Echinacea fails to meet quality standards

Related tags Echinacea Common cold Us

Echinacea supplements, one of the most popular herbal remedies in
the US, which is taken to treat the common cold, do not meet
quality standards according to researchers whose findings prove how
dietary supplements differ in their contents and quality, writes
Wai Lang Chu

A team from ConsumerLab.com found that out of eleven products that contained echinacea five failed to pass independent testing. Lower than claimed amounts of key compounds such as echinacosides and phenols were the most common problem. One product contained a higher than acceptable amount of lead.

Echinacea was the top-selling single herb in 2002, with sales of $187.9 million, representing 10 per cent of the dietary supplement market in the US. The herb is sold in different forms - capsules, liquid - and only some products label the concentration of echinacea present - normally an indication of the quality of echinacea used.

The researchers evaluated echinacea products to determine whether they contained the claimed and expected amount and type of echinacea. They also screened for microbial and lead contamination. They report their findings on their website.

Of the 11 samples tested, one contained excessive lead contamination with 2.5 micrograms of lead per daily serving exceeding the California state limit. Three products were low in phenols - plant chemicals used to judge the quality of echinacea. It is believed that higher phenol levels relate to higher potency.

One product's label claimed its amounts of phenols and echinacea were based on a method of analysis that was not an industry standard. Using a more specific and accepted form of testing lower concentrations of these ingredients were found.

Tod Cooperman, President of Consumerlab.com said: "If you are not getting the expected effect with echinacea, it may be the brand."

"Products may fall short for many reasons: The wrong plant species or plant part may be used; levels of important plant chemicals may be low if the herb is not properly grown, harvested, processed, shipped and stored; and lead levels may be high due to contaminated soil."

Despite the huge variation of different blends and concentrations available on the market, very few have been tested. There have been estimates of around 200 different forms, from teas to capsules, sold nationwide.

The Journal of the American Medical Association​ reported in December 2003 on a syrup made with the herb, which reduced the number of respiratory tract infections in children but did not reduce the severity or duration of the infection.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin, US, went one step further and claimed echinacea, when used to treat the common cold, had no effect when tested on a small group of students with colds.

Related topics Botanicals

Related news

Related products

show more

New Study for Female Athletes

New Study for Female Athletes

Content provided by Gencor | 19-Oct-2023 | Product Brochure

In a recent clinical trial backing its ingredient Libifem® for improved muscle strength, power, endurance and body composition with a females-only popluation...

The Art of Organic Certification

The Art of Organic Certification

Content provided by FoodChain ID | 09-Oct-2023 | White Paper

The organic food market has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade, providing a major opportunity for food brands and manufacturers to tap...

An Insights-driven Holistic Approach to Health

An Insights-driven Holistic Approach to Health

Content provided by Lipofoods, a Lubrizol Company | 25-Sep-2023 | Product Brochure

As they adopt the notion of holistic health, proactive consumers are driving the demand for products that have science-backed ingredients and offer sensory...

A Lifetime of Healthy Aging: White Paper

A Lifetime of Healthy Aging: White Paper

Content provided by Gencor | 16-Aug-2023 | White Paper

Live a lifetime of healthy aging with gold standard, clinically-researched ingredients. At Gencor, we are proud to offer ingredients for healthy ageing...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars