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Commission E Monographs
Commission E is a German expert committee established in 1978 to evaluate the safety and efficacy of phytomedicines. The group compiles research and clinical data, which now is considered the most accurate information available on herbs and phytomedicines.
Of the four echinacea monographs, two are positive (E. pallida root and E. purpurea leaf) and two are negative (E. purpurea root and E. angustifolia root). Experimental and clinical studies are available on E. purpurea herb and roots, E. pallida roots and E. angustifolia roots. The Commission decided that only the results from the research conducted on the water-alcohol extract of E. pallida roots and fresh plant juice from the flowering herb of E. purpurea are adequate for a positive monograph.
E. Pallida root
Name of Drug: Echinaceae pallidae radix, echinacea pallida root
Composition of Drug: Fresh or dried E. pallida root and its preparations in effective dosage.
Pharmacological Properties, Pharmacokinetics, Toxicology: Animal experiment: In a carbon-clearance test, alcohol root extracts show an increase in the elimination of carbon particles by a factor of 2.2. In vitro: Alcohol root extracts show an increase in phagocytic elements by 23% when tested in granulocyte smears at a concentration of 10-4 to 10-2 mg/mL.
Uses: Supportive therapy for influenzalike infections.
Contraindications: Not to be used when progressive systemic diseases such as the following exist: tuberculosis, leukosis, collagenosis, multiple sclerosis, HIV infection, AIDS and other autoimmune diseases.
Side Effects: None known.
Precautions: None.
Effects on Pregnancy & Lactation: None.
Interactions with Other Drugs: None known.
Dosage: (Unless otherwise indicated) Daily dosage: Tincture (5:1) with 50% (v/v) ethanol from native dry extract (50% ethanol, 7 - 11:1), corresponding to 900 mg herb. Information for children's dosage is not available.
Mode of Administration: Liquid forms for oral administration.
Duration of Administration: Not longer than eight weeks.
Overdose: None known.
Special Precautions: None known.
Effects on Operators of Vehicles and Machinery: None known.
E. Purpurea herb
Name of Drug: E. purpurea herb, purple coneflower herb
Composition of Drug: Purple coneflower herb consists of fresh, above-ground parts, harvested at flowering time, of E. purpurea, as well as its preparations in effective dosage.
Use: Internal—Supportive therapy for colds and chronic infections of the respiratory tract and lower urinary tract. External—Poorly healing wounds and chronic ulcerations.
Contraindications: External—None known. Internal—Progressive systemic diseases such as tuberculosis, leucosis, collagenosis, multiple sclerosis. No parenteral [intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular or mucosal] administration in case of tendencies to allergies, especially to members of the composite family (Asteraceae), as well as in pregnancy.
Warning: The metabolic condition in diabetics can decline upon parenteral application.
Side Effects: Internal and external application—None known. Parenteral application—Depending on dosage, short-term fever reactions, nausea and vomiting can occur. In individual cases, allergic reactions of the immediate type are possible.
Interactions with Other Drugs: None known.
Dosage: (Unless otherwise indicated) Internal—Daily dosage: 6 -9 mL expressed juice; equivalent preparations. Parenteral—Depends on individual kind and seriousness of condition as well as specific nature of the preparation. Parenteral application requires a gradation of dosage, especially for children; the manufacturer is required to show this information for the particular preparation. External—Semisolid preparations containing at least 15% pressed juice.
Mode of Administration: Pressed juice and galenical preparations for internal and external use.
Duration of Administration: Preparations for parenteral use: Not longer than three weeks.
Preparations for Internal and External Use: Not longer than eight weeks.
Actions: In humans and/or animal experiments, echinacea preparations given internally or parenterally have produced immune effects. Among others, the number of white blood cells and spleen cells is increased, the capacity for phagocytosis by human granulocytes is activated, and the body temperature is elevated.
Reprinted with permission from The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines, a 700-page guide featuring 380 monographs. The guide is published by the American Botanical Council, Austin, Texas, 1998.
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