Echinacea is widely-known for support of the immune system—in fact, it may be one of the best-known herbal remedies in the world. One would think that with millions of people worldwide using Echinacea, an anti-anxiety effect would have been detected by now. It turns out there are good reasons for missing this effect. First, only one species, grown in controlled conditions and using special extraction procedures, produces the plant compounds that reduce anxiety. Second, high doses don’t work for anxiety, and most immune supplementation is at high dosages, or standardized to high amounts of immune stimulating compounds. In a country where “more” is equated with “better,” it is hard to conceive of active compounds that work only in a narrow therapeutic window of activity.
It took a team of European researchers to unlock this secret from Echinacea.
AnxioFit-1 was tested in human volunteers experiencing increased stress and tension. A standardized questionnaire was used to measure their feelings of anxiety before using AnxioFit-1, and compared with responses 1, 3, and 7 days after taking the specialized extract. After one day of use, the participants experienced a significant reduction on the anxiety measurement scale, which increased to a 25% reduction by day 7.
The scientists report that this special Echinacea contains substances that bind to certain brain receptors that signal our bodies to reduce stress and restore calm. Two of these are cannabinoid receptors, activation of which has been proven to reduce anxiety. However, the special Echinacea did not create side effects commonly associated with prescription drugs. The scientists reported that this new specialized Echinacea compound shows great promise as an entirely new way to effectively address anxiety and improve mood.
The researchers knew they had discovered something unique—a calming and stress-relieving extract that did not cause significant side effects, from a plant with over a hundred years of safe use. With proven safety through toxicology and medical studies, researchers felt confident that this unusual extract would prove a major tool in alleviating stress, tension, nervousness and anxiety.
Dosage and Safety – More Is Not Better
No significant side effects were reported in the clinical trial. AnxioFit-1 does not cause drowsiness, nor does it interfere with daily activities. However, dosage levels have been found to be very important. At high levels (hundreds of milligrams) Echinacea acts as an immune stimulant. However, anxiety relief only occurs at low doses, and disappears when the dosage is greatly increased. Typically, no more than 20 to 40 mg daily is necessary for significant tension and anxiety relief.*
*THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT DISEASE. |
