Echinacea is usually safe to consume when you are expecting, but to be careful, you might want to stay away from it. This is why:
Although many doctors consider echinacea to be low risk, there isn’t enough evidence to indicate that it is completely safe to take while pregnant. Because few studies evaluate these products on expectant mothers for safety concerns, that is true for the majority of vitamins and herbal products.
Among other forms, echinacea is available as tablets, capsules, lotions for external use, and beverages. It is often taken orally in the hope that it may strengthen the immune system and help prevent colds and other upper respiratory infections, although randomised controlled trials have not supported this claim. Some people also use it topically to treat burns and wounds and to treat urinary tract infections.
Although echinacea has been used as a herbal treatment for many years, there are few published studies about its usage during pregnancy, and the effectiveness of those studies is still up for debate. In one study, researchers tracked 261 pregnant women who consumed various echinacea preparations. During the first trimester, it was taken by more than 112 of them. There were no rises in miscarriages or baby birth abnormalities.
Another study examined data on echinacea use during the first trimester and found no evidence that it increases the incidence of birth abnormalities. Echinacea is one of the most frequently utilised medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding. (That study also advised against taking echinacea while nursing because there isn’t enough evidence to suggest it is safe.)
Although this knowledge is comforting, there aren’t enough research to conclusively say whether taking echinacea while pregnant increases the chance of birth abnormalities or other issues.
The preparation and components of herbal treatments like echinacea can vary widely because they are not subject to the same FDA regulations as prescription drugs. This makes it challenging for specialists to extrapolate study findings to other echinacea products on the market, which is yet another reason to use herbal medicines with caution.
Additionally, it has been discovered that certain echinacea formulations have lead contamination. The development of a baby’s brain can be harmed by high blood lead levels during pregnancy.
Prior to taking any medication, vitamin, or herbal supplement during pregnancy, it is always advisable to see your doctor. Call your healthcare practitioner or bring the bottle to your subsequent prenatal appointment if you’re uncertain about a product’s safety.
Sources
2011; Nordeng H, et al. Relationship between the usage of herbal medications during pregnancy and the outcome of the pregnancy in 600 Norwegian women who also used other types of drugs concurrently. Clinical Practice of Complementary Therapies, 17(3):147-51. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21742280/ [Retrieved in August 2021]
2010; Cuzzolin, L., et al. Focusing on pregnancy outcomes, 392 pregnant women in Italy used herbal products. Drug Safety and Pharmacoepidemiology, 19(11), 1151–1158. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20872924/ [Retrieved in August 2021]
D. Perri et al., 2006. Echinacea (Echinacea angustafolia, e. purpurea, and e. pallida) is safe and effective to use throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17085774 Canadian Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 13(3):e262-7 [Retrieved in August 2021]
2016; Heitmann K, et al. The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study examined the pregnancy outcomes following prenatal echinacea exposure. 72:623–30 European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26895223/ [Retrieved in August 2021]
How much echinacea is safe to consume when expecting?
Echinacea is taken best as a tincture. A tincture that also contains goldenseal should not be purchased because pregnant women should not use this herb. Enchinacea tincture should be taken twice daily in doses of 5mL (1 teaspoon). You can also take capsules.
When pregnant, are echinacea pills safe to take?
The portion of your immune system that defends against viruses and bacteria operates at a decreased intensity when you are pregnant. Because of this, expecting mothers frequently experience more colds and flus, coughs, and sore throats than usual. 1,2
So what can be done to combat the common cold and the flu while pregnant? Pregnant women should take good care of themselves while they are sick with the flu or a cold; they should get enough rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat a nutritious diet. A healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals like zinc and vitamin C can enhance the immune system. 3,4 Western herbal medicine has utilised the herb echinacea purpurea (often known as echinacea) for centuries to encourage a healthy immune response. 5
Can echinacea be consumed when expecting? Echinacea is categorised as a Category A medicine in pregnancy according to traditional herbal medicine categorization, which means controlled research in healthy pregnant women have shown no risk to the foetus. 6 Echinacea is one of the few plants that is safe to use while pregnant.
How does echinacea assist? Echinacea may be beneficial to take during any early symptom of infection, exposure to infection, or as a prophylactic during cold and flu season in order to maintain the mother’s immune system during pregnancy. When taken at the first sign of infection, echinacea is a traditional herbal remedy used in western herbal therapy to help reduce the symptoms of the common cold. 7
What else might be beneficial? In addition to getting enough sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, and drinking lots of water, there are other substances that may help strengthen the immune system during pregnancy. Breast milk contains a kind of protein called lactoferrin, which may improve immune system function and increase immune cell activity. 7 During pregnancy and breastfeeding, there is an increased need for vitamin C and zinc, and zinc is crucial for the maintenance of a healthy immune system. 3,4 For more details on dietary supplements, consult your healthcare provider. Always read the label and only use as instructed. Consult a medical professional if your symptoms don’t go away.
How much echinacea should I consume daily?
Furthermore, echinacea products frequently do not contain exactly what is stated on the label. According to one study, 10% of samples of echinacea products were devoid of any echinacea (32).
