One of the most widely used herbs in America right now is echinacea. Native Americans gave the medicinal herb echinacea its name because of the prickly scales that mimic the enraged hedgehog’s spines on its enormous conical seed head (echinos is Greek for hedgehog).
Native Americans may have used echinacea for more than 400 years to treat wounds and illnesses as well as a general “cure-all,” according to archaeologists who have discovered evidence of this. Echinacea has been used historically to treat blood poisoning, diphtheria, syphilis, malaria, and scarlet fever. Although this herb was widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries, its use started to diminish in the US once antibiotics were developed. In Germany, echinacea preparations gained popularity during the course of the 20th century. In actuality, Germany has been the site of the majority of echinacea scientific research.
Today, individuals take echinacea to lessen the severity of the common cold and flu and to lessen symptoms including fever, coughing, and sore throats (pharyngitis). Echinacea is another plant that many herbalists advise taking to help the body fight infections and strengthen the immune system.
General Uses
Echinacea may include active ingredients that improve immunological function, ease pain, lessen inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects, according to a number of laboratory and animal studies. Because of this, qualified herbalists may suggest echinacea as a treatment for slow-healing wounds, ear infections, athlete’s foot, sinusitis, vaginal yeast (Candida) infections, ear infections, otitis media, hay fever, and slow-healing wounds. Echinacea and cichoric acid may help suppress colon cancers, according to preliminary laboratory studies. According to one study, using echinacea extract before contracting the herpes simplex virus (HSVI) may have an antiviral effect on the recurrence of cold sores.
Common Cold
It is debatable if echinacea aids in the prevention or treatment of the common cold. According to certain research, the herb can hasten your recovery. Others claim that echinacea has no effect at all on a cold. According to several clinical studies, persons who take echinacea as soon as they start to feel unwell have milder colds and experience less symptoms than those who do not. In a study of 95 patients who had fever, runny nose, scratchy throat, and other early signs of the flu and cold, it was discovered that those who drank many cups of echinacea tea daily for five days felt well more quickly than those who drank tea without the herb.
Echinacea decreased cold risk by 58 percent and cold duration by 1 to 4 days, according to a study of 14 clinical trials. Some experts, however, contest these results, arguing the research had a number of flaws. Clinical trials have used a variety of echinacea formulations. It’s crucial to get a high-quality echinacea supplement and to start taking it as soon as a cold starts, numerous times each day for the first few days. For advice, consult your health care practitioner.
Is it safe to consume echinacea daily?
A Cochrane Library systematic review was released by researchers in 2006. A systematic review is when a team of professionals compiles all the information available on a specific topic. Then they examine it to determine whether there is any supporting evidence. 13 trials were examined in the review by the researchers. The studies investigated whether echinacea could be used to treat and prevent the common cold.
Some studies suggested that it might shorten the duration of colds and ease symptoms. Others, though, proved that it was ineffective.
According to the review, there is no proof that echinacea can shield you from the common cold. More study of how echinacea might combat infections was advised. to find out more about its side effects, as well.
In 2010, a study examined how successfully echinacea root treated persons who were already congested. It was discovered that ingesting echinacea had no effect on how long colds lasted.
Over 700 participants were the subject of a study in 2012 by researchers. They discovered that daily echinacea users for at least 4 months saw few adverse effects and fewer colds.
In 2014, researchers conducted a further Cochrane review. They discovered that the echinacea products sold on the market vary greatly.
Additionally, they discovered that 10 to 20 out of every 100 persons may be less likely to have a cold as a result of certain varieties (10 percent to 20 percent ).
The researchers believed that this was a little effect and that there was conflicting data to back it up. This is so because various echinacea preparations were employed in the experiments.
Has echinacea’s efficacy been established?
the final result. A strong herb with strong therapeutic qualities is echinacea. While some research suggests that it may help treat and prevent the common cold, other studies have come to the opposite conclusion and found that it is unlikely to make a substantial difference. As a result, more thorough human research are required.
