Echinacea

[Ladypaula]

Does anyone know if its safe to take Echinacea tablets when taking Rivoraxaban .I've had cold after cold and a very annoying cough on and off for a few weeks now and thought this might boost my immunity. TIA

[BobD Volunteer]

You and half Britain I fear. Best check with your pharmacist on that one. I do know yu shouldn't take it for longer than a few days regardless. I took it for three days when I first felt the bug hit but it didn't help,.

[CDreamer]

I’m not a fan of Echinacea, used to be but studies show it has little or no affect in trials and there are contraindications for some people, I am one. Personally I think you would be better off improving your gut microbiome with your diet - see latest studies showing this improves immune response better than any supplements - and taking VitD3 (with K2).

[mary70]

Forgive me, but one of my sons has constant problems with a cold and cough.

Advice: given by Mayo Clinic

Why do I have cold and cough all the time?

While it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the problem that's triggering a chronic cough, the most common causes are tobacco use, postnasal drip, asthma and acid reflux. Fortunately, chronic cough typically disappears once the underlying problem is treated.9 Jul 2019

mayoclinic.org › syc-2...

Chronic cough - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

[hausjac]

I've always taken it in the tincture form 3/day with about 1g of vitamin C at the same time. Sometimes it stops my cold in its tracks or if not it shortens the span of the cold. I take Apixaban.

[Vonnegut]

I think it’s a bit late for Echinacea if you have the recurring cold as I seem to have! Every time I think it’s gone, it returns!! You are not alone!

[ozziebob]

Yes, best seek medical advice from a professional.

In the meantime, here's the excellent information on interactions available on the excellent site drugs.com ...

drugs.com/drug-interactions...

Hope it helps.

[jimlad2]

Best protection I've ever had against colds is vitamin D3. I take 3000 ius a day and since I started taking it I've very rarely had a cold, and on the rare occasion I feel one starting to get a grip I take hay fever tablets (ceterizine hydrochloride). 1 per day for 2 or 3 days and that helps ensure it disappears. Might not work for others of course.

[Ladypaula in reply to jimlad2]

Thankyou jimlad2 .I already take vitamin D3 tablets but never thought to try the hay-fever tablets ,it might just help with the wheeziness.

[Auriculaire in reply to Ladypaula]

Taking vit D tablets without knowing your blood levels is a hit and miss affair. You should get your level tested to see if your dosage of vit D is adequate - the NHS recommended dose certainly isn't for most people . N acetyl cysteine is very helpful for coughs and if taken regularly supports the immune system . However it does have "blood thinning " properties so some people would be wary of taking it with an anticogulant. I take it regularly. In Dec I got the cough and cold from hell - my first since March 2016- and I was over it in a fortnight. My vitD level is high . Any infection will drop vit D levels as the body uses more in combatting it. If your vit D level is inadequate to start off with this will lead to a downhill spiral where it becomes harder to shake off an infection and more susceptible to picking up another bug.It is also well documented by various studies now that successive covid boosters lower the immune response and make you more susceptible to getting not just another bout of covid but other respiratory infections as well.

[Ladypaula in reply to Auriculaire]

Thankyou for your reply .My Gp advised me to take Vit D as my levels were slightly below what they should have been .The Echinacea also says can affect levels when taking anticoagulant .I've got my annual bloods on Monday so will mention it to the practice nurse .

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Ladypaula]

Hi

Too many colds is just not on. I had flu last year but never had. flu or cold since January 2021. I was tested for COVID which was negative. I refuse the flu injection but have had 6 jabs to date. September I thought that I was doing well, but sample showed pneumonia and a fungus species. Dr gave me Amozil for 5 days.

A young boy had flu, ended up with swelling around his brain and still can't walk or talk.

Oh dear so frightful for his parents.

Always have a regular blood Test list which includes B12 and some heart indicators if you have AF.

We run the risk of inflammation around the heart.

Have you had all your offered COVID jabs?

cheri JOY.

[Ladypaula in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Yes have had all my covid jabs and flu one too .I caught covid before the jabs were available and was quite ill and off work for 6 weeks and not fully fit until 6 months after .My bloods are done annually and are being taken tommorow. So will have some results soon .

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Ladypaula]

Hi

With so many colds I should talk to your Dr to have them more regularly. I have full every 3 months. B12 yearly but TSH when I wish to.

Its important to find out why your immunity can't keep out the colds.

I still wear a mask(2) in crowds.

If I get symptoms I drink a carton of McCoys Dark Grape everyday until symptoms leave. Equals lots of Vit C.

Do you work with children, preschool, teacherSchool , Secretary.

I caught the last flu from a relieving Teacher Aid. Now she has got Permanent job at the school.

cheri JOY

[Ladypaula in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

I don't know if it's a coincidence but have been taking the echinecia a few days now and the cough is much better .I don't work I'm retired but have 3 grandchildren so pick up things from them xx

[Auriculaire in reply to Ladypaula]

If your levels were below what is considered adequate in the uk then they were very low as the UK has the lowest level for adequate in Europe. They should be a minimum of 30ng/ml (75 nmol/ l in uk measurements) . Anything below this is not adequate . How much vit D do you take a day?.

[Ladypaula in reply to Auriculaire]

I take 1000ius a day .I'll ask the Gp to check my levels when get my bloods done tommorow.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

I would recommend you get your B12 checked.

Older folks need between 700-800 Level. I take SOLGAR gold top, under tongue. 1,000ug sublingual nugget. 1 a day until Level obtained then keep at that level.

Your Dr will work with you. With 1 a day for 6 weeks my Level went from 150 - 900 and then we watched it go down. It proved I was deficient in B12 and SOLGAR at this measured way worked. **Sublingual nugget dissolving goes straight into the blood stream. And excess will safely eliminated.

Cheers Joy. 75. (NZ)

[Ladypaula in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

That is a very good point re B12, and as I am one of the older folks (67 ), it could be the case my levels are low .Thankyou .