Answers

Questions

1. Did the different brands of Echinacea suggest a similar dosage? Explain.
   (Most likely not. Most brands suggest different doses that may vary from 200 mg to 1400 mg a day.)
2. How do you explain this discrepancy?
   (Answers will vary, but that lack of government regulation is an important reason.)
3. Extracts are often made from different parts of an herb. How might this affect consistency and standardization of the therapy?
   (The different plant part may have different concentrations of active ingredient. Since the dosage may vary, and since the ingredients are not regulated, the therapy is at best inconsistent.)

The activities in this guide were contributed by Michael DiSpezio, a Massachusetts-based science writer and author of "Critical Thinking Puzzles" and "Awesome Experiments in Light & Sound" (Sterling Publishing Co., NY).

Academic Advisors for this Guide:
Corrine Lowen, Science Department, Wayland Public Schools, Wayland, MA
Suzanne Panico, Science Teacher Mentor, Cambridge Public Schools, Cambridge, MA
Anne E. Jones, Science Department, Wayland Middle School, Wayland, MA