Our all natural cold and flu remedies - clinically proven to provide relief

Echinaforce^® -
Frequently Asked Questions

Is it true that you should only take Echinaforce for a few weeks at a time?
Echinaforce can be taken long term if necessary. It does not over stimulate the immune system nor does it lose its effectiveness when taken over a period of time. If you are normally healthy, we recommend taking Echinaforce as and when it’s needed: at the first sign of a cold. If however you tend to catch infections all winter, it is advisable to take 20 drops each day without a break.

The information warning against taking Echinacea long term was taken from a German study carried out over a decade ago. Unfortunately this article was mistranslated and thus, much of the information on Echinacea was incorrect.

There are different warnings in the leaflet compared to the box. Why is this?
If a licensed product has contra-indications, by law, they must be mentioned ON the box. The warnings on the leaflet were put there for general information, to give our customers good advice.

Are there any side effects when taking Echinaforce?
Very few have ever been reported. However, Echinaforce is a member of the daisy family and people allergic to daisies may also have a problem with Echinaforce. Herbal medicines, as with all types of medication, don’t always suit everyone.

Can Echinaforce be taken with prescribed upper respiratory tract medication?
Echinaforce can be taken with most medications, but if anyone is on prescribed medication they should inform their Doctor that they are taking a herbal remedy.

Why do you use Echinacea purpurea? I was told angustifolia was better.
We have studied many research papers on Echinacea and purpurea has been shown to be most effective in its actions.

A German researcher called Bauer has done the most pertinent research on Echinacea. He found that Echinacea purpurea had a stronger effect on the immune system than other species of Echinacea. He also identified the levels of chicoric acid in Echinacea purpurea as being higher than in other species. Chicoric acid causes a marked stimulation of phagocytosis, as well as having antiviral activity. Phagocytosis is the process by which white blood cells called phagocytes ingest and destroy harmful micro- organisms. (Bauer R, Wagner H. Echinacea. Ein Handbuch fur Artze, Apotheker und andere Naturwissenschafter. Stuggart: wissenschaftliche Verlagsgessellschaft, 1990.pp182.)

Can I take Echinacea with high blood pressure medication or blood thinning drugs such as Aspirin or Warfarin?
Yes. There are no known contraindications taking these drugs with Echinacea. We do, however, advise anyone on prescribed medication to inform their Doctor that they are taking a herbal medicine.

Can I take Echinacea with the Pill?
Yes. Echinacea’s main action is upon immune function and there are no indications that it has any effect on the hormones.