Background
Echinacea species are native to areas east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. Echinacea seems to activate chemicals in the body that decrease inflammation. It might also increase the body's immune system.
Echinacea is most commonly used for the common cold and other infections, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using echinacea for COVID-19.
Safety Safety definitions
The most common side effects are stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, vomiting, and rash. Allergic reactions might occur in some people, especially in people who are allergic to ragweed, mums, marigolds, or daisies.
When applied to the skin: Echinacea is possibly safe when used short-term. A cream (Linola Plus Cream) containing echinacea has been used safely for up to 12 weeks. Applying echinacea to the skin might cause redness, itchiness, or a rash.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Echinacea is possibly safe when taken by mouth for up to 7 days when pregnant. There isn't enough reliable information to know if using echinacea for longer than 7 days is safe.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if echinacea is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Echinacea is possibly safe when taken by mouth or applied to the skin for up to 10 days. Taking echinacea by mouth seems to be safe in most children ages 2-11 years, but rashes due to an allergic reaction can occur. There is some concern that allergic reactions to echinacea could be more severe in some children.
An inherited tendency toward allergies (atopy): People with this condition are more likely to develop an allergic reaction to echinacea. It's best to avoid exposure to echinacea if you have this condition.
"Auto-immune disorders" such as such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a skin disorder called pemphigus vulgaris, or others: Echinacea might have an effect on the immune system that could make these conditions worse. Don't take echinacea if you have an auto-immune disorder.
Effectiveness
- Common cold. Taking echinacea by mouth while still healthy might help prevent some colds in adults, but the benefit is probably small. Taking echinacea after catching a cold doesn't seem to improve symptoms. It isn't clear if echinacea is helpful in children.
Dosing & administration
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Caffeine
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Echinacea might decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking echinacea along with caffeine might increase levels of caffeine and increase the risk of side effects from caffeine, such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.
Darunavir (Prezista)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Echinacea might affect how quickly the body breaks down darunavir. Taking echinacea along with darunavir might increase the risk of side effects or decrease the effects of darunavir. But it's not clear if this is a big concern.
Docetaxel (Taxotere)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Echinacea might affect how quickly the body breaks down docetaxel. Taking echinacea along with docetaxel might increase the risk of side effects or decrease the effects of docetaxel. But it's not clear if this is a big concern.
Etoposide (VePesid)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Echinacea might decrease how quickly the body breaks down etoposide. Taking echinacea along with etoposide might increase the side effects of etoposide.
Etravirine (Intelence)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Echinacea might affect how quickly the body breaks down etravirine. Taking echinacea along with etravirine might increase the side effects or decrease the effects of etravirine. But it's not clear if this is a big concern.
Lopinavir / Ritonavir (Kaletra)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Echinacea might affect how quickly the body breaks down lopinavir / ritonavir. Taking echinacea along with lopinavir / ritonavir might increase the side effects or decrease the effects of lopinavir / ritonavir. But it's not clear if this is a big concern.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Echinacea might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Echinacea might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Echinacea can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking echinacea along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.
Midazolam (Versed)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Echinacea seems to affect how quickly the body breaks down midazolam. Taking midazolam with echinacea might increase the side effects or decrease the effects of midazolam.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Echinacea might increase the breakdown of warfarin and decrease how well warfarin works. This might increase your risk of having a clot. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Interactions with foods
Products
View all products
- Echinacea purpurea (Echinacea) ext. 250 mg equiv. cichoric acid 1.5 mg equiv. alkylamides 7.5 μg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 400 mg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 25 mg equiv. zinc 5 mg
- Retinol acetate 176.9 μg equiv. vitamin A 150 μg RE
- Quercetin dihydrate 200 mg
- Sambucus nigra ext. 333.4 mg
- Sambucus nigra ext. 10 mg
- Echinacea angustifolia (Echinacea) ext. 25 mg equiv. echinacoside 0.5 mg
- L-glutamic acid 25 mg
- Glutamic acid hydrochloride 25 mg
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SB) 35.72 mg equiv. bakers yeast beta glucan 178.6 mg
- Cichorium intybus powder 33.19 mg
- Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 0.5 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium bifidum 0.5 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium infantis 0.5 billion CFU
- Lactobacillus acidophilus 0.5 billion CFU
- Lactobacillus brevis 0.25 billion CFU
- Lactobacillus casei 0.25 billion CFU
- Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus 0.25 billion CFU
- Lactobacillus fermentum 0.25 billion CFU
- Lactobacillus gasseri 0.25 billion CFU
- Lactobacillus helveticus 0.25 billion CFU
- Lactobacillus paracasei 0.5 billion CFU
- Lactobacillus plantarum 0.25 billion CFU
- Lactobacillus reuteri 0.25 billion CFU
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus 0.25 billion CFU
- Lactobacillus salivarius 0.25 billion CFU
- Lipase 600 LipU
- Polyporus umbellatus powder 50 mg
- Grifola frondosa powder 50 mg
- Cordyceps sinensis powder 50 mg
- Ganoderma lucidum powder 25 mg
- Poria cocos ext. 25 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 55 mg
- Yeast 25 mg equiv. selenium 50 µg
- Iberis amara ext. 50 mg
- Apple pectin 25 mg
- Yucca gloriosa ext. 25 mg
