What Is Echinacea And Its Health Benefits

Alternative Names: Echinacea angustifolia; Echinacea pallida; Echinacea purpurea; Purple coneflower

Echinacea is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family, Asteraceae. The nine species it contains are commonly called purple coneflowers. They are endemic to eastern and central North America, where they are found growing in moist to dry prairies and open wooded areas. They have large, showy heads of composite flowers, blooming from early to late summer. The generic name is derived from the Greek word ‘echino’, meaning “sea urchin,” due to the spiny central disk. Some species are used in herbal medicines and some are cultivated in gardens for their showy flowers. Echinacea species are herbaceous, drought-tolerant perennial plants growing up to (140 cm or possibly 4 feet) in height. Like all Asteraceae, the flowering structure is a composite inflorescence, with purple (rarely yellow or white) florets arranged in a prominent, somewhat cone-shaped head. Plants are generally long lived, with distinctive flowers. The common name “cone flower” comes from the characteristic center “cone” at the center of the flower.

Echinacea is one of the most popular herbs in America today. This Native American medicinal plant called Echinacea is named for the prickly scales in its large conical seed head, which resembles the spines of an angry hedgehog (echinos is Greek for hedgehog). Archaeologists have found evidence that Native Americans may have used Echinacea for more than 400 years to treat infections and wounds and as a general “cure-all.” Throughout history people have used Echinacea to treat scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria. Although this herb was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, its use began to decline in the United States after the introduction of antibiotics. Echinacea preparations became increasingly popular in Germany throughout the 20th century. In fact, most of the scientific research on Echinacea has been conducted in Germany. Today, people use Echinacea to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend Echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections.

What Is Echinacea Made Of?

All species of Echinacea have chemical compounds called phenols, which are common to many other plants. Both the phenol compounds cichoric acid and caftaric acid are present in E. purpurea, other phenols include echinacoside, which is found in greater levels within E. angustifolia and E. pallida roots than in other species. When making herbal remedies, these phenols can serve as markers for the quantity of raw Echinacea in the product. Other chemical constituents that may be important in Echinacea health effects include alkylamides and polysaccharides.

Several chemicals contained in Echinacea play a role in its therapeutic effects. These include polysaccharides, glycoproteins, alkylamides, volatile oils, and flavonoids. The chemicals contained in the root differ considerably from those in the upper part of the plant. For example, the roots have high concentrations of volatile oils (odorous compounds) while the above-ground parts of the plant tend to contain more polysaccharides (substances known to trigger the activity of the immune system). The combination of these active substances is responsible for Echinacea’ s beneficial effects, though research suggests that the above ground portion of Echinacea purpurea is the most effective. In Germany (where herbs are regulated by the government), the above-ground parts of Echinacea purpurea are approved to treat colds, upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and slow healing wounds. The root of the Echinacea pallida plant is also approved for the treatment of flu-like infections.

General Uses of Echinacea

Several laboratory and animal studies suggest that Echinacea contains active substances that enhance the activity of the immune system, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. For this reason, professional herbalists may recommend Echinacea to treat urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast (candida) infections, ear infections (also known as otitis media), athlete’s foot, sinusitis, hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis), as well as slow-healing wounds. One study even suggests that Echinacea extract exerted an antiviral action on the development of recurrent cold sores triggered by the herpes simplex virus (HSVI) when supplied prior to infection. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, today, people use Echinacea to shorten the common cold and flu and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend Echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections.

Available Forms of Echinacea

Three species of Echinacea are commonly used for medicinal purposes: Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea purpurea. Many Echinacea preparations contain one, two, or even all the three of these species. Different products use different parts of the Echinacea plant. This is why the effectiveness of Echinacea may differ from one product to another.
Echinacea (including one, two, or all three species) is available in extracts, tinctures, tablets, capsules, and ointments. It is also available in combination with other immune boosting herbs, vitamins, and minerals.

