Echinacea

North America; Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) and Echinacea angustifolia, flowering plants of the daisy family native to the central plains of North America, used by Native American peoples for wounds, bites and infections, and adopted into Western herbal practice in the 19th century.

Immunity Respiratory Skin

Names in Different Languages

English	Echinacea
Urdu	ایچینیشیا
Hindi	एकिनेशिया
Farsi	اکیناسه
Unani	Echinacea
French	Échinacée
German	Roter Sonnenhut

Traditional Uses

Native American peoples used echinacea root and leaves for wounds, snake bites, stings and infections. In 19th- and 20th-century Western herbal practice it became a leading remedy for colds, flu and upper respiratory infections, and for minor skin complaints.

Modern Research

NCCIH calls the evidence unclear and weak overall. A 2014 Cochrane review of 24 trials (4,631 participants) found echinacea had not been clearly shown to help once a cold was underway, though a weak benefit from some preparations remains possible; a 2019 meta-analysis found a possible small effect on catching colds. Results vary by species and preparation, and the most studied single product is a fresh-pressed E. purpurea extract.

Uses

Immune support at the start of a cold
Respiratory support for colds and flu (traditional)
Skin care for minor wounds (traditional, topical)
Short-term seasonal immune support

Benefits of Use

Immune support: may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold in some trials
Respiratory support: some preparations were linked to about one day shorter colds in meta-analyses
Skin support: traditional topical use for minor wounds and skin irritation
Antioxidant support: alkylamides and cichoric acid show antioxidant activity in laboratory studies

Safe Dose & Overdose (mg/g)

Raw Herb Form

Safe: 2,500-6,000 mg/day dried herb, or 900-4,500 mg/day dried root (Egyptian Herbal Monograph; use for not more than 10 days at a time).

Overdose: Not established

Extract Form

Safe: 300-900 mg/day standardized root extract (trials used 300-1,500 mg/day; fresh-pressed aerial extract products use 2,400 mg/day).

Overdose: Not established

Side Effects

Nausea, stomach pain or diarrhoea in about 1-5% of users
Rash or allergic reaction, including rare anaphylaxis, especially in people allergic to ragweed or daisies
Tingling or numbness of the tongue with liquid extracts
Dizziness or headache in some users

Interactions

Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, tacrolimus): may reduce their effects - avoid in transplant recipients
Medicines processed by the liver (CYP3A4, e.g. some statins): may change their breakdown
Corticosteroids: may reduce their effects
Blood thinners (warfarin): possible interaction - monitor with a clinician

Sources

Disclaimer

General information only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.

Recommended Products

Medicinal Garden Kit

Grow Your Own Medicinal Garden

Smoothie Diet (21-Day)

Start the Smoothie Diet

Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

#Echinacea #herbal medicine #Immunity #Respiratory #Skin

Related Herbs

Turmeric

ہلدی · हल्दी

Digestion Joints Skin

Modern research focuses on curcumin, turmeric's main active compound, which shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in laboratory and clinical studies. Evidence is strongest for modest support…

Read full guide →

Ginger

ادرک · अदरक

Digestion Joints Respiratory

Gingerols and shogaols are the main active compounds. Clinical evidence is best for nausea (including pregnancy-related and motion-related nausea) and for modest relief of digestive discomfort…

Read full guide →

Black Seed

کلونجی · कलौंजी

Blood Sugar Immunity Respiratory

Thymoquinone is the main studied compound. Trials report modest improvements in blood-sugar control, blood pressure and respiratory symptoms, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory studies.…

Read full guide →