Question

Echinacea is a native N. American plant whose extracts are used as a dietary supplement for the common cold and other infections, based on the idea that it might stimulate the immune system to fight infection more effectively. Design a controlled experiment to determine if consuming echinacea extract is effective at preventing or reducing the severity of the common cold. Make sure you clearly state your observation, your hypothesis, your prediction, and experimental design.

Answer 1

Echinacea is a herbal plant , it's extract seem to have an effect in the immune system. It increases the count of white blood cells which fight infections. It is effective remedy for more than 200 types of viruses that causes common cold. It can prevent the fungal infections also. Echinacea can reduce the duration of common cold.. It is an immunomodulatory herb . It contributes Alkamides to immune system modifications. The Alkanoids can bind CB2 receptors in the body which controll many important immune functions.

Alkamides can stimulate macrophages which can destroy harmful pathogens. It can activate natural killer cells to fight infections. In fact Echinacea is a anti inflammatory immune boosting herb.which is a traditional herbal medicine used from long ago.