II. Epidemiology
- Use is popular in Germany
III. Indications (Purported benefits)
- Systemic use
- Immunostimulant for preventing and treating infection
- Topical use
- Stings and bites
- Wounds including Burn Injury
- Inflammation
IV. Efficacy
- Variable results in studies with some effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of respiratory infection
- May be effective in Common Cold
- Decreases Common Cold symptom duration
- May have slight benefit in preventing the Common Cold
- Some studies suggest no benefit in Common Cold
V. Mechanism
- Echinacea genus is closely related to sunflowers and ragweed
- Increases Phagocytosis
- Increases lymphocytic activity
- Increases activity against tumor cells
- No known bactericidal or bacteriostatic properties
VI. Dosing
- Echinacea 300 mg orally three times daily
VII. Contraindications
- Daisy Allergy
- Progressive autoimmune or systemic disease
- Acquired Immune Deficiency (AIDS)
- Tuberculosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Multiple Sclerosis
VIII. Adverse Effects
-
Immunosuppression may occur with prolonged use
- Opportunistic infections
- Impaired Wound Healing
- Hepatotoxicity risk with prolonged use
IX. Safety
- Some experts recommend limiting to under 8 successive weeks
- Unknown safety in pregnancy (limit to <7 days if used)
- Unknown safety in Lactation
X. Drug Interactions
XI. References
- (2023) Presc Lett 30(11): 66
- Shaughnessy (1997) Fam Practice Recert 19(10):53-6
- Ang-Lee (2001) JAMA 286:208-16 [PubMed]
- Asher (2017) Am Fam Physician 96(2): 101-7 [PubMed]
- Zink (1998) Am Fam Physician 58(5): 1133-40 [PubMed]
Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)
Related Studies
| Definition (NCI) | An over-the-counter herbal remedy, extracted from North American herb purple coneflower belonging to the Family Asteraceae, with potential immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory activities. Echinacea extract might be helpful to boost the body's immune system and to help fight infections, especially those of the upper respiratory tract. This herbal remedy seems to increase the growth and activity of immune cells, including white blood cells, macrophages and natural killer cells, and to stimulate phagocytosis. Furthermore, echinacoside, one of the components in Echinacea extract, has been shown to inhibit hyaluronidase, whose action increases tissue permeability, thereby Echinacea extract may promote tissue growth for wound healing by preventing bacteria spreading into healthy cells. |
| Concepts | Organic Chemical (T109) , Pharmacologic Substance (T121) |
| SnomedCT | 412177003, 412179000 |
| English | Echinacea Extract, Echinacea, echinacea (medication), echinacea extract, echinacea, ECHINACEA, ECHINACEA, UNSPECIFIED, Echinacea, Unspecified, echinacea, unspecified, Echinacea Preparation, Echinacea extract (substance), Echinacea extract, Echinacea preparation (product), Echinacea preparation |
| Spanish | preparación con Echinacea (producto), Echinacea (producto), Echinacea, preparación con Echinacea, extracto de Echinacea (sustancia), extracto de Echinacea |
