Echinacea for allergy sufferer

[Sophstar]

My pony suffers badly with allergies especially in the summer and the vet has recommended using echinacea to help give his immune system a helping hand. Is there any preference over liquid or the powder? and where is the cheapest place I can get it from? He's already on equi expectorant and we are currently giving Naf 5 star respirator a go. The vet did say there was a supplement available that comes from Iceland...Respovil or something? He wasn't sure, but studies apparently show icelandic ponies hardly ever have respiratory problems so there is a supplement from Icelandic herbs! If anyone else has heard of it then tell me what it's called!

 

[lhotse]

I would be wary of feeding it to a pony with allergies, the body is producing histamine in response to a stimulant, and tests have shown that echinacea itself can cause an allergic reaction in people with allergies. You need to calm the system down rather than kick start it.

 

[Dobiegirl]

I presume your pony has summer pasture pulmonary disease aka hay fever, if your vet suggests echinacea than who are we to argue with him.

I presume Icelandic ponies dont suffer with this because of the air quality not necessarily because of the herbs they eat.