Can Echinacea have an impact on an athlete?

Echinacea is a floral extract sold in pharmacies to help treat colds/flu symptoms. It does so by stimulating the body to produce more of a certain type of white blood cells which would fight infection. That very kind of white blood cells also stimulates the kidney to produce more red blood cells.

All of the above are the grounding of the claims surrounding Echinacea, which are:

1. Fortifies the body’s immune system
2. Shortens the duration of sickness
3. Increases the amount of Red Blood Cells
4. Enhances endurance

There is no doubt what so ever that Echinacea enhances the body’s immune system. A lot of evidence backs it up, going even further to say that it can speed up recovery from a cold/flu symptoms. This means that Echinacea not only reduces the risk of you getting a cold/flu, but it would also help clear up the symptoms and speed up your recovery if you were to contract either.

Another claim surrounding Echinacea is its ability to stimulate the kidney to produce hormones responsible for erythropoesis meaning the body has more Red Blood Cells (RBCs) going around. This would increase the body’s affinity to oxygen meaning more oxygen can be carried around the blood to the body. This is great for those taking part in endurance sport since it hinders the onset of fatigue meaning they improve their endurance.

The main concern surrounding Echinacea is an allergic reaction, which must be noted is very rare!

The recommended doses of Echinacea are:

• Dried for use in a beverage such as tea: 1 – 2 grams dried root
• Liquid extract: 2 – 3 ml
• Powdered extract containing 4% phenolics: 300 mg

Unlike most supplements, Echinacea is not one to be taken everyday. The maximum consecutive use is about 10-14 days.

For illness, it’s best to take Echinacea when first feeling the signs of a cold or flu coming on.

In conclusion, Echinacea will help you improve your immune system, fight disease and speed your recovery from the common cold meaning you can get back into training quicker. It’s also associated with an increase in endurance levels. You would have to be ensure you don’t take it for more than 14 consecutive days and keep an eye out for an unlikely allergic reaction.

References

1. Linde K, Barrett B, Woelkart K, Bauer R, Melchart D. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006; (1): CD000530.

2. Turner RB, Bauer R, Woelkart K, Hulsey TC, Gangemi JD. An evaluation of Echinacea angustifolia in experimental rhinovirus infections. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2005; 353(4): 341–348.

3. Granato H. Echinacea May Support Immunity in Athletes. Nat Prod Insider 2007

4. Block KI. Immune System Effects of Echinacea, Ginseng, and Astragalus: A Review. Intergrative Cancer Therapies 2003; 2 (3): 247-67

5. Whitehead MT, Martin TD, Scheett TP, Webster MJ.Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2007 Aug;17(4):378-90..