ECHINACEA SUPPLEMENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

• Main Authors: CHANG, CHUCK, C, GAHLER, ROLAND, J, SLAMA, JAN, V, BARTON, RICHARD, E
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 10.07.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BYSUBCLASSES A23B - A23J; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, OR TOILET PURPOSES; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL; SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS ORMEDICINAL PREPARATIONS; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OFNUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; THEIR TREATMENT, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES

In one aspect, the present invention provides Echinacea compositions including standardized amounts of at least two Echinacea components. More preferably the Echinacea compositions of the present invention include standardized amounts of at least three Echinacea components. Presently preferred Echinacea components are cichoric acid, Echinacea alkylamides and Echinacea polysaccharides. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for preparing Echinacea compositions, the methods including the step of combining amounts of at least two Echinacea components, preferably three Echinacea components, sufficient to yield an Echinacea composition including standardized amounts of each of the combined Echinacea components. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides Echinacea extracts, and methods for preparing Echinacea extracts. Presently preferred Echinacea extracts are enriched in one or more members of the group consisting of polysaccharides, alkylamides and cichoric acid. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides methods for enhancing immune system activity in a mammal.