ECHINACEA

[Reethebeat]

Any views on taking echinacea. Had a bad cold and been taking this herb in capsule form for 3 days. It has stopped most of the cold symptoms, so I was impressed. Now I read that it is contra indicative for auto immune illnesses. Any views on this please. Thanks for any advice.

[HeronNS]

I too was told that it shouldn't be taken because it counteracts the effects of the immune suppressant (pred) we are taking. On the other hand my personal feeling is if you are sick and trying to get well the fact you are sick shows your immune system is plenty weakened and a short term dose of something like echinacea can't help, although whether it will help under the circumstances is possibly moot.

[Reethebeat in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks Heron for that. Just goes to show I should have read the instructions first in the packet. (doh).

[HeronNS in reply to Reethebeat]

I had a cold, started last Friday late in day, felt wretched Saturday, better Sunday, nearly normal (as normal as I get) Monday, and I never took anything, just rested a lot. So a three day cold without echinacea and not even massive doses of Vitamin C.

[piglette]

I should ask your pharmacist or doctor if taking supplements. Echanacea boosts your immune system and as we are taking pred to suppress our immune systems it is rather counterproductive to take it with pred. Cat’s claw is another supplement that is supposed to be a no no with pred.

[Brown-eyes in reply to piglette]

Hi there, just wondering if you mean Devils claw (Harpagophytum) because I'm taking it while still on Pred?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is listed as not to be taken with pred. I suppose it all depends which aspect of the immune system it is is supposed to work on. Does it "support" it or does it "stimulate" it? And are we taking pred for its immunosuppressant effect - or the antiinflammatory effect?

I take nothing - though this week a nip of whisky did feel appealing!

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

Cognac for me!

[HeronNS in reply to piglette]

Sherry.

[piglette in reply to HeronNS]

Yuck!

[HeronNS in reply to piglette]

Sherry was how my European father introduced me to alcohol when I was much too young to be drinking in an anglo country. I think it evokes a sense of security. I drink very little. Sometimes my son opens a large bottle of beer, he splits it with his father and I get a small wine cupful of beer to share, and I like that too.

[piglette in reply to HeronNS]

I was introduced to alcohol when my parents had parties and I would wander downstairs because of the noise and get fed gin and orange by their drunken friends (mainly doctors!!) I cannot face gin since.

[HeronNS in reply to piglette]

There was always a new years eve party at one of my parents' friends house (also mostly doctors!) and as they had a daughter about my age I usually went to spend the night. We used to sneak down and help ourselves, and I developed a taste for rum and ginger ale. But I honestly can't remember the last time I had hard liquor. My father tried to train me to drink martinis when I went to uni. He had a quaint idea that if I could handle two of his martinis I could drink any boy under the table. Unfortunately for his plan I couldn't stand the taste. I came with an inbuilt monitor. I would actually go to a party telling myself I would get drunk just to see what it was like, and after two drinks the internal policeman said, no more. When first married my husband and I threw a party, and I disliked what hard liquor did to my friends so much, behaviourwise, that ever after that it was wine and cheese only. 🥂🍻

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

That belongs in brandy butter. On top of a mincepie...