Echinacea goldenseal side effects. The Therapeutic Benefits and Potential Risks of Echinacea: A Comprehensive Guide
What are the benefits of using echinacea? What are the potential side effects? How should echinacea be used?. Discover the latest insights on this versatile herb.
Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Echinacea
Echinacea, also known as the purple coneflower, is a beloved and widely-used herbal remedy with a rich history in traditional medicine. Hailing from the central plains of North America, this vibrant plant has gained global recognition for its purported health benefits, ranging from supporting the immune system to potentially aiding in the management of certain medical conditions.
The Many Faces of Echinacea
Echinacea is not a single species, but rather a genus of nine closely related species, each with its own unique properties and potential uses. Among the most well-known and studied varieties are Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida. Each type of echinacea is believed to possess distinct phytochemical profiles, potentially leading to varying therapeutic effects.
Echinacea and the Immune System
One of the primary areas of focus for echinacea is its potential impact on the immune system. Studies have suggested that echinacea may help stimulate the activity of certain white blood cells, such as macrophages and natural killer cells, which play a crucial role in the body’s defense against invading pathogens. This has led to the belief that echinacea may be beneficial in supporting the immune system and potentially reducing the duration and severity of the common cold.
Echinacea and the Common Cold
The use of echinacea for the treatment of the common cold has been a subject of extensive research and debate. While some studies have reported positive outcomes, such as a reduced duration and severity of cold symptoms, other research has found inconclusive or mixed results. The complexity of the common cold, with its numerous viral causes, may contribute to the varying findings on the efficacy of echinacea in this domain.
Potential Benefits Beyond the Common Cold
In addition to its potential impact on the immune system and the common cold, echinacea has been explored for its possible benefits in other areas. Some studies have suggested that echinacea may have anti-inflammatory properties, which could make it useful in managing certain inflammatory conditions. There is also some evidence that echinacea may possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, potentially contributing to its traditional use in treating various infections and skin conditions.
Navigating the Risks and Precautions
While echinacea is generally considered safe for short-term use, it is essential to be aware of potential side effects and interactions. Some individuals may experience allergic reactions, such as skin rashes or difficulty breathing, particularly if they have sensitivities to plants in the daisy family. Additionally, echinacea should be used with caution in individuals with autoimmune disorders, as it may theoretically exacerbate the condition. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are also advised to consult with their healthcare providers before using echinacea.
Responsible Use and Dosing Considerations
When using echinacea, it is crucial to follow the recommended dosage guidelines and to use the product as directed. Echinacea is available in various forms, including tinctures, capsules, and teas, and the appropriate dosage may vary depending on the specific product and intended use. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional, especially when considering the use of echinacea for the management of a specific medical condition.
In conclusion, echinacea is a versatile and widely-used herbal remedy with a rich history in traditional medicine. While research on its therapeutic benefits is ongoing, the existing evidence suggests that echinacea may offer potential support for the immune system and potentially aid in the management of certain health conditions. However, it is essential to be mindful of potential side effects and to use echinacea responsibly and under the guidance of healthcare professionals. As with any herbal supplement, it is crucial to purchase echinacea from a reputable source and to be aware of potential interactions and contraindications.
Side Effects, Interactions, Uses, Dosage, Warnings
Brand Names:
Reviewed:
Echinacea is an herb also known as Purple Cone Flower, Black Sampson, Black Susans, Fleur à Hérisson, Hedgehog, Igelkopfwurzel, Indian Head, Kansas Snakeroot, Red Sunflower, Rock-Up-Hat, Roter Sonnenhut, Rudbeckie Pourpre, Scurvy Root, Snakeroot, and many other names.
Echinacea has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating the common cold, or vaginal yeast infections.
Echinacea has also been used to treat ear infections, or increasing exercise performance. However, research has shown that echinacea may not be effective in these conditions.
Other uses not proven with research have included treating anxiety, migraine headache, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), gingivitis, tonsillitis, genital herpes, human papilloma virus (HPV), low white blood cell counts, bladder infections, an eye condition called uveitis, and other conditions.
It is not certain whether echinacea is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Echinacea should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.
Echinacea is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Echinacea may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.
warnings
What is the most important information I should know about Echinacea?
You should not use this product if you are allergic to echinacea or if you have:
- an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriasis.
Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have any allergies, especially plant allergies (especially ragweed, mums, marigolds, or daisies).
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.
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Side Effects
What are the side effects of Echinacea?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Although not all side effects are known, echinacea is thought to be possibly safe when taken for a short period of time.
Common side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;
- fever, sore throat;
- muscle or joint pain;
- unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth;
- dry mouth, numb feeling in your tongue;
- headache, dizziness, confusion; or
- sleep problems (insomnia).
