Echinacea

October 3, 2020

This article provides general nutrition information only and is not medical advice.

Overview

Echinacea is an herb that is native to areas east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. It is also grown in western States, as well as in Canada and Europe. Several species of the echinacea plant are used to make medicine from its leaves, flower, and root. Echinacea was used in traditional herbal remedies by the Great Plains Indian tribes. Later, settlers followed the Indians' example and began using echinacea for medicinal purposes as well. For a time, echinacea enjoyed official status as a result of being listed in the US National Formulary from 1916-1950. However, use of echinacea fell out of favor in the United States with the discovery of antibiotics. But now, people are becoming interested in echinacea again because some antibiotics don't work as well as they used to against certain bacteria.

Echinacea is most commonly used for the common cold and other immune challenges.

Commercially available echinacea products come in many forms including tablets, juice, and tea.

There are concerns about the quality of some echinacea products on the market. Echinacea products are frequently mislabeled, and some may not even contain echinacea, despite label claims. Don't be fooled by the term "standardized." It doesn't necessarily indicate accurate labeling. Also, some echinacea products have been contaminated with selenium, arsenic, and lead.

Coronavirus condition 2019 (COVID-19): Some experts warn that echinacea may interfere with the body's response against COVID-19. There is no strong data to support this warning. But there is also no good data to support using echinacea for COVID-19. Follow healthy lifestyle choices and proven prevention methods instead.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Herb

Primary Functions:

Common cold, other immune challenges

Also Known As:

American Cone Flower, Black Sampson, Black Susans

How Does It Work?

Echinacea seems to activate chemicals in the body that decrease physical strain, which might reduce cold and flu concerns.

Laboratory research suggests that echinacea can stimulate the body's immune system, but there is no evidence that this occurs in people.

Echinacea also seems to contain some chemicals that can attack yeast and other kinds of fungi directly.

Uses

Common cold.Taking echinacea by mouth while still healthy may help prevent colds. But the benefit is probably small. Taking echinacea after catching a cold doesn't seem to have much benefit.

Recommended Dosing

BY MOUTH:

For the common cold: For PREVENTING the common cold, a specific echinacea extract (Echinaforce, A. Vogel Bioforce AG) 0.9 mL three times daily (total dose: 2400 mg daily) for 4 months, with an increase to 0.9 mL five times daily (total dose: 4000 mg daily) at the first sign of a cold, has been used.

Echinacea Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to take echinacea every day?

Echinacea is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in the short-term. Various liquid and solid forms of Echinacea have been used safely for up to 10 days. There are also some products, such as Echinaforce (A. Vogel Bioforce AG, Switzerland) that have been used safely for up to 6 months.

What are the benefits of echinacea?

7 Benefits of Echinacea Tea

It fights the flu.
It helps to control blood sugar.
Aids healthy cell growth.
Reduces risk of breast cancer.
Helps manage stress.
Lowers cardiovascular health.
Reduces physical strain.
Forms and dosages.

Who should not take echinacea?

Do not take echinacea if you have any of the following conditions: an autoimmune imbalance (such as lupus) multiple sclerosis. human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) immune challenge.

What is echinacea supplement?

Echinacea is used as a dietary supplement for the common cold and other immune challenges, based on the idea that it might stimulate the immune system to more effectively fight immune challenge. Echinacea preparations have been used topically (applied to the skin) for wounds and skin problems.

Does Echinacea kill viruses?

Research into echinacea

Some laboratory research says echinacea can boost different types of immune cells. It also says that it can decrease physical strain and kill bacteria and viruses.

Does Echinacea actually work?

Extracts of echinacea do seem to have an effect on the immune system, your body's defense against germs. Research shows it increases the number of white blood cells, which fight immune challenges. A review of more than a dozen studies, published in 2014, found the herbal remedy had a very slight benefit in preventing colds.

Is Echinacea bad for your liver?

Using echinacea for longer than 8 weeks at a time might damage your liver or suppress your immune system. Herbalists recommend not to take echinacea if you are taking medicines known to affect your liver. There is also a rare chance of a serious allergic reaction to echinacea.

Does Echinacea have side effects?

Echinacea can cause minor side effects. These can include an upset stomach, nausea, and dizziness. Serious side effects include allergic reactions such as rash, swelling, and difficulty breathing. It can also worsen asthma concerns.

Is Echinacea a good antibiotic?

However, use of echinacea fell out of favor in the United States with the discovery of antibiotics. But now, people are becoming interested in echinacea again because some antibiotics don't work as well as they used to against certain bacteria. Echinacea is most commonly used for the common cold and other immune challenges.

Does Echinacea boost immune system?

Is echinacea good for stress?

However, a new study from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences on a unique strain of echinacea has proven that it can also support stress. The Narrow-leaved Coneflower Root (Echinacea angustifoliae radix) can reduce stress and tension and restore healthy brain chemistry with no side effects.

Does echinacea work for flu?

