Suggested Dosing
Oral
Herb juice
- 6-9 ml PO daily OR
- 20 gtts PO q2hr x 24 hours then TID
Crude herb extract
- 2 tabs (6.78mg) PO TID
Echinacea pallida root tincture
- 900 mg PO daily
Herbal compound tea
- 5-6 cups PO on day 1, THEN
- Decrease by 1 cup/day over 5 days]
No more than 8 weeks continuous use
Topical
Apply to affected area
Suggested Uses
Common cold, herpes simplex infection (topical), immunostimulant, psoriasis (topical), upper respiratory tract infections (viral), urinary tract infections, vaginal candidiasis, skin wounds (topical), skin ulcers (topical)
Efficacy
Demonstrated effective in symptom reduction and prophylaxis of cold, flu, URI
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (1)
- beclomethasone, inhaled
echinacea decreases effects of beclomethasone, inhaled by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Monitor for reduced efficacy of immunosuppressant when used concomitantly.
Monitor Closely (34)
- adalimumab
adalimumab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- alefacept
alefacept increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- anakinra
anakinra increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- antithymocyte globulin equine
antithymocyte globulin equine increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- antithymocyte globulin rabbit
antithymocyte globulin rabbit increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- azathioprine
azathioprine increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- basiliximab
basiliximab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- canakinumab
canakinumab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- cyclosporine
cyclosporine increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- etanercept
etanercept increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- everolimus
everolimus increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- glatiramer
glatiramer increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- golimumab
golimumab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- hydroxychloroquine sulfate
hydroxychloroquine sulfate increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- hydroxyurea
echinacea decreases effects of hydroxyurea by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Echinacea may decrease therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.
- ifosfamide
echinacea decreases effects of ifosfamide by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Echinacea is reported possess immunostimulatory activity demonstrated by activation of macrophages (releasing interleukin-1), and proliferation of B-lymphocytes; theoretically, may oppose the therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.
- infliximab
infliximab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- leflunomide
leflunomide increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- lomustine
echinacea decreases effects of lomustine by immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Use Caution/Monitor. Echinacea is reported possess immunostimulatory activity demonstrated by activation of macrophages (releasing interleukin-1), and proliferation of B-lymphocytes; theoretically, may oppose the therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.
- mechlorethamine
echinacea decreases effects of mechlorethamine by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Echinacea is reported possess immunostimulatory activity demonstrated by activation of macrophages (releasing interleukin-1), and proliferation of B-lymphocytes; theoretically, may oppose the therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.
- melphalan
echinacea decreases effects of melphalan by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Echinacea is reported possess immunostimulatory activity demonstrated by activation of macrophages (releasing interleukin-1), and proliferation of B-lymphocytes; theoretically, may oppose the therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.
- mercaptopurine
mercaptopurine, echinacea. immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Use Caution/Monitor. Theoretically echinacea may antagonize the effects of immunosuppressants.
- methotrexate
methotrexate increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- muromonab CD3
muromonab CD3 increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- mycophenolate
mycophenolate increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- oxaliplatin
echinacea decreases effects of oxaliplatin by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Echinacea is reported possess immunostimulatory activity demonstrated by activation of macrophages (releasing interleukin-1), and proliferation of B-lymphocytes; theoretically, may oppose the therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.
- procarbazine
echinacea decreases effects of procarbazine by immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Echinacea is reported possess immunostimulatory activity demonstrated by activation of macrophages (releasing interleukin-1), and proliferation of B-lymphocytes; theoretically, may oppose the therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.
- rilonacept
rilonacept increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- sirolimus
sirolimus increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- tacrolimus
tacrolimus increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- temsirolimus
temsirolimus increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- tocilizumab
tocilizumab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor. .
- tongkat ali
tongkat ali increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- ustekinumab
ustekinumab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
Minor (2)
- astragalus
astragalus and echinacea both decrease immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- maitake
echinacea and maitake both decrease immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Minor/Significance Unknown.
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Abdominal pain
Allergic reactions
Altered fertility
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Erythema (topical use)
Exanthema (topical use)
Fever
Nausea/vomiting
Pruritis (topical use)
Sore throat
Unpleasant taste
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensivity to Asteraceae/Compositae plants, chrysanthemums, daisies, marigolds, ragweed
Autoimmune disorders, collagenosis/collagen disease, HIV/AIDS, leukosis, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis
Cautions
Atopic conditions, concurrent CYP 3A4 substrates, pregnancy
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: N/A
Lactation: N/A
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Echinacosides: stimulate T-lymphocyte and interferon production; inhibit hyaluronidase
Polysaccharides: Cytotoxic against tumor cells
Glycosides: Mild antibacterial