SYS ONLINE
SUPPLEMENT_SCHOLAR
evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Herb

Echinacea

aka Echinacea purpurea

Native American herb used for URI prevention/duration reduction.

Immune Function

Overview

Native American herb used for URI prevention/duration reduction.

Natural sources
  • Echinacea purpurea / angustifolia
Common forms
  • Standardized alkylamides

Mechanism of action

Alkylamides activate CB2 cannabinoid receptors and modulate innate immunity.

Pathways
  • · CB2 activation
  • · Innate immune modulation

Effects on the body

Decreases
Cold incidence (mild)

Organ system effects

Immune System

Mixed evidence; modest URI reduction.

Evidence-based benefits

Modest reduction in cold incidence and duration

Moderate evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · GI upset
  • · Rash (Asteraceae allergy)
Rare
    Serious

      Drug interactions

      Immunosuppressants
      Antagonistic.
      moderate
      CYP3A4 substrates
      Mild inhibition.
      minor

      Safety & non-supplemental interactions

      Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

      Avoid if you are
      • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
      • ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)
      • ·Pregnancy/breastfeeding — short-term only
      Avoid with these conditions
      • ·Autoimmune disease (theoretical immune activation)
      • ·Autoimmune disease (MS, lupus, RA)
      • ·HIV/AIDS
      • ·Asteraceae allergy
      • ·Active TB
      Avoid / monitor with these medications
      • ·Immunosuppressants
      • ·CYP1A2 / CYP3A4 substrates
      Other notes
      • ·Limit to <8 weeks of continuous use.

      Supplement interactions

      Pairs well with

      None listed.

      Avoid combining with
      • Autoimmune disease (theoretical)
        Immune activation.

      Dosing & bioavailability

      Typical dose
      300–500 mg standardized × 3/d during illness

      Where to buy

      Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

      Herb
      Echinacea
      Amazon
      Wide selection · fast shipping
      Herb
      Echinacea
      iHerb
      Global delivery · curated brands
      Herb
      Echinacea
      Thorne
      Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

      Scientific evidence (8)

      Meta-analysisCochrane Database · 2014

      Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold

      Karsch-Völk M, et al.

      Cochrane review of 24 RCTs.

      Key findings

      Modest reduction in cold incidence and duration.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Echinacea — Modest reduction in cold incidence and duration

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Echinacea Modest reduction in cold incidence and duration" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Echinacea and "Modest reduction in cold incidence and duration". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Echinacea — randomized controlled trial

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Echinacea randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Echinacea and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Echinacea — meta-analysis

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Echinacea meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Echinacea and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Echinacea — pharmacokinetics

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Echinacea pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Echinacea and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Echinacea — safety adverse events

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Echinacea safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Echinacea and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Echinacea — dose response

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Echinacea dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Echinacea and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

      Google Scholar: Echinacea — clinical evidence

      Live Scholar search

      Cross-database citation index for Echinacea as it relates to "clinical evidence".

      Key findings

      Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

      Open study
      Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.