A study performed by ConsumerLab.com (an independent company that tests the purity of health, wellness, and nutrition products) found that, of 11 brands of Echinacea purchased for testing, only 4 contained what was stated on their labels. About 10% had no Echinacea at all; half were mislabeled as to the species of Echinacea in the product; and more than half of the standardized preparations did not contain the labeled amount of active ingredients.

Health Benefits of Echinacea

Echinacea for Common Cold: Whether or not Echinacea helps prevent or treat the common cold remains under debate. Some studies have shown that the herb can make you feel better faster. Others suggest that Echinacea has no impact on a cold at all. Several clinical trials have shown that people who take Echinacea as soon as they feel sick reduce the severity of their cold and have fewer symptoms than those who do not take the herb. One study of 95 people with early symptoms of cold and flu (such as runny nose, scratchy throat, and fever) found that those who drank several cups of Echinacea tea every day for 5 days felt better sooner than those who drank tea without Echinacea.

A review of 14 clinical trials found that Echinacea reduced the odds of developing a cold by 58% and the duration of a cold by 1 to 4 days. However, some experts dispute these findings claiming that there were several weaknesses in the analyses. Echinacea preparations tested in clinical trials differ greatly. It is important to choose a high quality Echinacea supplement. Talk to the health care provider for recommendations. An earlier University of Maryland review based on 13 European studies concluded that Echinacea, when taken at first sign of a cold, reduced cold symptoms or shortened their duration. The review also found that three of four published studies concluded that taking Echinacea to prevent a cold was ineffective.

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) assessed the body of evidence and approved the use of expressed juice and dried expressed juice from fresh flowering aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea for the short-term prevention and treatment of the common cold. According to their recommendations, it should not be used for more than 10 days. The use in children below 1 year of age is contraindicated, because of theoretically possible undesirable effect on immature immune system. The use in children between 1 and 12 years of age is not recommended, because efficacy has not been sufficiently documented although specific risks are not documented. In the absence of sufficient data, the use in pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.

Two double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies, both conducted in Germany in 1992, support the use of Echinacea products to fight colds and flu. In one, involving 180 participants, those receiving the equivalent of 900 mg per day of the dried root of E. purpurea for 10 days fared significantly better than those receiving either half that dose or a placebo.

Echinacea for wounds: Echinacea has been found to be effective at treating slow-healing wounds and skin infections such as boils. You can drink an Echinacea herbal tea once per day, or apply Echinacea creams or ointments directly to the infected surface.

Echinacea tea when taken is widely believed to possess a potent antimicrobial and antiviral activity within the body. Medicinal uses of Echinacea tea include the treatment of urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast infections, genital herpes, , gum disease, tonsillitis, syphilis, typhoid, malaria, bloodstream infections (septicemia), streptococcus infections and diphtheria.

Echinacea poultice is also applied to the skin to treat and prevent skin infections associated with boils, skin wounds, burns, insect bites, bee stings, eczema, psoriasis, sunburns, herpes simplex, and hemorrhoids.

Other claims of health benefits from Echinacea included pain alleviation associated with migraines, and rheumatism, as stomach anti acidity, and rattlesnake bites.

Traditional uses of Echinacea

Echinacea is popularly believed to be an immunostimulator, stimulating the body’s non-specific immune system and warding off infections and also being used as a laxative. A study commonly used to support that belief is a 2007 meta-analysis in ‘The Lancet Infectious Diseases’. The studies pooled in the meta-analysis used various types of Echinacea, various parts of the plant, and various dosages. This review cannot inform recommendations on the efficacy of any particular type of Echinacea, dosage, or treatment regimen. The safety of Echinacea under long-term use is also unknown.

All the conducted trials made the scientists state that though Echinacea itself does not cure diseases, it helps the body resist and fight the illnesses, making it stronger. People, who take this plant’s preparations, tend to fall ill less often, experience milder symptoms, and recover sooner.

