Side Effects of echinacea: A Synthesis of Findings from 5 Studies

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This information is not medical advice and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician.Data sources and disclaimers (data limitations, copyright, etc.)The analysis on "Side Effects of echinacea: A Synthesis of Findings from 5 Studies" on this page is based on PubMed data provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). However, NLM does not endorse or verify these analyses.

This analysis is based on research papers included in PubMed, but medical research is constantly evolving and may not fully reflect the latest findings. There may also be biases towards certain research areas.

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Original Abstract of the Article

Main Research Findings

Echinacea is widely used for the prevention and treatment of infections such as colds. However, its efficacy has not been scientifically proven. Five randomized controlled trials investigating the immunomodulatory effects of echinacea found that echinacea can enhance the activity of immune cells. 1 However, these studies did not show that echinacea reduces cold symptoms or reduces the risk of getting a cold.

Reasons for Side Effects

Side effects of echinacea vary depending on its ingredients, dosage, and individual constitution. Echinacea can cause side effects such as allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases by enhancing the activity of immune cells. Echinacea can also put a burden on the liver. Echinacea may interact with other medications.

Common Side Effects

Allergic Reactions

Echinacea can cause allergic reactions. Allergic reactions include skin rash, itching, swelling, and difficulty breathing.

Liver Damage

Echinacea can put a burden on the liver. Liver damage includes jaundice, abnormal liver function, etc.

Digestive Symptoms

Echinacea can cause digestive symptoms. Digestive symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Nervous System Symptoms

Echinacea can cause nervous system symptoms. Nervous system symptoms include headache, dizziness, and insomnia.

Countermeasures for Side Effects

Allergic Reactions

Consult your doctor before taking echinacea to see if you are allergic to it. If you experience an allergic reaction while taking echinacea, stop taking it immediately and consult your doctor.

Liver Damage

Consult your doctor before taking echinacea to see if you have liver disease. If you experience liver damage while taking echinacea, stop taking it immediately and consult your doctor.

Digestive Symptoms

Consult your doctor before taking echinacea to see if you have digestive problems. If you experience digestive symptoms while taking echinacea, stop taking it immediately and consult your doctor.

Nervous System Symptoms

Consult your doctor before taking echinacea to see if you have nervous system problems. If you experience nervous system symptoms while taking echinacea, stop taking it immediately and consult your doctor.

Comparison of Studies

Similarities

It has been shown that echinacea has an effect of enhancing the activity of immune cells. 1 However, it has not been shown that echinacea reduces cold symptoms or reduces the risk of getting a cold.

Differences

The effects and side effects of echinacea may vary depending on the study. This is thought to be due to differences in the species of echinacea, extraction methods, dosages, and subjects.

Considerations for Application in Real Life

Echinacea is sold as a health food but is not a medicine. Do not take it without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. Also, echinacea may interact with other medications. If you are taking any medications, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Limitations of Current Research

There is not enough research on the effects and side effects of echinacea. In particular, the long-term effects and side effects of echinacea are still unknown.

Future Research Directions

Long-term clinical trials are needed to further investigate the effects and side effects of echinacea. Also, research is needed to investigate how the ingredients, extraction methods, and dosages of echinacea affect its effects and side effects. 1

Conclusion

Echinacea has the effect of enhancing the activity of immune cells, but it has not been shown to reduce cold symptoms or reduce the risk of getting a cold. Echinacea may also cause side effects such as allergic reactions, liver damage, digestive symptoms, and nervous system symptoms. If you are taking echinacea, please consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.

Literature analysis of 5 papers
Positive Content
4
Neutral Content
0
Negative Content
1
Article Type
1
0
0
1
5
1.

Results of five randomized studies on the immunomodulatory activity of preparations of Echinacea.

Author: MelchartD, LindeK, WorkuF, SarkadyL, HolzmannM, JurcicK, WagnerH

Enhanced phagocytic activity

This article discussed five placebo-controlled randomized studies investigating the immunomodulatory activity of preparations containing extracts of Echinacea in healthy volunteers. Two studies showed a significant enhancement of phagocytic activity compared to placebo, but other studies had negative or inconclusive results.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.

Language : English

2.

Pharmaceutical and herbal products that may contribute to dry eyes.

Author: AskerogluUfuk, AlleyneBrendan, GuyuronBahman

Dry eye syndrome

Anticholinergic medications and herbal products like niacin, echinacea, and kava can contribute to dry eye syndrome, which is a common complication of blepharoplasty.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.

Language : English

3.

Use of natural health products in children: survey of parents in waiting rooms.

Author: GodwinMarshall, CrellinJohn, MathewsMaria, ChowdhuryNurun L, NewhookLeigh Anne, PikeAndrea, McCrateFarah, LawRebecca

Cold prevention
Enhanced immunity
Improved general health
Few side effects

Natural health product (NHP) use in children was reported by 45.5% of parents attending physicians' offices. Most commonly used NHPs were vitamins, followed by teas, echinacea, fish oil, and other products. Half of parents believed NHPs helped their children, while only 4.4% reported adverse side effects.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

4.

The use of the nutritional supplements during the covid-19 outbreak in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

Author: HafizNada Mohammed, El-ReadiMahmoud Zaki, EshebaGhada, AlthubitiMohammad, AyoubNahla, AlzahraniAbdullah R, Al-GhamdiSaeed S, EidSafaa Yehia

Supplement use
Supplement risk

The use of vitamin C, zinc, multivitamins, black seeds, garlic, omega-3, vitamin D, echinacea, manuka honey, curcumin, ginger, royal jelly, and propolis was reported to be more frequent during the COVID-19 pandemic period compared to before the pandemic.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

5.

Using benefit harm tradeoffs to estimate sufficiently important difference: the case of the common cold.

Author: BarrettBruce, BrownRoger, MundtMarlon, DyeLeota, AltJennifer, SafdarNasia, MaberryRob

Cold duration reduction
Side effects
Treatment cost

People want the duration of their colds to be reduced by between 26 and 65 hours to justify the potential harms of popular cold treatments. A prescription antiviral would require a greater benefit (83 hours) to justify larger perceived risks.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.Research funding provided by the Public Health Service (PHS).

Language : English

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