Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Echinacea

DMatt

Recommended Posts

DMatt Newbie
DMatt
Posted

When ordering vitamins/supplements I always check to make sure they are marked gluten free. When reading the label on the echinacea bottle it is noted that those with auto immune conditions should not take echinacea. I never noticed this precaution before. Does anyone have additional information? Can celiacs ingest echinacea? Thanks.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

Thats interesting--I've never noticed that warning before. I have taken echinacia before, but it was several years ago--I didn't know I had celiac disease, so I didn't read labels with the same scrutiny that I do now. I never thought that it helped me with colds, etc. so I stopped using it.

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

Echinacea activates your immune system, gives it a boost, so if you have an autoimmune disease, that would mean it also activates your disease. ie. if you have Hashi's thyroid (where your body attacks your thyroid) taking Echinacea could theoretically increase damage potential... Celiac is unique in the the sense that if we are gluten-free and our body is no longer attacking our intestines, then our autoimmune disease is dormant, so to speak, so taking Echinacea should be technically be okay. I waited until recently to begin taking Echinacea again, and I only do so for a short period of time when I am getting sick and my body needs some help. Taking Echinacea long term or too frequently is not good for anyone. If you have been gluten-free for a while, and decide to take Echinacea, make sure you verify that the supplement is gluten-free. Hope that helps !

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

Thanks Jen--I get it now! :)

Guest Viola
Guest Viola
Posted

I was told by my doctor (he has a Celiac son) that Celiac's should not be taking Echinacea. Even if we are feeling healthy and accidently get into gluten contamination, it makes it much worse.

DMatt Newbie
DMatt
Posted
  • Author

Thank you very much. What seemed complicated is now understandable. I think we will just stay away from the echinacea. Thanks again.

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

Shirley...That is a good point. There is an amount of risk in choosing to take it either way. I felt like it was worth taking last week...it is such an amazing supplement! I wonder about other "immune boosters" like goldenseal etc. too...

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Guest Viola
Guest Viola
Posted

My doctor told me to be very careful with all the herbal stuff as one ... they are not tested on people with auto immune diseases and two ... their contents are not government regulated ... by that I mean they can put as much, or as little of the active ingredient as they want and use what ever they want for fillers.

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

yeah, that's true. herbs can be "subjective." i stick with two brands mostly...one that my husband's mom has worked with for years. we trust the purity of their products.

nikki-uk Enthusiast
nikki-uk
Posted
When ordering vitamins/supplements I always check to make sure they are marked gluten free. When reading the label on the echinacea bottle it is noted that those with auto immune conditions should not take echinacea. I never noticed this precaution before. Does anyone have additional information? Can celiacs ingest echinacea? Thanks.

I think the theory behind this is(bare with me) is echinacea boosts your immune system.

If you suffer from an autoimmune disease(such as celiac disease)your immune system is really super sensitive and working too hard already.Your immune system is so good,that it's turned in on itself(think of rheumatiod arthritis where the body attacks the joints)

So,bottom line-your immune system doesn't need boosting-in fact it needs dampening down.

This of course is just my take and understanding of it.

Hope that made sense! :huh:

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

Open Original Shared Link

this might give you a wee bit more info--this is when i posted this same question a while back...

CMCM Rising Star
CMCM
Posted
When ordering vitamins/supplements I always check to make sure they are marked gluten free. When reading the label on the echinacea bottle it is noted that those with auto immune conditions should not take echinacea. I never noticed this precaution before. Does anyone have additional information? Can celiacs ingest echinacea? Thanks.

Well, I've felt like I was coming down with a horrible sore throat...felt like strep throat or something. I could hardly swallow, felt like there was a lump in my throat. At first I thought it was perhaps reaction to going totally off gluten because this started about 4 days after that....and oddly, taking 2 Advil helped, but at that point I was taking Echinacea AND Astragalus, which I had recently read was thought by some to be even more effective than echinacea. Plus I took 1g vitamin C a couple of times a day. Anyhow, this sort of came and went for a couple of days but now seems to be gone 4 days after I first felt it, and I never did get sick beyond the sore throat. In any case, was this a cold developing or was it due to gluten withdrawal? Who knows, not I. But the echinacea didn't seem to bother me as far as I can tell. I looked at the bottle and it also had the autoimmine warning. Weird.

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

it might have been a cold. can't tell you how many times in the past i was getting sick, took echinacea for a 2 days and was normal again. i have been reading on Astragalus...going to have to do some more research and maybe try sometime. goldenseal is good too...

CMCM Rising Star
CMCM
Posted
it might have been a cold. can't tell you how many times in the past i was getting sick, took echinacea for a 2 days and was normal again. i have been reading on Astragalus...going to have to do some more research and maybe try sometime. goldenseal is good too...

I'm using one of Swanson's Premium Brand Echinacea with Goldenseal Root. The bottle claims the only other ingredient is gelatin. In my family, we all think it can nip things in the bud. The jury is out on the astragalus, but it's interesting. This was my first experience with it recently.

