On Sat, Feb 23, 2008 at 2:34 PM, faith gagne <jitte...@gis.net> wrote:
> Hi Kristeen. Who warned you? what happens to you if you take > something? I forget what echinacea does. Faith G. > I have M.E. and to be honest the jury is still out on whether that is an auto immune disease or not. I was warned by several people I know, who also have M.E. that they reacted badly to echinacea with a dramatic rise in their symptoms. I'd mentioned that I used to take it along with massive doses of Vit C at the onset of a cold (that was pre CS days) I couldn't swear to it offhand but I believe the problems were highlighted by Dr Sarah Myhill. She's the UK expert on M.E. and has been so helpful to sufferers recommending alternative supplements, diets etc over drugs that the General Medical Council are trying to get her struck off. I've never tried echinacea (it's a herb that boosts the immune system) since I developed M.E. so I've no firsthand knowledge. I reckon why risk it when CS works so effectively with no side effects. I do have a friend with lupus and one with R.A. who both report a complete flare up in symptoms if the take echinacea. they've both been told by doctors that their immune systems are already in overdrive so anything that strengthens them will only make them worse. I don't know exactly how CS works but it certainly doesn't have any adverse effects on me for which I'm extremely grateful. Kirsteen
