A.Vogel Echinaforce® Echinacea purpurea is known for its antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties Fresh organically grown Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) Clinically proven Sugar- and gluten-free Prevention is the first line of defense for getting through the cold and flu season successfully. A.Vogel Echinaforce® Echinacea Tablets helps your immune system stop germs before an infection takes hold. The active ingredients in this remedy decrease the ability of infectious agents to penetrate within the body's cells. They also improve the speed at which the immune cells respond to invading germs. A.Vogel Echinaforce® Echinacea Tablets can be taken daily for prevention of infections. Prevention is especially important for those who are more vulnerable to developing infections, it helps to: maintain an immune system that remains on alert and deals promptly with the first signs of infection reduce the need for antibiotics or other prescription medication helps maintain a better quality of life with fewer sick days away from school or the office. Prevention tips: wash hands with soap and water regularly to help prevent the spread of infection get at least 8 hours of restful sleep at night walk for at least 20 minutes outdoors per day feed your body whole, natural foods Composition Each tablet contains: Medicinal ingredient: Fresh organically grown* Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) Herb (ratio 5:1) ...6.35 mg, equivalent to 31.7 mg of organically grown* dried herb; Root (ratio 5.5:1) ...0.33 mg, equivalent to 1.8 mg of organically grown* dried root. Non-medicinal ingredients: Lactose, starch, vegetable magnesium stearate. * Certified by Bio Suisse Dosage General use recommendation: Take 15 minutes before meals. Allow to slowly dissolve in the mouth. Adults and adolescents over 15 years old: Take 2 tablets, 3 times daily. Adolescents 10 to14 years old: Take 1 tablet, 3 times daily. Children 5 to9 years old: Give 1 tablet, 2 times daily. Children 2 to 4 years old: Give 1 tablet daily. Duration of use: Consult a healthcare practitioner for use beyond 8 weeks. Historical overview Long before the coming of the European settlers, the native Americans used Echinacea (also called Purple Cone Flower) to treat a variety of problems, from infections to snake bites. In the United States, Echinacea was popularized by the eclectic physicians` movement in the 19th Century. After that, its use was almost forgotten until the 1980`s. In Europe, however, Echinacea was popular with the medical world from the beginning of the Century and has been the subject of numerous clinical studies. Today, Echinacea is the most widely sold medicinal herb in the world. Actions and pharmacology In vitro studies have revealed Echinaceas action mechanism: its polysaccharides and polyacetylenes fractions stimulate the phagocytosis of macrophages and the production of cytokines like interleukine-1, interleukine-6 (also called interferon beta), interleukine-10 and TNF alpha factor. This effect shows echinaceas ability to stimulate the immune system in cases of infection.(1) Chicoric acid and analogues derived from caffeic acid are presently under investigation for their effect on HIV-1 replication.(2) Echinacea, particularly the echinacosides and caffeic acid derivatives, might protect collagen structures against degradation (oxidation) caused by free radicals. This antioxidant effect is also useful to relieve the inflammation generated by the immune system during its fight against cold viruses. Chicoric acid and analogues derived from caffeic acid are presently under investigation for their effect on HIV-1 replication.(2) Echinacea, particularly the echinacosides and caffeic acid derivatives, might protect collagen structures against degradation (oxidation) caused by free radicals. This antioxidant effect is also useful to relieve the inflammation generated by the immune system during its fight against the viruses of colds. Scientific Studies Many clinical studies demonstrate Echinaceas efficacy as an immune system stimulant.(3-5) According to the authors of an important meta-analysis (a review of articles on clinical studies), echinacea is effective against respiratory infections, especially if taken as soon as the first symptoms appear.(6) Echinaforce® specifically has also been the subject of conclusive clinical studies. A double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted in Sweden on Echinaforce® tablets. 246 patients suffering from colds took either 6 Echinaforce® tablets daily, a special Echinacea preparation (7 times more concentrated), another form of Echinacea, or a placebo. Echinaforce® and the concentrated preparation were equally effective in reducing cold symptoms and significantly more effective than the other Echinacea preparation or the placebo.(7) Another study conducted on 119 patients demonstrated a 60% improvement of cold symptoms with Echinaforce® tablets as compared to a placebo.(8) Precautions, contraindications and interactions Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are taking immunosuppressants, or if you have a progressive systemic disease such as: tuberculosis, leucosis, collagenosis or multiple sclerosis. Do not use if you have an allergy to the Asteraceae/Compositae (daisy) family and in case of known allergy to any of the ingredients in the product. Consult a healthcare practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Do not use if safety seal is broken. Keep out of reach of children. References 1.Burger Ra, Torres AR, Warren RP et al. Echinacea-induced cytokine by human macrophages. Int J Immunopharmacol 1997;19(7):371-9. 2.Lin Z, Neamati N, Zhao H et al. Chicoric acid analogues as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. J Med Chem 1999;42(8):1401-14. 3.Gunning K. Echinacea in the treatment and prevention of upper respiratory tract infections. West J Med 1999;171:198-200. 4.Barrett B, Vohmann M, Calabrese C. Echinacea for upper respiratory infection. J Fam Pract 1999;48:628-35. 5.Grimm W, Muller HH. A randomized controlled trial of the effect of fluid extract of Echinacea purpurea on the incidence and severity of colds and respiratory infections. Am J Med 1999;106:138-43. 6.Barrett B, Vohmann M et Calabrese C. Echinacea for Upper respiratory infections. J Fam Pract 1999;48(8):628-35. 7.Brinkeborn RM, Shah DV, Degenring FH. Echinaforce® and other Echinacea fresh plant preparations in the treatment of the common cold. A randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Phytomedicine 1999 Mar;6(1):1-6 8.Brinkeborn RM, Shah DV, Geissbühler S, Degenring FH. Echinaforce® dans le traitement des états grippaux aigus. Schweiz Zschr GanzheitsMedizin 1998;10(1):26-9. 9.Gallo M, Sarkar M, Au W et al. Pregnancy outcome following gestational exposure to echinacea: a prospective controlled study. Arch Intern Med 2000;160(20):3141-3