How do you take echinacea?

[Lottapianos]

I'm aware of three ways of taking it:

-every day no matter whether you are well or ill

• only when you feel the first sign of a cold, and then for several days after
• every day for 2-3 months, then have 2-3 months off,then repeat

How are you supposed to take it? I'm looking for a good immunity boost after two horrible colds in a row. Ta

Word of warning- my friend took it constantly and it messed her immune system up big time and she is still suffering from the effects. Check it out properly, she thought it would be fine but obviously not.

Oh yikes, thanks for the warning. I'm currently taking it only when ill but to be honest, I'm really confused by conflicting advice

She thought taking it all the time would be a good idea , but IIRC the advice is 10 days max. However DO NOT TAKE THAT ADVICE AS GOSPEL. Please read up on it, speak to your gp etc.

How did it mess up her immune system?

I only take it when a cold is coming for around a week.

As kids we used to take it in the 8 weeks on, 8 weeks off cycle.

PaperFlowers4 I'm not sure, but she was told that she shouldn't have taken it for as long as she did.

I take Echinaforce tablets at the first hint of a cold, and stop when the symptoms do. It works for me. I gave my tablets to someone on holiday who was well into a cold and it seemed to hasten her recovery so that's how I'd take it.

I think you are only supposed to take it for 10-14 days max from time to time. Definitely not every day. Don’t know why though.

For an immunity boost I’d look at vitamin D, probiotics, healthy diet etc.

I think echinacea doesn’t have loads of scientific research behind it. A few studies say it may shorten the duration of a cold if you take it at the first signs.

I take it 8 weeks on, 8 weeks off! I use the drops in a glass of berocca