Echinacea is a commonly used herb for improving immune function and managing symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Echinacea is a genus in the daisy family, and most commonly refers to two species: purpurea and angustifolia. Each species of echinacea offers unique health benefits yet both are beneficial for optimizing and balancing immune function.

For example, a 2007 meta-analysis examined echinacea’s ability to prevent the common cold in over 1,300 individuals. Almost all of the 14 trials included used either echinacea purpurea as a stand alone or a combination of both purpurea and angustifolia. On average, it was found that these preparations led to a 58% decreased likelihood of developing the common cold and 1.4 days decreased duration of symptoms.

One randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial compared Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia and placebo interventions for URTI’s in 302 healthy adults. These individuals were given extracts of either species or placebo for 5 days per week over the course of 12 weeks. At the end of the trial, 37% of the placebo group experienced an URTI, while only 32% of the angustifolia group and 29% of the purpurea group developed symptoms. Additionally, both echinacea groups increased the average number of days until first symptoms. The placebo group experienced initial symptoms after 65 days, compared to 66 days for the angustifolia group and 69 days for the purpurea group. These results suggest that both species provide immune benefits.

There are a variety of constituents that are considered to be active, including alkylamides, polysaccharides and phenols. Depending on the species, there are different amounts and types of each component. For example, Echinacea angustifolia contains echinacosides, an antimicrobial phenolic component not found in purpurea species. Additionally, although both species have multiple alkylamides, a broader variety of alkylamides are found in Echinacea angustifolia when compared to Echinacea purpurea. Combining the two echinacea species offers a more comprehensive and perhaps synergistic blend of active ingredients. That being said, Echinacea purpurea has more human clinical trials and research support. Case in point, it has been shown to increase natural-killer cells, leukocytes, neutrophils and monocytes, while also stimulating the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Additionally, Echinacea purpurea has demonstrated activity against both Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as well as viruses such as influenza and herpes. Finally, Echinacea purpurea supplementation for 4 weeks has shown a decrease in both salivary IgA levels and sickness duration.

Cyto-Matrix’s Echinacea combines both potent immunomodulatory species of echinacea in order to effectively prevent and treat URTIs, various infections and improve the overall health of the body’s immune response.  Each vegetable capsule of Echinacea Matrix contains 100 mg (6:1 extract; Dried Herb Equivalent [DHE] 600mg) of Echinacea angustifolia root extract and 300 mg (6:1 extract; DHE 1800mg) of Echinacea purpurea extract, standardized to 4% echinacoside and 4% phenol content, respectively. These active ingredients are confirmed as per high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the most accurate and reliable testing available for herbal extracts. Each bottle of Echinacea Matrix contains 90 vegetable capsules.

Echinacea is a part of the Cyto-Matrix Herbal Matrix Series,containing sustainably sourced, traceable and GMO free herbs with potent therapeutic properties. Each herb is extracted and tested to ensure the standardization of active ingredients, ultimately leading to efficacious, predictable and reliable products. The Cyto-Matrix Herbal Matrix Series of herbal extracts is beneficial for both the health of individuals, and also the health of our planet and future generations.