppressive viruses. This opened up new possibilities for more potent natural treatments and prevention for illnesses that depress the immune system. [11] When used as a vaccine adjuvant, propolis has been shown to increase its protective index by increasing phagocytic activity, inducing higher antibody titers and mucosal immunity, enhancing cellular response, and promoting peripheral lymphocyte proliferation and leukocytic reaction. These effects have been shown to reduce the optimal dose concentration, lengthen vaccine protection, induce early protection, and enhance nonspecific immunity. [12,13]
The results showed that propolis boosted the cellular immune response, as demonstrated by the increase in the production of mRNA to IFN- in mice immunized against inactivated Suid herpesvirus type 1. Additionally, it raised the proportion of mice that were resistant to the lethal dose of Suid herpesvirus type 1 challenge. [15] These results might point to the potential for employing propolis and/or its constituent parts as a vaccine adjuvant. Today, propolis is made into microemulsions to enhance the immune-modulating effect. This preparation increases therapeutic activity and targets specificity and provides a novel vehicle for drug delivery by regulating and enabling sustained release for propolis administered locally, enterally, or parenterally. [16]
Mice’s peritoneal macrophages are stimulated to produce tumor necrosis factor and interleukin (IL) by propolis.
[17] Major anticomplementary chemicals were thought to exist in propolis’ bioactive phenolic and flavonoid components. [18] Water-soluble propolis preparations blocked both the alternative and traditional complement system pathways, according to in vitro tests. [19]
Propolis has been proven to be able to treat allergy conditions by preventing the release of histamine. Significant sneezing and antigen-induced nasal rubbing suppression was generated. [20] Additionally, earlier studies discovered that in primary human CD4+ T lymphocytes, caffeic acid phenethyl ester activated caspase-3 expression and blocked the nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) and protein kinase-B signaling pathways. [21] Other investigations have verified that the antiallergy effect of propolis or/and its active ingredients was caused by the suppression of immunoglobulin E levels as a result of the inhibition of platelet-activating factor release and NF-B activation. [22] According to a study, oral propolis 200 mg/kg administration reduced eosinophil count, vascular proliferation, ciliary loss, inflammation, and the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms when compared to the ketotifen, furoate, and mometasone groups in an ovalbumin-induced rat model of allergic rhinitis. [23] These findings back up propolis’ anti-allergic properties.
Through the production of nitric oxide from L-arginine, propolis stimulates macrophage activity.
[27] Nitric oxide is a crucial component of macrophages’ microbicidal arsenal because it prevents DNA synthesis, mitochondrial respiration, and active transport in bacterial and fungi membranes. [28] It was demonstrated that propolis therapy prevented the inhibition of toll-like receptor-4 expression and restored toll-like receptor-2 mRNA expression at least partially. In addition, propolis treatment helped mice recognize microbes under stressful circumstances. [29]
Orsoli and Basi also hypothesized that higher T- and B-cell proliferation would be connected to macrophages from propolis-treated mice’s elevated IL-1 production.
[6] After 15 days of immunization, propolis treatment in rats has been shown to boost antibody production. [31]
It has been demonstrated that propolis’ capacity to control antibody formation has a significant impact on several innate immune response cells.
[32] Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that giving caffeic acid phenethyl ester to female mice for 14 days increases antibody production, which is explained by an increase in T-lymphocyte proliferation and splenocyte secretion of IL-4 and IL-2. [33] Additionally, caffeic acid phenethyl ester treatment can shield rats against cardiotoxicity caused by cyclosporine A. [34] In conclusion, propolis improved both innate and adaptive immunity in old mice. [35]
Propolis was proven to be effective in protecting athletes from hyperthermic stress. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester may improve hyperthermal tolerance in immune mononuclear cells of competitive cyclists because it can, in a dose-dependent manner, reduce or reverse necrosis, hyperthermia-induced survival inhibition, glutathione depletion, superoxide production, and intracellular superoxide burst. [36]
Promising findings that suggest the potential for employing propolis derivatives for the treatment or prevention of the onset of cancer through natural killer cytotoxic action have recently been published.
[37]