[New knowledge regarding the effect and effectiveness of Echinacea purpurea extracts]

Preparations made from the pressed juice of the flowering aerial parts of the Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench represent the most commonly used herbal immunnomodulatory agents. They are frequently administered for the supportive treatment of common viral infections of the upper respiratory tract. New clinical studies are reviewed, which demonstrated that corresponding preparations can diminish the severity and the length of common colds significantly, and that they can also be used efficiently for the treatment of children. New investigations have also shown, that stimulation of makrophages and induction of cytokins are major parts of the mode of action, and that glycoproteins/polysaccharides and alkamides are part of the activity relevant constituents.