This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Block, K. I. Articles by Mead, M. N. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Block, K. I. Articles by Mead, M. N. Pubmed/NCBI databases Substance via MeSH Medline Plus Health Information Herbal Medicine Immune System and Disorders Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Immune System Effects of Echinacea, Ginseng, and Astragalus: A Review

Institute for Integrative Cancer Care and Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care, Evanston, Illinois; the Department of Family Practice, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; and the Program for Collaborative Research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, research{at}blockmedical.com

Mark N. Mead, MS

Institute for Integrative Cancer Care and Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care, Evanston, Illinois

Traditional herbal medicine provides several remedies for strengthening the body's resistance to illness through effects on immune system components. This review article examines 3 popular herbal immune stimulants that are often of interest to cancer patients. Echinacea, a native of North America, is widely used to prevent, or provide early treatment for, colds. Preclinical studies lend biological plausibility to the idea that echinacea works through immune mechanisms. Numerous clinical trials have been carried out on echinacea preparations: it appears that the extracts shorten the duration and severity of colds and other upper respiratory infections (URIs) when given as soon as symptoms become evident. However, trials of long-term use of echinacea as a preventive have not shown positive results. Ginseng has been studied in some depth as an antifatigue agent, but studies of immune mechanisms have not proceeded so far. Preclinical evidence shows some immune-stimulating activity. There have been several clinical trials in a variety of different diseases. Astragalus is the least-studied agent. There are some preclinical trials that show intriguing immune activity. The herbs discussed appear to have satisfactory safety profiles. Cancer patients may wish to use these botanicals to inhibit tumor growth or to boost resistance to infections. However, passive immunotherapy with herbs, with no mechanism to expose tumor antigens, is unlikely to be effective in inhibiting tumor growth. Although the margin of safety for these herbs is large, more research is needed to demonstrate the clear value of using herbs to improve resistance to infections.

Key Words: ginseng • echinacea • astragalus • immune system • cancer • upper respiratory infections

Integrative Cancer Therapies, Vol. 2, No. 3, 247-267 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/1534735403256419


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Nishida and H. Satoh Vascular Pharmacology of Mokuboito (Mu-Fang-Yi-Tang) and Its Constituents on the Smooth Muscle and the Endothelium in Rat Aorta Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med., September 1, 2007; 4(3): 335 - 341. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. S. Haddad, G. A. Azar, S. Groom, and M. Boivin Natural Health Products, Modulation of Immune Function and Prevention of Chronic Diseases Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med., December 1, 2005; 2(4): 513 - 520. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]