The diseases, against which Echinacea is a strong helping hand, are respiratory problems, bronchitis, sore throat, enlarged prostate glands, urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast (candida) infections, ear infections (otitits), sinusitis, hay fever (allergic rhinitis). Topically it can help heal eczema, psoriasis, and slow-healing wounds. Echinacea is added to anti-hemorrhoids medications; it is also a mighty skin protector from the sun damage.

How to Take Echinacea

Pediatric

You should work with the child’s pediatrician or an herbal practitioner trained in children to determine pediatric dosing.
Use alcohol-free preparations for children.

Adult

For general immune system stimulation, during colds, flu, upper respiratory tract infections, or bladder infections, choose from the following forms and take 3 times a day until you feel better, but not for more than 7 to 10 days:

1 – 2 grams dried root or herb, as tea
2 – 3 ml of standardized tincture extract
6 – 9 ml of expressed juice (succus)
300 mg of standardized, powdered extract containing 4% phenolics
Tincture (1:5): 1 – 3 ml (20 – 90 drops)
Stabilized fresh extract: 0.75 ml (15 – 23 drops)
Apply creams or ointments for slow-healing wounds as needed.

Echinacea – Precautions

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. However, herbs contain active substances that may trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, people should take herbs only under the supervision of a health care provider knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine. People with tuberculosis, leukemia, diabetes, connective tissue disorders, multiple sclerosis, HIV or AIDS, any autoimmune diseases, or, possibly, liver disorders should not take Echinacea. There is some concern that Echinacea may reduce the effectiveness of medications that suppress the immune system. For this reason, people receiving organ transplants who must take immunosuppressant medications should avoid this herb.

In rare cases, Echinacea may cause allergic reactions, ranging from a mild rash to anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction accompanied by throat tightening, shortness of breath, and, possibly, fainting). People with asthma and allergies may be at an increased risk for developing these adverse reactions. People with allergies to plants in the daisy family (compositae) should not take Echinacea unless they do so under the supervision of a health care provider. There has been one report of an individual developing erythema nodosum (a painful skin condition) after taking Echinacea to treat the flu.

When taken by mouth, Echinacea may cause temporary numbing and tingling on the tongue. Despite concerns that Echinacea may be unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding women, evidence suggests that the use of Echinacea during pregnancy does not increase the risk of birth defects or other pregnancy related health problems. Although not enough research has been done to determine Echinacea’s safety for pregnancy or breastfeeding, it’s advisable to avoid use during pregnancy or breastfeeding until more conclusive studies are conducted. Don’t hesitate to talk to the doctor if you have questions.

Echinacea – Possible Interactions

When taken by mouth, Echinacea does not usually cause side effects. One of the most extensive and systematic studies to review the safety of Echinacea products concluded that overall, “adverse events are rare, mild and reversible,” with the most common symptoms being “gastrointestinal and skin-related.” Such side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, itch, and rash. Echinacea has also been linked to rare allergic reactions, including asthma, shortness of breath, and one case of anaphylaxis. Muscle and joint pain has been associated with Echinacea, but it may have been caused by cold or flu symptoms for which the Echinacea products were administered. There are isolated case reports of rare and idiosyncratic reactions including thrombocytopenic purpura, leucopenia, hepatitis, renal failure, and a trial fibrillation, although it is not clear that these were due to Echinacea itself.

There are concerns that by stimulating immune function, Echinacea could potentially exacerbate autoimmune disease and/or decrease the effectiveness of immunosuppressive drugs, but this warning is based on theoretical considerations rather than human data. There have been no case reports of any drug interactions with Echinacea and “the currently available evidence suggests that Echinacea is unlikely to pose serious health threats for patients combining it with conventional drugs.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, UK, (MHRA), is advising parents and carers not to give oral products containing Echinacea to children under 12 years due to the risk of rare allergic reactions that may sometimes be severe. If they have any concerns, they should seek the advice of their GP or pharmacist. Children aged 12 years or over and adults can continue to use oral products containing Echinacea. Risks of side effects in older children and adults are reduced because they weigh more and in general catch fewer colds. Echinacea species are herbal ingredients traditionally used mainly to relieve symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections.

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Category: HERBS