Herbal remedy prevents cold
Echinacea, made from a group of related North American plants, also helps colds clear up more quickly, the findings suggest.
Scientists in the US pooled together evidence on the anti-cold properties of echinacea from 14 studies.
Combining the results, they found that taking the product decreased the overall risk of catching a cold by 58%.
The duration of colds was reduced by an average of 1.4 days.
The researchers, led by Dr Craig Coleman from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, reported their findings yesterday in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
They wrote: “An analysis of the current evidence in the literature suggests that echinacea has a benefit in decreasing the incidence and duration of the common cold.”
Rare reported side-effects have included stomach upsets, nausea and dizziness.
Nine species of echinacea, also known as purple cornflower, are indigenous to North America. The plant was considered a potent medicine by Indians, and became popular as a herbal remedy in both Europe and America in the 1930s.
The US scientists identified more than 800 products containing Echinacea. Different parts of the plant, the flower, stem or root, were used in different products.
Professor Ronald Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre at the University of Cardiff, called the findings “a significant step in our battle against the common cold”.
