Wednesday, June 27, 2007

We Always Knew Echinacea Worked

I just love it when this happens. Something you have taken for years and know is effective is validated by a University in the U.S. Because really nothing counts until a U.S. University says it does.

But the good news here is that while we have all been taking Echinacea (a herb) to help ease or prevent colds, now they have discovered it can help with infections as well.

Dr. Craig Coleman of the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy found that people who took Echinacea had a 58% lower risk of catching a cold, as reported on MSNBC.

Now before the day is out there will be an outcry by certain companies that this isn't true. Dr. Coleman seems to realize this and commented in the article that," someone needs to do a really large, well-done, randomized trial." And he went even further to say that this study might not be forthcoming since drug companies cannot patent such a widely used herbal product.

But I say it doesn't matter. We are all aware, by now, of the value of herbs and other natural sources to treat ailments and this study is just one more piece of evidence that some people need to start trying natural methods.