Not only that, but it could also help support concerns of the flu. In one study in 473 people with the flu, drinking an echinacea-based beverage was as effective as an plant compounds medication at treating concerns.

Why is Echinacea bad for you?

Is Echinacea safe long term?

For most people, short-term oral (by mouth) use of echinacea is probably safe; the safety of long-term use is uncertain. The most common side effects of echinacea are digestive tract concerns, such as nausea or stomach pain. Some people have allergic reactions to echinacea, which may be severe.

Does Echinacea make you poop?

Dec. 20, 2006 - The popular herb echinacea has a side effect: It changes the balance of gut bacteria, a small study shows. One of the bacteria that seem to increase, bacteroides, has been linked in other studies to diarrhea, inflammatory bowel condition, and coloncancer, researchers report.

Is Echinacea worth taking?

Recent research suggests that some echinacea supplements may shorten the duration of a cold by about half a day and may slightly reduce concerns severity. But these results were too minor to be deemed significant. In the past, some studies have found echinacea to be helpful while other studies have found no benefit.

Is Echinacea an plant compounds?

Taxonomy of Echinacea species. Early reports of plant compounds activity of Echinacea [18] indicated that several different methanol and aqueous extracts derived from E. purpurea could partially protect cultured cells from immune challenge by influenza A virus, herpes simplex virus type 1, or vesicular stomatitis, viruses.

Is Echinacea bad for your kidneys?

Avoid herbal medicines if you have kidney condition as they can raise cardiovascular health. Others, such as echinacea (used as a cold and flu remedy), can directly affect kidney function, so you should get advice from your doctor or pharmacist before using them.