However, studies have shown that the following doses can help boost immunity (11):
- Three times a day, take 300–500 mg of dry powdered echinacea purpurea extract.
- 2.5 ml, three times per day, or up to 10 ml per day, for liquid extract tinctures.
However, it’s essential to adhere to the directions provided with your particular supplement.
The long-term effects of echinacea on the body are still mostly understood, so these suggestions are for short-term use only.
The wide range of echinacea products makes it challenging to establish a suggested dosage. Depending on the type of echinacea you’re using, the dosages change.
Which plants should you stay away from when nursing?
Unsafe herbs to use while pregnant
- Aloe, barberry, black cohosh, blue cohosh, dong quai, feverfew, goldenseal, juniper, wild yam, and motherwort are uterine stimulants.
- Herbs including autumn crocus, mugwort (appropriate for moxibustion but not for ingestion), pokeroot, and sassafras could potentially be harmful to your child.
What occurs if echinacea is consumed in excess?
Echinacea is probably short-term safe for the majority of people when taken orally. It is safe to utilise different echinacea products for up to 10 days. Some products, like Echinaforce (A. Vogel Bioforce AG), offer a six-month safe usage period.
The most frequent adverse reactions are rash, diarrhoea, heartburn, constipation, and stomach pain. Some people may experience adverse responses, particularly those who are allergic to ragweed, mums, marigolds, or daisies.
Echinacea may be safe for short-term use when applied topically. Echinacea-containing cream (Linola Plus Cream) has been used safely for up to 12 weeks. Echinacea topical application may result in skin redness, itching, or rashes.
Can echinacea be taken in excess?
The United States and Canada are home to the blooming plant echinacea. Additionally known as coneflower. It belongs to the family of plants known as daisies. For many years, echinacea has been used as a herbal treatment. The viruses that cause colds, sore throats, and the flu are now frequently prevented or treated with it.
Most drug stores and health food stores carry echinacea products. It is available as teas, pills, liquid extracts, capsules, or dried plants. It is one of the most widely used herbs in the country.
Path to improved health
Echinacea is frequently used as a dietary supplement to treat infections like the common cold. They contend that it strengthens the immune system. This improves the body’s ability to combat the infection. As a result, the illness might not persist as long. When feeling well, some people use it to avoid getting sick.
Consult your primary care physician before using echinacea to treat a cold or the flu. Make sure to conduct your study as well. Before being sold, dietary supplements do not require FDA approval. The components in some supplements may not be what is listed on the label. Look for a business that quality tests their goods. You will then be certain that you are acting appropriately.
Pay close attention to the package label. Echinacea is available in a wide range of doses and strengths. Additionally, it may be combined with other nutrients. Observe the instructions on the packaging. Take only the prescribed amount. It can be hazardous to take more than is advised.
The majority of companies advise against eating echinacea on an empty stomach. They advise drinking a lot of water or eating before taking it. Echinacea shouldn’t be taken for more than a few weeks. Long-term safety has not been sufficiently investigated.
Before taking echinacea or any supplements, consult your doctor. If it will conflict with any other medications you take, he or she can let you know. They can also suggest the appropriate dosage for you.
Keep all herbal products out of young children’s sight and reach. To prevent them from losing their potency, keep them in a cool, dry area. Avoid keeping them in restrooms, which tend to get warm and muggy.
Does it work?
On the impact of echinacea on the common cold, numerous studies have been conducted. Researchers have not yet discovered concrete proof of its efficacy. They don’t think that taking it as soon as a cold hits will make it go away faster. Taking it when you are healthy may somewhat lower your risk of contracting a cold.
What are the side effects?
Minor adverse effects are possible with echinacea. These symptoms can include nausea, dizziness, and a queasy stomach. Allergic reactions such as redness, swelling, and breathing difficulties are considered serious adverse effects. It may exacerbate asthmatic symptoms. Inform your doctor as soon as possible of any negative effects you have.
Daisy family plants can cause allergy reactions in some people. These could include chrysanthemums, marigolds, ragweed, daisies, or other flowers. This could increase your chance of experiencing an allergic reaction to echinacea.
Are infants safe to take echinacea?
The Daily Mail warns that echinacea can “cause allergies” in children, while BBC News states that echinacea cure is inappropriate for children under the age of 12.
According to a press statement from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), parents and caregivers should avoid giving oral herbal products containing echinacea to children under the age of 12 years. The danger of uncommon allergic reactions, which the MHRA states “may occasionally be severe” in this age group, has led to the warning being issued.
According to the MHRA, licenced echinacea products that were approved for use in kids between the ages of 6 and 12 are currently having their product information updated, and any stock that is still on hand will have new labels attached that provide this updated information. The MHRA cautions that there are unauthorised versions of echinacea products available, and it requests that they be similarly labelled.
According to an MHRA spokeswoman, the action was “precautionary in nature” and parents shouldn’t be concerned if they have previously administered echinacea to kids under the age of 12.
What is echinacea and what is it used for?
According to popular belief, echinacea boosts immunity and guards against illnesses.
Many people believe that echinacea plants, the root, seeds, and other elements of them, can guard them against colds. Numerous research have been conducted to determine the effects of echinacea, but no conclusive results have been found.