Comments on: Beat the Common Cold http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2007/11/07/beat-the-common-cold/ The Alternative Consumer provides product reviews, eco news and green info to the next wave of smart consumers. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:47:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Molly Roberts http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2007/11/07/beat-the-common-cold/comment-page-1/#comment-37067 Molly Roberts Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:48:23 +0000 http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2007/11/07/beat-the-common-cold/#comment-37067 Why do you suggest I dismiss a product based on clinical trials? In fact, all studies I have encountered drawn the similar conclusion that echinacea plays no role in preventing or curing the common cold. As with all ingested medication, there is a risk of an allergic reaction with echinacea. Furthermore, a University of Washington study from 2004 an increased incidence of rash amongst test subjects upon ingesting the drug. I am not dismissing echinacea- I am just relaying what I have learned through my research. There is an inherent bias against herbal remedies, but this does not mean that scientific studies should be brushed aside- these are not preformed by drug companies and can give you sound advice. Its up to the patient to make the final call, and if echinacea helps you then by all means continue taking it. -molly Why do you suggest I dismiss a product based on clinical trials? In fact, all studies I have encountered drawn the similar conclusion that echinacea plays no role in preventing or curing the common cold. As with all ingested medication, there is a risk of an allergic reaction with echinacea. Furthermore, a University of Washington study from 2004 an increased incidence of rash amongst test subjects upon ingesting the drug. I am not dismissing echinacea- I am just relaying what I have learned through my research. There is an inherent bias against herbal remedies, but this does not mean that scientific studies should be brushed aside- these are not preformed by drug companies and can give you sound advice. Its up to the patient to make the final call, and if echinacea helps you then by all means continue taking it.
-molly

]]> By: Gabrielle http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2007/11/07/beat-the-common-cold/comment-page-1/#comment-36449 Gabrielle Fri, 09 Nov 2007 03:19:38 +0000 http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2007/11/07/beat-the-common-cold/#comment-36449 Echinacea's effectiveness may not be clinically proven, but would it benefit the clinics doing the testing if it were? Might there not be a bias against most, if not all, herbal remedies? I take echinacea at first sign of immunity compromise and I have experience with maybe one cold virus every two or three years, if that. Side effects? I've never had any from taking echinacea. I'm a bit surprised that an alternative consumer blog would be dismissing echinacea based on clinical trials and an unsubstantiated claim of "potential side effects". Echinacea’s effectiveness may not be clinically proven, but would it benefit the clinics doing the testing if it were? Might there not be a bias against most, if not all, herbal remedies? I take echinacea at first sign of immunity compromise and I have experience with maybe one cold virus every two or three years, if that.

Side effects? I’ve never had any from taking echinacea. I’m a bit surprised that an alternative consumer blog would be dismissing echinacea based on clinical trials and an unsubstantiated claim of “potential side effects”.

]]> By: flax seed http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2007/11/07/beat-the-common-cold/comment-page-1/#comment-36307 flax seed Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:27:50 +0000 http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2007/11/07/beat-the-common-cold/#comment-36307 Good suggestions for natural methods to cold relief. It would be good for our immune defenses to skip on the usual medicines for a while and treat the body using natural remedies and <a> herbal supplements</a>. Good suggestions for natural methods to cold relief. It would be good for our immune defenses to skip on the usual medicines for a while and treat the body using natural remedies and herbal supplements.

]]>