Clinical Studies

^ a b Cohen HA, et al. Effectiveness of an herbal preparation containing echinacea, propolis, and vitamin C in preventing respiratory tract immune challenges in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. (2004)
^ a b Lindenmuth GF, Lindenmuth EB. The efficacy of echinacea compound herbal tea preparation on the severity and duration of upper respiratory and flu concerns: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. J Altern Complement Med. (2000)
^ Yakoot M, Salem A. Efficacy and safety of a multiherbal formula with vitamin C and zinc (Immumax) in the management of the common cold. Int J Gen Med. (2011)
^ Naser B, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical dose-response trial of an extract of Baptisia, Echinacea and Thuja for the nutritional support of patients with common cold. Phytomedicine. (2005)
^ Barth A, et al. Antitussive effect of a fixed combination of Justicia adhatoda, Echinacea purpurea and Eleutherococcus senticosus extracts in patients with acute upper respiratory tract immune challenge: A comparative, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Phytomedicine. (2015)
^ Thom E, Wollan T. A controlled clinical study of Kanjang mixture in the nutritional support of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract immune challenges. Phyto Res. (1998)
^ a b Whitehead MT, et al. The effect of 4 wk of oral echinacea supplementation on serum erythropoietin and indices of erythropoietic status. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. (2007)
^ Rahmati M, et al. Efficacy and safety of echinacea root extracts in the nutritional support of pediatric common cold: A randomised clinical trial. J of Maz U Med Sci. (2012)
^ a b c d e Hermann R, von Richter O. Clinical evidence of herbal drugs as perpetrators of pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Planta Med. (2012)
^ a b c Wu L, et al. Echinacea-induced cytosolic Ca2+ elevation in HEK293. BMC Complement Altern Med. (2010)
^ a b c d e f g Dalby-Brown L, et al. Synergistic antioxidative effects of alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives, and polysaccharide fractions from Echinacea purpurea on in vitro oxidation of human low-density lipoproteins. J Agric Food Chem. (2005)
^ Najm W, Lie D. Dietary supplements commonly used for prevention. Prim Care. (2008)
^ Ma H, et al. The roles of herbal remedies in survival and quality of life among long-term breast cancer survivors--results of a prospective study. BMC Cancer. (2011)
^ Bright-Gbebry M, et al. Use of multivitamins, folic acid and herbal supplements among breast cancer survivors: the black women's health study. BMC Complement Altern Med. (2011)
^ Engdal S, Klepp O, Nilsen OG. Identification and exploration of herb-drug combinations used by cancer patients. Integr Cancer Ther. (2009)
^ Walsh NP, et al. Position statement. Part two: Maintaining immune health. Exerc Immunol Rev. (2011)
^ Senchina DS, et al. Herbal supplements and athlete immune function--what's proven, disproven, and unproven. Exerc Immunol Rev. (2009)
^ a b c d e f g h i j k Ritchie MR, et al. Effects of Echinaforce® nutritional support on ex vivo-stimulated blood cells. Phytomedicine. (2011)
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Thomsen MO, et al. Seasonal variations in the concentrations of lipophilic compounds and phenolic acids in the roots of Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea pallida. J Agric Food Chem. (2012)
^ a b c d e f g h i Hohmann J, et al. Alkamides and a neolignan from Echinacea purpurea roots and the interaction of alkamides with G-protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors. Phytochemistry. (2011)
^ The constituents of Echinacea atrorubens roots and aerial parts.
^ a b Spelman K, Wetschler MH, Cech NB. Comparison of alkylamide yield in ethanolic extracts prepared from fresh versus dry Echinacea purpurea utilizing HPLC-ESI-MS. J Pharm Biomed Anal. (2009)
^ Bauer R, Remiger P. TLC and HPLC Analysis of Alkamides in Echinacea Drugs1,2. Planta Med. (1989)
^ Alkamides from the roots of Echinacea angustifolia.
^ Chen Y, et al. Macrophage activating effects of new alkamides from the roots of Echinacea species. J Nat Prod. (2005)
^ a b Lu Y, et al. Efficient counter-current chromatographic isolation and structural identification of two new cinnamic acids from Echinacea purpurea. Nat Prod Commun. (2012)
^ a b c d e f g h Benson JM, et al. Echinacea purpurea extracts modulate murine dendritic cell fate and function. Food Chem Toxicol. (2010)
^ a b Liu Y, et al. Adjuvant activity of Chinese herbal polysaccharides in inactivated veterinary rabies vaccines. Int J Biol Macromol. (2012)
^ Di Pierro F, et al. Use of a standardized extract from Echinacea angustifolia (Polinacea) for the prevention of respiratory tract immune challenges. Altern Med Rev. (2012)
^ Ragupathi G, et al. Evaluation of widely consumed botanicals as immunological adjuvants. Vaccine. (2008)
^ TLC and HPLC Analysis of Alkamides in Echinacea Drugs.
^ Chicca A, et al. Cytotoxic activity of polyacetylenes and polyenes isolated from roots of Echinacea pallida. Br J Pharmacol. (2008)
^ a b Binns SE, et al. Phytochemical variation in echinacea from roots and flowerheads of wild and cultivated populations. J Agric Food Chem. (2002)
^ Rininger JA, et al. Immunopharmacological activity of Echinacea preparations following simulated digestion on murine macrophages and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. J Leukoc Biol. (2000)
^ a b c d e Pugh ND, et al. The majority of in vitro macrophage activation exhibited by extracts of some immune enhancing botanicals is due to bacterial lipoproteins and lipopolysaccharides. Int Immunopharmacol. (2008)
^ a b c Pugh ND, Jackson CR, Pasco DS. Total bacterial load within Echinacea purpurea, determined using a new PCR-based quantification method, is correlated with LPS levels and in vitro macrophage activity. Planta Med. (2013)
^ a b Brinkeborn RM, Shah DV, Degenring FH. Echinaforce and other Echinacea fresh plant preparations in the nutritional support of the common cold. A randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Phytomedicine. (1999)
^ a b Kim HO, et al. Retention of alkamides in dried Echinacea purpurea. J Agric Food Chem. (2000)
^ Kim HO, et al. Retention of caffeic acid derivatives in dried Echinacea purpurea. J Agric Food Chem. (2000)
^ Stuart DL, Wills RB. Effect of drying temperature on alkylamide and cichoric acid concentrations of Echinacea purpurea. J Agric Food Chem. (2003)
^ a b Livesey J, et al. Effect of temperature on stability of marker constituents in Echinacea purpurea root formulations. Phytomedicine. (1999)
^ a b Effect of handling and storage on alkylamides and cichoric acid in Echinacea purpurea.
^ Patterson MF. Microbiology of pressure-treated foods. J Appl Microbiol. (2005)
^ Chen XM, et al. Effect of high pressure pasteurization on bacterial load and bioactivity of Echinacea purpurea. J Food Sci. (2010)
^ Advantages of high pressure sterilisation on quality of food products.
^ Schapowal A. Efficacy and safety of Echinaforce® in respiratory tract immune challenges. Wien Med Wochenschr. (2013)
^ a b Woelkart K, et al. Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of Echinacea purpurea preparations and their interaction with the immune system. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. (2006)
^ a b c d e f Gertsch J, et al. Echinacea alkylamides modulate TNF-alpha gene expression via cannabinoid receptor CB2 and multiple signal transduction pathways. FEBS Lett. (2004)
^ a b c d e f g Shah SA, et al. Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and nutritional support of the common cold: a meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. (2007)
^ a b Matthias A, et al. Permeability studies of alkylamides and caffeic acid conjugates from echinacea using a Caco-2 cell monolayer model. J Clin Pharm Ther. (2004)
^ Jager H, et al. Transport of alkamides from Echinacea species through Caco-2 monolayers. Planta Med. (2002)
^ a b Matthias A, et al. Bioavailability of Echinacea constituents: Caco-2 monolayers and pharmacokinetics of the alkylamides and caffeic acid conjugates. Molecules. (2005)
^ a b Matthias A, et al. Cytochrome P450 enzyme-mediated degradation of Echinacea alkylamides in human liver microsomes. Chem Biol Interact. (2005)
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