Echinacea applied to the skin in a topical form can cause an itchy or red skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Can I take Echinacea if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Ask a doctor before using echinacea if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Interactions
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.
Dosage Guidelines & Tips
How to take Echinacea?
Use Echinacea exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
What should I do if I missed a dose of Echinacea?
Skip the missed dose and take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
Overdose Signs
What happens if I overdose on Echinacea?
If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on: Echinacea, call your doctor or the Poison Control center
(800) 222-1222
If someone collapses or isn’t breathing after taking Echinacea, call 911
911
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Drugs A-Z provides drug information from Everyday Health and our partners, as well as ratings from our members, all in one place. Cerner Multum™ provides the data within some of the Overview, Uses, Warnings, Side Effects, Pregnancy, Interactions, Dosage, Overdose, and Images sections. The information within all other sections is proprietary to Everyday Health.
Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews
Overview
Echinacea (E. angustifolia, E. purpurea, E. pallida.) are plants related to sunflowers and ragweed. The leaf, flower, and root are used as medicine.
Echinacea species are native to areas east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. Echinacea seems to activate chemicals in the body that decrease inflammation. It might also increase the body’s immune system.
Echinacea is most commonly used for the common cold and other infections, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using echinacea for COVID-19.
Uses & Effectiveness ?
Possibly Effective for
- Common cold. Taking echinacea by mouth while still healthy might help prevent some colds in adults, but the benefit is probably small. Taking echinacea after catching a cold doesn’t seem to improve symptoms. It isn’t clear if echinacea is helpful in children.
There is interest in using echinacea for a number of other purposes, but there isn’t enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Echinacea is likely safe for most people in the short-term. Various echinacea products have been used safely for up to 10 days. Some products, such as Echinaforce (A. Vogel Bioforce AG), have been used safely for up to 6 months.
The most common side effects are stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, vomiting, and rash. Allergic reactions might occur in some people, especially in people who are allergic to ragweed, mums, marigolds, or daisies.
When applied to the skin: Echinacea is possibly safe when used short-term. A cream (Linola Plus Cream) containing echinacea has been used safely for up to 12 weeks. Applying echinacea to the skin might cause redness, itchiness, or a rash.
Special Precautions and Warnings
Pregnancy: Echinacea is possibly safe when taken by mouth for up to 7 days when pregnant. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if using echinacea for longer than 7 days is safe.
Breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if echinacea is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Echinacea is possibly safe when taken by mouth or applied to the skin for up to 10 days. Taking echinacea by mouth seems to be safe in most children ages 2-11 years, but rashes due to an allergic reaction can occur. There is some concern that allergic reactions to echinacea could be more severe in some children.
An inherited tendency toward allergies (atopy): People with this condition are more likely to develop an allergic reaction to echinacea. It’s best to avoid exposure to echinacea if you have this condition.
“Auto-immune disorders” such as such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a skin disorder called pemphigus vulgaris, or others: Echinacea might have an effect on the immune system that could make these conditions worse. Don’t take echinacea if you have an auto-immune disorder.
Interactions ?
Echinacea might decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking echinacea along with caffeine might increase levels of caffeine and increase the risk of side effects from caffeine, such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Echinacea might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Echinacea might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Echinacea can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking echinacea along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.
Echinacea might decrease how quickly the body breaks down etoposide. Taking echinacea along with etoposide might increase the side effects of etoposide.
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Echinacea seems to affect how quickly the body breaks down midazolam. Taking midazolam with echinacea might increase the side effects or decrease the effects of midazolam.
Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Echinacea might increase the breakdown of warfarin and decrease how well warfarin works. This might increase your risk of having a clot. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.
Echinacea might affect how quickly the body breaks down darunavir. Taking echinacea along with darunavir might increase the risk of side effects or decrease the effects of darunavir. But it’s not clear if this is a big concern.
Echinacea might affect how quickly the body breaks down docetaxel. Taking echinacea along with docetaxel might increase the risk of side effects or decrease the effects of docetaxel. But it’s not clear if this is a big concern.
Echinacea might affect how quickly the body breaks down etravirine. Taking echinacea along with etravirine might increase the side effects or decrease the effects of etravirine. But it’s not clear if this is a big concern.
Echinacea might affect how quickly the body breaks down lopinavir / ritonavir. Taking echinacea along with lopinavir / ritonavir might increase the side effects or decrease the effects of lopinavir / ritonavir. But it’s not clear if this is a big concern.
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
Dosing
Echinacea is available in many different types of products, including supplements, liquids, creams, mouthwashes, and throat sprays. Doses vary widely depending on the type of product used. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.
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