Echinacea
Also known as echinacea angustifolia, echinacea purpurea, purple coneflower
Key takeaways
- Cochrane reviews of multiple trials show inconsistent evidence for the prevention and treatment of the common cold (PMID: 24554461, PMID: 10796553).
- Echinacea supplementation does not appear to impact aerobic capacity or erythropoiesis in athletes (PMID: 38999738).
- A randomized trial found no significant benefit for treating the common cold (PMID: 21173411).
What the research shows
AI-synthesized from 38 peer-reviewed sources · Updated 2025
Echinacea is a widely used herbal supplement primarily utilized for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. Research evidence is mixed, with several high-quality meta-analyses and systematic reviews showing inconsistent results regarding its efficacy for the common cold.
By condition
Common Cold / Upper Respiratory Infections
Weak
Multiple Cochrane reviews and meta-analyses indicate that while some individual trials show benefit, there is no consistent, statistically significant evidence that Echinacea prevents or treats the common cold.
Athletic Performance
Insufficient
Recent meta-analysis suggests Echinacea supplementation does not significantly impact aerobic capacity or erythropoiesis in athletes.
Effective doses
Specific standardized dose ranges were not provided in the provided abstracts.
Safety & interactions
Potential for interactions with prescribed medications (PMID: 30660822).
Limitations
Research is hampered by the use of diverse plant preparations and varying extraction methods, making it difficult to standardize results across studies.
Top-rated Echinacea products
Ranked by safety score and evidence coverage
Drug–supplement interactions
102 documented interactions
| Drug | Severity | Mechanism | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antiarrhythmics | Critical | Echinacea is a weak inhibitor of CYP2C9, which decreases metabolism of CYP2C9 su | cyp-inferred |
| Anticonvulsants | Critical | Echinacea is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4, which decreases metabolism of CYP3A | cyp-inferred |
| Antipsychotics | Critical | Echinacea is a moderate inhibitor of CYP1A2, which decreases metabolism of CYP1A | cyp-inferred |
| GI Prokinetics | Critical | Echinacea is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4, which decreases metabolism of CYP3A | cyp-inferred |
| ADHD Medications | Moderate | Echinacea is a weak inhibitor of CYP2D6, which decreases metabolism of CYP2D6 su | cyp-inferred |
| ARB | Moderate | Echinacea is a weak inhibitor of CYP2C9, which decreases metabolism of CYP2C9 su | cyp-inferred |
| Abemaciclib | Moderate | Interaction identified from DDInter 2.0 database. Specific drugs: Abemaciclib | ddinter-verified |
| Abiraterone | Moderate | Interaction identified from DDInter 2.0 database. Specific drugs: Abiraterone | ddinter-verified |
| Albendazole | Moderate | Interaction identified from DDInter 2.0 database. Specific drugs: Albendazole | ddinter-verified |
| Analgesics | Moderate | Echinacea is a moderate inhibitor of CYP1A2, which decreases metabolism of CYP1A | cyp-inferred |
How it's sold
Data aggregated from 519 product labels
Research evidence
Showing top 10 of 38 sources, sorted by quality
BACKGROUND: Echinacea plant preparations (family Asteraceae) are widely used in Europe and North America for common colds. Most consumers and physicians are not aware that products available under the term Echinacea differ appreciably in th…
BACKGROUND: Echinacea purpurea is widely utilized in dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and herbal medicine, yet its effectiveness and safety for children remain debated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of E. purpurea …
BACKGROUND: Extracts of the plant Echinacea (family Compositae) are widely used in some European countries and the USA for upper respiratory tract infections. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of preparation…
**Deccy et al., 2024** | Nutrients | Meta Analysis Deccy Stephanie, Bartkowiak Callie, ... Paultre Kristopher. Echinacea Supplementation Does Not Impact Aerobic Capacity and Erythropoiesis in Athletes: A Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2024-Jun-2…
BACKGROUND: Preparations of the plant Echinacea (family Compositae) are widely used in some European countries and in North America for common colds. Most consumers and physicians are not aware that products available under the term Echinac…
Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are a prevalent health issue, causing considerable morbidity. Despite the availability of conventional treatments, there is an increasing interest in natural products due to their potential antivir…
**Anheyer et al., 2018** | Acad Pediatr | Meta Analysis Anheyer Dennis, Cramer Holger, ... Dobos Gustav. Herbal Medicine in Children With Respiratory Tract Infection: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Acad Pediatr. 2018;18(1):8-19. doi:1…
Echinacea is one of the most commonly used herbal products, but controversy exists about its benefit in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Thus, we did a meta-analysis evaluating the effect of echinacea on the incidence and du…
**Wagner et al., 2015** | Forsch Komplementmed | Meta Analysis Wagner Luise, Cramer Holger, ... Langhorst Jost. Herbal Medicine for Cough: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Forsch Komplementmed. 2015;22(6):359-68. doi:10.1159/000442111…
BACKGROUND: Echinacea preparations are commonly used to prevent and treat upper respiratory tract infection. OBJECTIVES: To assess current evidence for the safety and efficacy of echinacea containing preparations in preventing and treating …
Frequently asked questions
What is Echinacea and what is it used for?
Echinacea is a widely used herbal supplement primarily utilized for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. It is commonly taken to support immune function, although research evidence regarding its efficacy is mixed and inconsistent.
Does Echinacea work for the common cold?
Research is mixed regarding Echinacea's effectiveness for the common cold. Multiple high-quality meta-analyses and Cochrane reviews indicate there is no consistent, statistically significant evidence that it prevents or treats the common cold, meaning the evidence for this use is considered weak.
Can Echinacea improve athletic performance?
Current evidence suggests Echinacea does not significantly impact athletic performance. A recent meta-analysis indicates that supplementation does not improve aerobic capacity or erythropoiesis in athletes, so the evidence for this benefit is insufficient.
What is the effective dose of Echinacea?
Specific standardized dose ranges for Echinacea were not provided in the available research abstracts. Because effective dosing is not clearly established in the evidence summary, it is important to consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
Is Echinacea safe to take with other medications?
Echinacea has potential for interactions with prescribed medications, including immunosuppressants and midazolam. It may stimulate immune function, potentially counteracting immunosuppressive drugs, or affect how the body processes certain medications, so consulting a healthcare provider is essential.
Who should avoid taking Echinacea?
Individuals taking immunosuppressant medications should avoid Echinacea because it may stimulate immune function and counteract these drugs. Additionally, people on other medications like midazolam should exercise caution due to potential metabolic interactions, and anyone considering it should consult a healthcare provider first.
What are the safety concerns and side effects of Echinacea?
The primary safety concern is its potential to interact with prescribed medications, particularly those affecting the immune system or liver enzymes. While specific side effects are not detailed in the summary, the moderate severity of interaction with immunosuppressants means it should be used with caution and medical advice.