The Herbs of Airborne - Do You Know the Risks of Using Echinacea and Vitex?

I faithfully consumed free samples of the original Airborne tablets and powder for two weeks in January of 2007. Airborne was a sponsor at the Sundance Film Festival 2007 and had a Main Street venue set up to give away their miracle pill and powder. When we heard that a teacher created Airborne and the special mix of vitamins and herbs would help keep us from getting sick in high germ areas, we just had to try out this stuff. We made daily visits to the Airborne Lounge, sometimes twice a day to get our dose.

At that time, I didn't view Airborne as anything much different than the loads of energy booster packets and herbal supplement packets found on the counters of most convenient stores. You can find similar products, making similar claims on most health food shelves of grocery stores, natural food stores, and other retail outlets for herbal supplements. The great debate over claims that herbal supplements have special medicinal values has gone on for years. For every study that says they work, there is one that says they don't.

So, I did a little research into what the herbs are in Airborne, how they are used by other cultures, and any studies done on them. I also looked more closely at the packaging since, thankfully, there are new U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules for marketing herbal supplements. The Airborne package clearly states that the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any diseases. The Airborne package also states that the FDA has not evaluated any of the statements made by Airborne. So, what is the problem?

Here are some interesting facts and some warnings about four of the herbal extracts used in blends of the original Airborne product: Echinacea, Chinese Vitex Fruit, Maltodextrin, and Forsythia. You be the judge about whether these herbal extracts used in Airborne are SAFE for you in addition to making claims of enhancing your immune system. Therein lies the real problem for me: ARE THEY SAFE FOR YOU TO CONSUME?

Echinacea (Airborne Uses Above Ground Parts)

There have been studies that suggest that the immune system can be enhanced by the active substances in Echinacea. Some of the studies also show positive results of Echinacea for use as an antiviral or antioxidant purpose. The jury is still out on whether it treats the common cold. One study of 95 people found that taking Echinacea helped people with a cold feel better faster. However, a comprehensive study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2005, using 437 people before and after cold symptoms, found no difference between those using Echinacea and those using placebo.

Most of the studies done on the medicinal effects of Echinacea have been done in Germany where the government regulates herbal products. In Germany, the above ground part of the Echinacea plant can be used for medicinal products that treat colds, upper respiratory infections, urinary infections, and slow-healing wounds. The root of the Echinacea plant can be used in Germany to treat flu-like symptoms. Germany restricts the use of Echinacea for more than eight weeks at a time.

As with any herb, the chemical contents of the plant or root can dangerously interact with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Even though the American Herbal Products Association has given Echinacea a Class 1 Safety Rating, Echinacea could have serious side effects in people with diabetes, tuberculosis, leukemia, connective tissue disorders, multiple sclerosis, HIV, AIDS, autoimmune diseases, or liver disorders. People having organ transplants should not use Echinacea.

Echinacea can increase allergic reactions in people with asthma or severe allergies. Painful skin conditions known as erythema nodosum can develop in people using Echinacea to treat flu symptoms. In some cases, people using Echinacea could experience fainting, shortness of breath, and throat tightening.

Chinese Vitex Fruit

This herb is sometimes used to elevate prolactin levels that regulate the pituitary gland. If taken over 12-18 months, it may reduce prolactin levels, having an estrogen-like effect on women. You should avoid using Vitex if you or your family members have a history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, or uterine cancer. If you are taking hormone replacement therapy products, it is highly advised that your medical provider monitor any use of Vitex.

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is used in Gelclair, Multidex, and OraRinse brands of products. As a topical treatment, these products are used to treat infected or non-infected wounds by providing a protective barrier that helps new tissue to grow and heal the wound. As an oral treatment, these products are used to heal oral lesions, oral ulcers, and pain due to mucositis and stomatitis. There are no reported side effects or warnings about these branded over-the-counter medications using Maltodextrin.

Forsythia

Forsythia has been used by the Chinese to remove toxins and reduce swellings in the body. The Chinese believed this detoxicant could help relieve internal problems often times caused by viral or bacterial infections. There were a couple of studies published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2005 and 2006 regarding the medicinal effects of forsythia on the Influenza A virus that appear to be promising for future development of cold and flu medicines.

Other herbal extract blends used in the original Airborne product are Lonicera Flower, above ground parts of Schizonepeta, Ginger, and Isatis Root. If you continue taking Airborne for any positive results you may have experienced, be sure to check with your doctor about how these herbs might interact with other medical conditions you have or medications you are currently using.

Sources:

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/echinacea-000239.htm

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/drugs/maltodextrin-079209.htm

http://beijingmuseum.gov.cn/materia/single/single/75690.shtml

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1990/V1-499.html#Detoxicants

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8D-4JH1P12-3&_user=10&_origUdi=B6T8D-4GR8N2J-5&_fmt=high&_coverDate=09%2F19%2F2006&_rdoc=1&_orig=article&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=94b1242781ccb16f07c22f0c8fba7065

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8D-4GR8N2J-5&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=cfa41b0952efcce63ef2cad05547c15e

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/amenorrhea-000006.htm

http://www.airbornehealth.com/products_original.php

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-oview.html#getinfo

http://www.xyhd.tv/2008/03/random-news/airborne-lawsuit-company-to-refund-money/