New Novel Uses For Isobutylamide-Rich Preparations of Echinacea
Two significant novel discoveries have been made through our federally-sponsored Echinacea research. First, we have characterized that the class of compounds in Echinacea known as alkamides specifically isobutyl amides are not immuno-stimulatory but are immno-inhibitory and anti-inflammatory. This discovery may further and more effectively explain why Echinacea is effective during the onset stage of rhinovirus (cold and flu virus) infections. High concentrations of this class of compounds are now being studied through pharmacokinetic, in-vitro, and in-vivo studies to determine more specifically the mechanism through which isobutylamide-rich Echinacea preparations are effective.

Novel Natural Hybridization of Echinacea Species Underway at Gaia Herb Farm
Second, our novel research on natural hybridization of Echinacea enabled us to develop a new cultivar containing much higher isobutylamides and, also, one that grows more robustly than Echinacea angustifolia. These two discoveries are interrelated and will likely lead to further product development in the very near future. The pictures above and below represent the effects of natural hybridization with Echinacea angustifolia on the left, the hybrids in the middle and Echinacea purpurea on the right. The hybrid has more bio-mass as well as more alkamides present in the root.

Peer Reviewed Published Articles on Gaia Herbs Echinacea Research
NIH - NCCAM Funded Echinacea Research Published Articles







• Chromosome Karyotypes of Echinacea angustifolia var. angustifolia and E.purpurea
Hort Science VOL. 39(2)April 2004, 368-370, 2004
Authors Luping Qu, Xiping Wang, Eatherley Hood, Meihua Wang, and Richard Scalzo
• Commercial Seed Lots Exhibit Reduced Seed Dormancy in Comparison to Wild Seed Lots of Echinacea purpurea
Hort Science VOL. 40(6) October 2005
Authors Luping Qu, Xiping Wang, Ying Chen, and Richard Scalzo
• Ethephon Promotes Germination of Echinacea angustifolia and E. pallida in Darkness
Hort Science VOL 39(5) August 2004, 1101-1103
Authors Luping Qu, Xiping Wang, Jinghua Yang, Eatherley Hood, and Richard Scalzo
• Patterns of Variation in Alkamides and Cichoric Acid in Roots and Aboveground Parts of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench
HortScience VOL 40(4) August 2005
Authors Luping Qu, Ying Chen, Xiping Wang, and Richard Scalzo
• Macrophage Activating Effects of New Alkamides from the Roots of Echinacea species
Journal of Natural Products 2005, 68, 773-776
Authors Ying Chen, Tong Fu, Tao Tao, Jinghua Yang, Yung Chang, Meihua Wang, Linda Kim, Luping Qu, John Cassady, Richard Scalzo, and Xiping Wang

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