People's Pharmacy

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Echinacea Strikes Out As Cold Cure

Posting Date: 08/08/2005

Q. My sister recently visited me with a bad cold and introduced me to echinacea. I now take it three times a day to prevent colds. What do you think about it? Are there any other natural cold remedies I can use?

A. Echinacea has been a disappointment. Although it has been the best selling herbal remedy against the common cold, the evidence supporting it has been thin. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (July 28, 2005) showed that echinacea root extract was ineffective at preventing experimental colds. Nearly 400 volunteers had cold viruses sprayed into their noses, but those getting echinacea extract fared no better than those on placebo.

Two other herbs that may eventually prove more promising are Andrographis paniculata (available in a standardized formulation called Kold Kare) and Astragalus membranaceus. Both are Chinese herbs. Preliminary research suggests they may help, but other well-controlled studies are needed.

Q. What can you tell me about red yeast rice? My doctor recommended this cholesterol-lowering supplement instead of prescription medicine. Could I continue to eat grapefruit every morning if I decide to try it?

A. Red yeast rice contains some lovastatin, the ingredient in the prescription drug Mevacor. There are also other statin-like compounds in this dietary supplement.

Because of such ingredients we think you should avoid grapefruit if you take red yeast rice. Although the fruit and juice are refreshing, they can increase blood levels of many medicines, including some statins (Lipitor, Zocor and Mevacor). When blood levels go up, there is increased risk of toxicity.

We are sending you our Guides To Grapefruit Interactions and Cholesterol so that you will know most of the other medications that are affected and how to protect yourself from this problem. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. JL-97, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.