What are the benefits of taking echinacea?
Today, people use echinacea to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu, and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections.
Does echinacea really work?
The bottom line. Echinacea is a powerful herb with potent medicinal properties. Although some research has found that it might treat and prevent the common cold, other studies have concluded that it’s unlikely to have any significant impact. Hence, more high-quality studies in humans are needed.
Who should not take echinacea?
Ask a doctor before using echinacea if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice. Echinacea should not be used in a child younger than 12 years old.
Does echinacea boost immune system?
Echinacea may strengthen your body’s immune system, helping you fight colds and flus caused by viruses or bacteria. Some research shows that the echinacea plant contains chemicals that help your body create white blood cells.
Does echinacea fight viruses?
Echinacea has been long used to fight colds and infections, and many experts recommend its use.
Can echinacea be harmful?
Echinacea can cause minor side effects. These can include an upset stomach, nausea, and dizziness. Serious side effects include allergic reactions such as rash, swelling, and difficulty breathing. It can also worsen asthma symptoms.
Does echinacea affect kidneys?
Others, such as echinacea (used as a cold and flu remedy), can directly affect kidney function, so you should get advice from your doctor or pharmacist before using them.
Does echinacea affect sleep?
Some side effects have been reported such as fever, nausea, vomiting, unpleasant taste, stomach pain, diarrhea, sore throat, dry mouth, headache, numbness of the tongue, dizziness, insomnia, disorientation, and joint and muscle aches. In rare cases, echinacea has been reported to cause inflammation of the liver.
Is echinacea hard on the liver?
Hepatotoxicity. In multiple controlled trials, echinacea by itself has not been linked to liver injury, either in the form of transient serum enzyme elevations or clinically apparent acute liver injury.
Is echinacea good for anxiety?
Research has discovered that echinacea plants contain compounds that may reduce feelings of anxiety. These include alkamides, rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid ( 18 ). In one mouse study, three out of five echinacea samples helped reduce anxiety.
What should you not take with echinacea?
What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Echinacea? Avoid coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, or other products that contain caffeine. Taking echinacea with caffeinated products can increase caffeine side effects such as headache, increased heart rate, and feeling jittery.