Echinacea?

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

Was wondering if anyone had any good experiences feeding echinacea? Rock gets very bad athsma attacks in the summer, but this year with the increased amount of rape around hes really struggling. He's on a breathing supplement (winergy ventilate) all year round which has helped hugely but with the addition of the pollen now summer is on its way hes gone downhill. Hes on ventipulmin atm as well as the ventilate after his attack on monday, and on surelimb vits+mins but have started feeding him echinacea as my physio told me her friends horse was the same and was fed this in the summer (from march to october) and since hes been on it hasnt had an attack.
So was wondering about peoples experiences on it?

 

[TequilaMist]

I have only used it to boost immune system when horses get cuts etc or look below par.Its usually appearred to work with good effect..Never heard of it used in asthma.Wonder if it would work on humans..
Not really much help but glad its helping your Rock.

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

I think the theory behind it helping a horse like him is, his athsma or copd attacks are a result of an allergy to pollen, and by feeding it to him it heightens his immune system and therefore fights the allergic response. Not sure though. Am trying a nose net on him now as his nose was very sore when i brought him in this afternoon and also quite swollen which is why i think hes struggling to breath - have no idea why the vet didnt notice this or suggest using a nose net?

 

[parsley]

I am not entirely sure but I think that hayfevery type symptoms are from an overeaction of the immune system and so feeding echinacia might just exaxurbate the problem - I am sure someone will say if I have got this wrong