The Banning of Echinacea for Children: An Hysterical Reaction?

The MHRA in the UK and the IMB in Ireland have both issued a press release banning the use of Echinacea products in children under 12. They cite 'evidence' from a number of sources which yours truly received yesterday. I am going through this information and will respond shortly.

The information and research is not new - overwhelming evidence does not seem to be present; in fact it is the absence of evidence upon which the decision rests with no recourse to the centuries of use this plant has enjoyed, and little if no consultation with professional herbalists.

You can read the statements, both issued within 30 minutes of each other, here:

• http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON180627

• http://www.imb.ie/EN/News/Irish-Medicines-Board-Advises-Against-Use-of-Echinacea-in-Children-Under-12-Years.aspx

Parents can of course decide not to heed this information which is of course 'precautionary'.

Others may wish to write to newspapers and politicians and can do so here:

 

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/find-your-local-mla

http://www.writetothem.com/

http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=30&disp=const

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/search.html;jsessionid=981696B540CC92845ED2B9F0C8A4470D.node2

I have not seen any side effects with Echinacea in my practice. I do advise caution to anyone who has allergies, atopic conditions or hypersensitivity to the Asteraceae family (of which this plant is a member) as they may be at risk of reaction. Anyone suffering from an auto-immune condition should consult a herbalist or healthcare professional before using Echinacea. And this applies to anyone, not just under 12s. In my opinion Echinacea is a safe herb!

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