> Supplement Index > Echinacea / Echinacea angustofolia / Echinacea pallida / Echinacea purpurea / Black Sampson / Purple Coneflower / Red Sunflower / Sacred Plant / Sampson Root > Echinacea General Information Echinacea Uses & Scientific Evidence For Echinacea Dosage Information Echinacea Safety & Interaction Information Buy Echinacea Supplements and Products - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Echinacea General Information Also known as purple coneflower, Echinacea has been one of the most popular herbal medications for over in a century in both the United States and Europe. Native Americans used Echinacea angustifolia for respiratory infections and snakebite. Towards the end of the 19th century, this herb became widely known as an herbal concoction called “snake oil” remedy; and until the introduction of sulfa antibiotics, Echinacea was considered to be the number one cold and flu remedy in the United States. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Echinacea Uses & Scientific Evidence For The German Commission E recommends Echinacea juice for supportive treatment of recurrent respiratory infections, and the root extracts for flu-like infections. This herb is thought to be an immune stimulant. According to The American Journal of Natural Medicine, Echinacea is one of the most extensively researched herbs with well over 350 scientific research studies documenting the use of Echinacea for the prevention or treatment of colds. Studies suggest however, that Echinacea activates the body’s infection fighting capacity over a short term. It is not believed that long term use will boost the immune system and in some cases can impair your immunity. Taking this herb at the first sign of cold or flu symptoms can actually shorten the term of a cold or even abort it when caught early enough. Echinacea also aids in the production of interferon, which helps increase antiviral activity against influenza (flu) and herpes, an inflammation of the skin and mouth. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Echinacea Dosage Information Echinacea is usually taken at the onset of a cold or flu and continued for 7 to 14 days. When using a powdered extract, take 300 mg 3 times a day. The standard dosage of an alcohol tincture (1:5) is 3 to 4 ml 3 times daily. For Echinacea juice, take 2 to 3 ml 3 times a day, and the whole root, 1 to 2 g, 3 times a day. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Echinacea Safety & Interaction Information Echinacea herb should not be used as an everyday tonic as its effectiveness will be increased if used ONLY when the body really needs it. This herb appears to be safe and non-toxic, even when taken in high doses; however, people who are allergic to ragweed or plants in the sunflower family should use Echinacea herb with caution. This herb should not be taken for prolonged periods of time by people with progressive disorders such as TB, leukosis, collagenosis, MS, AIDS, HIV infection, and autoimmune disease. Also worsening of metabolic profile in diabetics is reported with the use of Echinacea angustofolia. Echinacea herb should not be given to children younger than 2 years old without a physician’s approval. The safety for using Echinacea herb during pregnancy or while breast-feeding has not been established. If used beyond 8 weeks, Echinacea herb could cause hepatotoxicity and therefore should not be used in combination with other known hepatoxic drugs, as anabolic steroids, amiodarone, methotrexate, and ketoconazole. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - Buy Echinacea Supplements and Products Below