Is drinking echinacea tea when you're NOT sick bad for you?
I'm not sick, and I know echinacea tea is generally for colds/flu, but I usually drink a glass a day. Could this be bad?
Posted by El Americano
Echinacea as a whole is an immune stimulant. Drinking it casually and often is not a good idea, since you're basically telling your immune system to go full blast all the time. It could lead to immune system failure when you need it most.
Take Echinacea on occasions when you feel you're getting sick or you have been around a lot of sick people.
Posted by Influenza Monitor
Here is a Q&A item on Dr Andrew Weil's website that is very similar to your question
"Q Echinacea: An Immune System Threat?
My doctor told me that long-term use of echinacea over-stimulates the immune system. What is your opinion? What does it mean to over-stimulate the immune system?
A Answer (Published 9/2/2003)"
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA293438
If your taking Echinacea for treatment of colds and flu versus immune enhancing effects, recommended dosages would be lower.
However, opinions differ on the long-term use of Echinacea, and apparently there are no studies on long-term usage. As you make your decision, you should also review
WebMd: Echinacea
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-981-ECHINACEA.aspx?activeIngredientId=981&activeIngredientName=ECHINACEA
University of Maryland Med Center: Echinacea
http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:LReL8lZn1zEJ:www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/echinacea-000239.htm+echinacea+recommended+dosage&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Be safe
Posted by sunshinecoastbc
Hmm... Drinking during cold and flu season I would say is okay - because you want the boost - but again I don't think I would drink it every day unless you feel a cold coming on. Perhaps consult your doctor or herbalist (even ask at the pharmacy)
But if you really think about it, people take echinacea capsules (sold in the millions) during flu season every year - one - three a day is what is recommended on the bottle. ( You don't find a warning to take this only for a limited period of time)
So reason tells me it is okay to drink a cup a day if you like - still I would ask at the health food or pharmacy just to be sure.
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