Dr. Michael Murray The IMMUNE FA CTOR - Natural MediFAQS

T H E I M M U N E F A C T O R
to contain all of the active compounds necessary for the
complete, synergistic action of echinacea.
Some manufacturers may not even be using
authentic sources of echinacea. For example, it has
been estimated that, due to supplier errors in collection,
more than 50 percent and possibly much as 90 percent
of the echinacea sold in the US from 1908 through
1991 was actually another plant! Parthenium
integrifolium. Like echinacea, Parthenium integrifolium
has been referred to by the common name “Missouri
snakeroot”. In spite of possible confusion over the
common names, these plants look quite different. Even
though the root of Parthenium integrifolium when it is
cut and sifted looks a lot like echinacea roots, it
possesses a much different aroma. Of course, if
manufacturers would bother to do even very simple
chemical analyses, there would be no mistaking the two
plants. Unfortunately, many manufacturers do not do
any of their own quality control analysis.
Echinacea products are available in many different
forms: ground or powdered crude herb, freeze-dried,
alcohol-based tinctures and liquid extracts, aqueous
tinctures and liquid extracts, and dry powdered
alcoholic or aqueous extracts.
Are these forms effective? Remember what was
stated above, “What determines the effectiveness of any
herbal product is its ability to deliver an effective
dosage of active compounds.” If a manufacturer does
not analyze for all of the key active compounds in their
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