Echinacea’s effects on the immune system
Evidence suggests that echinacea may strengthen the immune system, aiding the body’s defense against viruses and illnesses ( 33 ). Echinacea can reduce the duration of the common cold, diminish the intensity of its symptoms, or even prevent it, according to numerous research ( 33 ).
Why echinacea shouldn’t be taken?
Consult your doctor before using echinacea if you regularly take other medications. Additionally, if you smoke, use illegal substances, drink alcohol or caffeine-containing beverages, you should disclose this to your doctor. These might impact how echinacea functions.
If you have an autoimmune ailment (like lupus), an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, echinacea may not be beneficial to you (AIDS). Before beginning to use echinacea, you should discuss with your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.
Echinacea allergy risk may be increased if you have a history of allergies to daisies, ragweed, marigolds, chrysanthemums, or other related plants.
Brief overview
However, no studies utilizing Echinacea in the prevention or treatment of illnesses similar to COVID-19 have been found. Current research suggests that echinacea supplementation may reduce the duration and severity of acute respiratory tract infections. There were not many side events reported, indicating the relative safety of this herbal medication. Clinical studies have shown that Echinacea lowers levels of immunological molecules associated with cytokine storm, despite the fact that it might boost immune activity, which raises concerns that it can worsen over-activation of the immune system in cytokine storm.
Verdict
When given at the earliest sign of infection, Echinacea supplements may help with the symptoms of acute respiratory infections (ARI) and the common cold. No trials employing Echinacea in the prevention or treatment of illnesses like COVID-19, however, have been found. When taken at the outset of symptoms, Echinacea may lessen the intensity and/or duration of ARI, according to earlier research. E. purpurea or a mixture of E. purpurea and E. angustifolia having standardized levels of active components were employed in trials claiming benefit.
Echinacea use hasn’t been associated with many side effects, which suggests that this herbal remedy is generally harmless. No human studies using echinacea for up to 4 months could be found that showed cytokine storm symptoms.
The results were largely consistent with a reduction in the pro-inflammatory cytokines that are involved in the progression of cytokine storm and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), factors that are highly significant in the death of COVID-19 patients when looking at all human trials that reported changes in cytokine levels in response to Echinacea supplementation. Even though there isn’t any research on the therapeutic benefits of echinacea in the treatment of cytokine storms right now, this evidence shows that more study is necessary.
Background
Two prior human studies have shown the echinacea angustifolia extract’s (EP107TM) immediate anxiolytic effects. This investigation’s objectives were to look at echinacea angustifolia’s anxiolytic and mood-lifting effects over a longer period of time with a larger sample size.
Methods
108 individuals with mild-to-moderately severe anxiety were included in this 6-week, 3-arm, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised controlled experiment. They were then randomly assigned to receive either a placebo, 20 mg, or 40 mg of echinacea angustifolia twice daily. Clinically Useful Anxiety Outcome Scale (CUXOS), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), Short Form-36 (SF-36), and Bergen Insomnia Scale were some of the outcome measures used (BIS).
Results
Based on information gathered from 104 participants, both echinacea doses were linked to overall decreases in anxiety, even though these effects were comparable to those of a placebo. In contrast to the placebo, both doses of echinacea were linked to higher improvements in the PANAS positive and negative affect scores as well as the SF-36 emotional wellbeing score.
Conclusions
Adults with mild-to-moderately severe anxiety did not experience higher reductions in anxiety when the echinacea angustifolia extract (EP107TM) was given for 6 weeks at doses of 40 and 80 mg daily in comparison to the placebo. However, there were bigger gains in both positive and negative affect, as well as emotional wellness, which may be an impact of antidepressants. Future trials will benefit from more research employing well-defined demographics and established outcome metrics.
Is echinacea effective for chest infections?
- Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), such as the common cold, can be prevented and treated with echinacea, a well-known nutritional supplement.
