Echinacea, Propolis and Vitamin C for URI Prevention in Preschoolers

the Effectiveness of Echinacea, Propolis and Vitamin C in the Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections and Gastroenteritis in Preschool Age Children: a Prospective Study

We hypothesize the herbal preparation will enhance the preschoolers' immune response and when taken prophylactically for 12 weeks will decrease episodes of upper respiratory infections and gastroenteritis in the active versus the control group.

This combination of herbs has been studied only once before in preschoolers. In a study of 430 preschoolers reported in Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in March of 2004, a similar preparation with a slightly lower dose of Vitamin C decreased upper respiratory infections by 55% (308 to 138). We are repeating this study to see if our results confirm or contradict those of the previous study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 3-6

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cystic fibrosis
• Immunodeficiency
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• Anatomic abnormalities of respiratory tract
• Intestinal malabsorption
• Allergy to sunflower seeds