Efficacy in the Treatment of the Common Cold of a Preparation Containing an Echinacea Extract

Int. J. Immunotherapy 1995;   21(4):   163–166

Scaglione F, Lund B

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an anti-cold remedy including vitamin C (100 mg) and Echinacea purpurea (L.) root extract in the treatment of the common cold. The study was randomized, single-blind, and placebo-controlled. Thirty-two subjects (17 male and 15 female, age ranging between 18 and 71 years) were enrolled in this study. The evaluation parameter was the duration of the illness based on the rhinorrea and the number of paper tissues used daily by each subject. The length of the common cold was 3.37 days in the verum-treated patients and 4.37 days in the placebo-treated patients (p < 0.01). Also the number of tissues used was different between the two groups (882 treated; 1168 placebo). The preparation (Cold-X) including Echinacea was found to be useful and safe for the treatment of the common cold. Other trials under double-blind conditions would be welcomed in order to confirm these results, and basic studies are also necessary in order to elucidate the mechanism of action.

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