  • 4 years later...
mudgely Newbie
mudgely
Posted

I'm using one of Swanson's Premium Brand Echinacea with Goldenseal Root. The bottle claims the only other ingredient is gelatin. In my family, we all think it can nip things in the bud. The jury is out on the astragalus, but it's interesting. This was my first experience with it recently.

I can confirm that echinacea has a rapid immune effect in the gastroinstestinal tract from an experience that I am having right now. Last night, I got "glutened" at a restaurant. I realized it as soon as it happened, and I took 30 mg dexamethasone to suppress my immune response. Today, I was still reacting, to I took 15 mg twice during the day, and things were OK. I was in the mood for some tea, and without thinking I drank some echinacea tea. My body responded within minutes, with cramping and diarrhea. It occurred to me immediately, that the echinacea must have boosted my immune response, so my body was rejecting the gluten still in me.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. xxnonamexx
      - xxnonamexx replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      2

      Healthy Gluten Free Foods low sugar that you found?

      I know gluten free proteins like eggs and yogurt but nuts especially trail mixes are tricky as they are hard to find certified gluten free trail mixes especially w/o added sugars. I agree subscription boxes are hit or miss I think I have found RXBar with simple ingredients no added sugars gluten-free might be a great protein bar.
    2. McKinleyWY
      - McKinleyWY replied to McKinleyWY's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      3

      Accuracy of testing concerns

      I sure appreciate the information. I knew there had to be gluten consumption for the blood test, but I did not realize that also applied to biopsies. Thank you so much for that nugget of knowledge. I look forward to learning more as I dive into this website and the collective knowledge, experience, and wisdom from those who have gone before and/or those...
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

      Thank you for sharing this — it’s really important. The FDA is actively seeking public input on improving gluten and ingredient labeling, which could directly impact how people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity shop and stay safe. Clearer labeling would help reduce accidental gluten exposure and make it easier to identify hidden sources of gluten in ...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to lizzie42's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Low iron and vitamin d

      A low tTG is great news, but it doesn’t always mean the small intestine has fully healed yet—iron and vitamin D absorption can lag behind for months or even years, especially in young children. Many kids need supplements for a period of time while the gut repairs itself, and that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be lifelong. Morning stomach pain is also ...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      2

      Healthy Gluten Free Foods low sugar that you found?

      A lot of gluten-free packaged foods do rely on extra sugar, starches, or sodium to replace texture and flavor, so focusing on simpler options makes sense. Many people do better with naturally gluten-free proteins like eggs, plain yogurt, nuts, seeds, hummus, beans, and minimally processed protein bars with lower added sugar and higher fiber. Pairing those...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,245
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Christine Ranalli
    Newest Member
    Christine Ranalli
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • xxnonamexx
      Healthy Gluten Free Foods low sugar that you found?

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      I know gluten free proteins like eggs and yogurt but nuts especially trail mixes are tricky as they are hard to find certified gluten free trail mixes especially w/o added sugars. I agree subscription boxes are hit or miss I think I have found RXBar with simple ingredients no added sugars gluten-free might be a great protein bar.
    • McKinleyWY
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By McKinleyWY · Posted

      I sure appreciate the information. I knew there had to be gluten consumption for the blood test, but I did not realize that also applied to biopsies. Thank you so much for that nugget of knowledge. I look forward to learning more as I dive into this website and the collective knowledge, experience, and wisdom from those who have gone before and/or those who are just beginning the journey like me. Marilyn 
    • Scott Adams
      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Thank you for sharing this — it’s really important. The FDA is actively seeking public input on improving gluten and ingredient labeling, which could directly impact how people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity shop and stay safe. Clearer labeling would help reduce accidental gluten exposure and make it easier to identify hidden sources of gluten in foods. I encourage everyone here who is affected by celiac or gluten sensitivity to read the announcement and submit their own suggestions — real lived experience matters and can influence policy changes that benefit the whole community.
    • Scott Adams
      Low iron and vitamin d

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      A low tTG is great news, but it doesn’t always mean the small intestine has fully healed yet—iron and vitamin D absorption can lag behind for months or even years, especially in young children. Many kids need supplements for a period of time while the gut repairs itself, and that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be lifelong. Morning stomach pain is also commonly reported in celiac kids and can be related to slow healing, reflux, motility, or even low iron itself. It sounds like the supplements are clearly helping, which is reassuring, and ongoing monitoring with her doctor can help determine when (or if) doses can be reduced as absorption improves. The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs. This article has more info:    
    • Scott Adams
      Healthy Gluten Free Foods low sugar that you found?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      A lot of gluten-free packaged foods do rely on extra sugar, starches, or sodium to replace texture and flavor, so focusing on simpler options makes sense. Many people do better with naturally gluten-free proteins like eggs, plain yogurt, nuts, seeds, hummus, beans, and minimally processed protein bars with lower added sugar and higher fiber. Pairing those with whole foods can help you feel more “normal” without triggering symptoms. Subscription boxes can be hit or miss, so checking labels carefully and using them as an occasional supplement—rather than a staple—often works best.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.