Question:
From Wilmington, Delaware, USA:
The recent edition of Consumer Reports notes, in describing various over the counter cold and flu remedies, that taking echinacea could "theoretically" be problematic for type 1 diabetics because of its effect on the immune system. Do you know what the "theoretical" problem is they refer to?
Answer:
Some Centers have suggested that people with diabetes not use Echinacea. In fact, there is no published evidence that the herb has any effect on any form of diabetes although there is some evidence that it can modify phagocytosis and cause anaphylactic reactions. These are different components of the immune response to the ones involved in Type 1A diabetes. If you have access to a medical library you might like to look at a paper in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol 1, page 145, 1995 for some studies in this area.
DOB
Original posting 20 Jan 1999
Posted to Other Medications
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