Common name: Purple coneflower
Botanical names: Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida
The root and/or the above-ground part of the plant during the flowering growth phase are used in herbal medicine.
USES
Echinacea is thought to support the immune system by activating white blood cells. Rotating echinacea with extracts of medicinal mushrooms may help to strengthen overall immunity during cancer treatments. While additional research is needed to define the potential role of echinacea in fighting cancer, a small German study showed that in patients with advanced colon cancer the herb appeared to prolong survival in those who took it in conjunction with standard chemotherapy. The herb presumably boosted the immune system’s ability to fight invading cancer cells.
Several double-blind studies have confirmed the benefit of echinacea for treating colds and flu. Recent studies have suggested that echinacea may not be effective for the prevention of colds and flu and should be reserved for use at the onset of these conditions. In terms of other types of infections, research in Germany using injectable forms or an oral preparation of the herb along with a medicated cream (econazole nitrate) reduced the recurrence of vaginal yeast infections as compared to women given the cream alone.
Echinacea is currently being studied as a possible treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition marked by profound and persistent exhaustion.
Cautions and Side Effects
Do not use if you have tuberculosis or a chronic auto-immune disease such as lupus, multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis. Also avoid if taking HIV medications, and anxiety drugs, immunosuppressants, cholesterol-lowering or anti-cancer drugs. Avoid using in conjunction with drugs that are toxic to the liver, such as anabolic steroids, amiodarone, methotrexate and ketoconazole, as it may worsen liver damage. Do not take echinacea if you are allergic to closely related plants, such as chrysanthemum asters or ragweed. Don’t use for more than eight weeks at a time.