- With no notable side effects, echinacea may slightly lower the risk of developing a URTI, but the importance of this benefit may vary depending on how the preparations/products are manufactured and used.
- The use of echinacea does not seem to shorten the duration of a URTI.
- Consider your current health conditions and any combinations with other vitamins or medications you use when determining how echinacea may affect you specifically. Always incorporate advice from your healthcare provider into your own research.
More and more individuals are using dietary supplements to prevent and cure a variety of health issues, from selenium for cancer to vitamin D for diabetes to fish oil capsules for high blood pressure (13). The common cold, which affects the pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), sinuses, or nose, is one example of an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (45).
Many people are turning to echinacea, a collection of North American wildflowers in the daisy family, to cure or prevent URTIs (4;6-9). E. angustifolia, E. purpurea, and E. pallida are three species in particular that are used medicinally. Different echinacea products use different parts of the plant, different combinations of species are used, different methods are used to extract the therapeutic compounds, and different natural ingredients may be added (10). Additionally, they come in a variety of forms, including tablets and capsules, juices, teas, extracts, drops, and powders (4).
How many individuals have jumped on the echinacea bandwagon? It’s safe to state that “a lot” with yearly sales in the US ranging from $10100 million. You might be surprised to learn that echinacea’s safety and effectiveness are still under question given this devoted following (4;1116). One recent systematic review contributed to the conversation by focusing on the question of whether echinacea can treat or prevent URTIs (4).
Can echinacea prevent a cold?
People frequently look for all-natural cold treatments and immune boosters during the cold and flu season. Colds are said to be both prevented by and cured with echinacea for many years. However, there is conflicting data in support of the herbal supplement, and it is challenging to examine due to its various formulations.
the title “Nearly ten species of flowering herbs are referred to as echinacea, and one or more of these species are used in echinacea supplements. Either the plant’s above-ground components or its underground roots can be used to create them (or both). Due to all this variation, there is dispute among professionals regarding the advantages of echinacea.
“According to Dr. Ronald Turner, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, his 2005 study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, “found no evidence for an effect of echinacea on common cold diseases.” Turner and his associates used a variety of echinacea preparations, prepared from the Echinacea angustifolia species’ roots, to treat participants in that study. When it comes to preventing colds or lowering their severity, the echinacea supplements did not outperform the placebo.
According to other professionals, echinacea may be beneficial. “According to Kelly Kindscher, a professor of environmental studies at the University of Kansas and the author of an echinacea textbook, echinacea is well-liked because it does workâat least for some people. Kindscher claims that while some clinical studies have not demonstrated the efficacy of echinacea, others have discovered advantages.
In a 2010 study, echinacea was compared to a placebo and no treatment at all in the Annals of Internal Medicine. It discovered indications that echinacea performed better than both in terms of shortening the duration of the common cold, although these advantages were not statistically significant. There was no proof that echinacea could stop colds, according to a 2006 assessment. However, it did uncover evidence that suggests products containing the species Echinacea purpurea may shorten the duration and symptoms of a cold.
A 2014 analysis, however, acknowledged echinacea with “just marginally effective in protecting people from colds. Echinacea received a more enthusiastic recommendation in a 2015 evaluation, which found that it may lower a person’s risk of colds by 35%. How? Dr. Andreas Schapowal, the initial author of that 2015 review and a former lecturer at Hannover Medical School in Germany, speculates that echinacea may function by boosting the reaction of natural killer cells and other immune system fighters as well as by blocking the action of specific viral proteins.
How can I swiftly strengthen my immune system?
Having a robust immune system includes using vaccines, which provide us the best chance to defend ourselves against dangerous diseases.
Although your immune system is already intelligent, vaccinations help it become even more so by teaching it how to identify and combat particular diseases. Your immune system will learn much more safely through vaccination than through direct contact with these dangerous pathogens.
It’s crucial to stay up to date with all advised immunizations, particularly your annual flu shot and COVID-19 booster.