Well this is funny because I actually took echinacea tinctures back in the day when i was trying to find things to help with the RA. And I couldn't understand that I felt that I had more pain and things weren't improving. And I found out later that echinacea is not good to take for autoimmune diseases. I think it is because it is too stimulating or something to that effect. i stopped taking it and have avoided it ever since. I know it is fantastic for other ailments though.

Hi There-

I have been told by docs not to take echinacea or any other immune stimulating/strengthening herbs as RA is an immune system on steroids!! so why amp up an already racing immune system. I have been told to take eat spices like tumeric, cucumin, and garlic to reduce inflammation. I think it makes really good sense to stay away from herbs which are known to strengthen or stimulate the immune system. Oh boy, we already have enough of that! Hope this helps. And by the way, when I lightly steam broccoli, or cauliflower, I place the veggies in a bowl with a little water and tumeric or cumin and swish the veggies around a little. The result is an amazingly great tasting food with a beautiful yellow, gold color from the spices. And please know...there is virtually no RA in India where the spices originate. These spices are well known and well researched for their powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Here's to feeling better!

Hey, when I first researched Methotrexate before starting it, one of the drug interactions is Echinacea but it didn't say what the interaction would cause!

Hi Angelpuss,
You bring up a great topic! Sorry to hear you were taking Echinacea and didn't realize it was only causing more problems than helping.

I take a ton of supplements and Echinacea is not one of them. I've heard that taking echinacea on a regular basis doesn't do much. And I too, have read that Echinacea is not good for autoimmune diseases.

There are quite a few supplements that have surprised me....
Melatonin can be bad for autoimmune diseases, or bring out autoimmune diseases. Melatonin is actually banned in other countries and the dose in stores are generally way higher than you could get it naturally... Bananas have melatonin if you want a natural source. Even though I know this information, I still take a supplement that has a very small amount of melatonin in it. If I could take the supplement without the melatonin, I probably would but its pros outweigh the cons (for my situation). I consider supplements an added expense so I have to really see that there's a big benefit before I add one more.

Folic acid has been shown to increase cancer in some studies, but those studies were of women who took 800mg a day. Folic acid is good for you if you take the right amount or get it from a food source such as spinach.

Hyaluronic acid, though it will make your skin look younger and will lubricate your joints, has been speculated to increase your risks of breast cancer.

My general rule of thumb with supplements is to look up each one. Inflammation is a complicated thing and different supplements and/or drugs and/or food, work with and against different types of inflammation. I

I try and find supplements that have the least amounts of risks in combination with the most benefits for my RA specifically. The second thing I look at is how much does it help me in other areas of my life? Gingko biloba for instance, is a strong Anti-inflammatory and blood thinner and helps improve your circulation. Because of this improved circulation, especially for the brain, it helps you think more clearly. So I consider this supplement worth the risk of thinning your blood too much when can happen if you take a ton of NSAIDs, RA drugs or supplements. The reason why this doesn't happen too often however, is because people with RA actually have thicker blood that clots more easily which is why extra blood thinners can be good for us. This is one of those situations where you have to watch your body. Easy bruising for instance, can be a sign that you're taking too many blood thinners.

While Echinacea stimulates the immune system, there are many other supplements that modulate the immune system or that can lower certain things like fibrin or tnf protein which are causing the inflammation in the first place.

Sorry I rambled on there...
hugs,
Sarah

Hi Sarah,

Interesting that you said 'people with RA have thicker blood that clots more easily'. This has been a health issue for me in the past before I had RA & I am interested to know more.

Can you direct me to the source of your info or explain it some more.

Thanks, Anna

Good to bring up the echinacea issue. I understand there are liver issues involved and certainly it can negatively interact with other medications and herbs. Some non RA people over dose on it - really most helpful for short term support for a number of conditions - not to be swallowed like a daily vitamin pill. Other issue with herbs is strength and source. My info comes from naturopathic training in the eighties but think no naturopath should be putting anyone on long term echinacea let alone us poor RA sufferers!

Anna,

Fibrin contributes to RA. Fibrin also helps clot blood. It is the source of fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, etc. Just look up Fibrin and as a result, you will learn a lot about RA and how Fibrin plays a role. If you have any more questions, please let me know! "Recent research has shown that fibrin plays a key role in the inflammatory response and development of rheumatoid arthritis."-wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibrin

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-11/cchm-bcp111607.php
Reduce fibrin and your inflammation will also reduce....
hugs,
Sarah

Echinacea is a wonderful herb that stimulates and strengthens your immune system, which is why it's great to take when you are coming down with flu or colds. It does work and is very effective. If you have anyone in your life who does NOT have an auto-immune disease I highly recommend it for them but not for us.

However as pajamagirl stated, the one thing we do not want to do is strengthen our immune systems, they are already too strong and misguided. I take a shot every week to suppress my AI system, it would be foolish for me to bolster my immune system with herbs at the same time I am trying to suppress it.

Thanks, everyone for all your replies. So much to learn about RA for me. It's so good to know that my questions are always answered here by people who can relate.

Learn something new continually!! Wow I had no idea.
A sweet friend gave me some Echinacea just today! Glad I have
not taken any yet!! Thanks for all the info!!

I just posted a PSA about this. Echinacea is an immune system booster. I have some echinacea tea that is specifically contraindicated for people with RA or who are immunosuppressants or DMARDS (which most of us are). It counteracts the medications and nullifies some of the effects. After drinking three cups, I've been in massive pain for several days, so I'm hanging on and waiting for the meds to re-establish.

Interesting. Thanks for the info renplus and hope you are feeling better soon!

Thanks for bringing this up again, phandbj. I used to drink Echinacea tea for colds and things (or preventative) till I read it doesn't really work. Good thing I quit if it's gonna screw with my RA!

I'm glad this thread was resurrected. I will now cease and desist with the echinachea.

Thankyou everyone for helping to disseminate useful information.

V x x

boy good to know. I'm fighting with very low iron. plus have a inherited blood disorder that show anemia. My NP put me on some blood builders and one of them do have echinacea. echin is supposed to be good for people with this disorder, plus folic acid and B12 is a must.

so i'm kinda in a pickle, treating RA, and anemia. wow. what to do.
Friday I go in for an iron infusion. hopefully that will solve my problems

thanks for posting