Echinacea

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Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench

Not yet clinically reviewed

Family: Asteraceae Genus: Echinacea Species: purpurea

EchinaceaPurple coneflower

Traditionally used for

Colds & fever
Mood & calm

Cautions & contraindications

Bleeding disorders
Liver conditions
Allergy risk

Traditional use

Therapeutic Uses

Prevention and treatment of the common cold and upper respiratory infections. Evidence is limited: Drugs.com says quality trial data are lacking; Examine rates the effect small (grade B) for URTI risk and symptoms but says it outperforms placebo unreliably. Anxiolytic and immune effects have been studied but not established.

⚠ Drug Interactions

Clozapine

Moderate Evidence: Reported

Weak CYP3A4 induction

Clinical note: Monitor therapy (Drugs.com).

Nimodipine

Moderate Evidence: Reported

Weak CYP3A4 induction

Clinical note: Monitor therapy (Drugs.com).

Selpercatinib

Moderate Evidence: Reported

Weak CYP3A4 induction

Clinical note: Monitor therapy (Drugs.com).

Ubrogepant

Moderate Evidence: Reported

Weak CYP3A4 induction

Clinical note: Consider therapy modification (Drugs.com).

Etoposide and etoposide phosphate

Moderate Evidence: Reported

Not specified in source

Clinical note: Case report (Drugs.com); monitor therapy.

Dosage

Form	Amount	Frequency	Duration	Population	Notes
powder	900–1,500 mg	Daily	—	—	No standardized dose is established (Drugs.com). Examine reports amounts that appear to be used, not confirmed as optimal. Products vary widely in content.
tincture	2.5 mL	Three times daily (up to 10 mL daily)	—	—	No standardized dose is established (Drugs.com). Examine reports amounts that appear to be used, not confirmed as optimal. Products vary widely in content.

Dosage Calculator

⚖ Dosage Calculator

A weight-based mathematical estimate for Echinacea. Not a prescription.

⚠ Safety & Contraindications

Bleeding disorders
Liver conditions
Allergy risk

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to Asteraceae (Compositae) plants. Avoid with autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, leukosis, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis and HIV infection. Avoid with immunosuppressive agents (Drugs.com).

Side Effects

Allergy, GI upset and rash most commonly; severe allergic reactions and facial edema reported. Tingling, headache, nausea and vomiting also listed (Drugs.com; Examine). Rash also occurred with placebo (Examine).

Safety Warnings

Caution with history of allergic reactions, asthma, blood clotting disorders and liver disease (Examine). Product quality varies: some products contain a different species or no detectable echinacea (Examine).

References

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

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