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Echinacea 

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb echinacea—common 

names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. There 

are nine known species of echinacea, all of which are native to the United States 

and southern Canada. The most commonly used, Echinacea purpurea, is believed 

to be the most potent. 

Common Names—echinacea, purple coneflower, coneflower, American coneflower 

Latin Names—Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida 

What It Is Used For 

•	 Echinacea has traditionally been used to treat or prevent colds, flu, and 

other infections. 

•	 Echinacea is believed to stimulate the immune system to help fight 

infections. 

•	 Less commonly, echinacea has been used for wounds and skin problems, 

such as acne or boils. 

How It Is Used 

The aboveground parts of the plant and roots of echinacea are used fresh or dried 

to make teas, squeezed (expressed) juice, extracts, or preparations for external use. 

What the Science Says 

•	 Study results are mixed on whether echinacea effectively treats colds or 

flu. For example, two NCCAM-funded studies did not find a benefit from 

echinacea, either as Echinacea purpurea fresh-pressed juice for treating colds in 

children, or as an unrefined mixture of Echinacea angustifolia root and Echinacea 

purpurea root and herb in adults. However, other studies have shown that 

echinacea may be beneficial in treating upper respiratory infections. 

•	 Most studies to date indicate that echinacea does not appear to prevent colds or 

other infections. 

•	 NCCAM is continuing to support the study of echinacea for the treatment of 

upper respiratory infections. NCCAM is also studying echinacea for its 

potential effects on the immune system. 

Side Effects and Cautions 

•	 When taken by mouth, echinacea usually does not cause side effects. 

However, some people experience allergic reactions, including rashes, 

increased asthma, and anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction). In 

clinical trials, gastrointestinal side effects were most common. 
 

 

 

•	 People are more likely to experience allergic reactions to echinacea if they are allergic to 

related plants in the daisy family, which includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, 

and daisies. Also, people with asthma or atopy (a genetic tendency toward allergic 

reactions) may be more likely to have an allergic reaction when taking echinacea. 

•	 Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you 

use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure 

coordinated and safe care. 

Sources 

Barrett BP, Brown RL, Locken K, et al. Treatment of the common cold with unrefined echinacea: a randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2002;137(12):939-946. 

Echinacea. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on 

June 29, 2007. 

Echinacea (E. angustifolia DC, E. pallida, E. purpurea). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at 

http://www.naturalstandard.com on June 28, 2007. 

Echinacea. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, 

MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:88-102. 

Fugh-Berman A. Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory infections. Seminars in Integrative 

Medicine. 2003;1(2):106-111. 

Taylor JA, Weber W, Standish L, et al. Efficacy and safety of echinacea in treating upper respiratory tract infections in 

children: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003;290(21):2824-2830. 

For More Information 

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view: 

•	 What’s in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements at nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/ 

•	 Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too at nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/

NCCAM Clearinghouse 

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226 

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615 

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

CAM on PubMed 

Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/ 

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements 

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov 

NIH National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus 

Echinacea Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-echinacea.html

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. 

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute 

for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage 

you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The 

mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM. 

National Institutes of Health 

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

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Created July 2005 

Updated March 2008 

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