Echinacea

American Coneflower; Black Sampson; Comb Flower; Echinacea angustifolia; Echinacea pallida; Echinacea purpurea; Hedgehog; Indian Head; Purple Coneflower; Rudbeckia; Sampson Head; Scurvy Root; Snakeroot

... Echinacea acts as a stimulant to the immune system by several methods which include increasing the production of specific types of white blood cells and strengthening human cell walls so bacteria and viruses have a harder time getting into cells. It is probably best known as a preventative and treatment for upper respiratory infections, such as colds and the flu. A number of human studies have been conducted to evaluate echinacea’s effectiveness for these conditions, but they are inconsistent – with some finding significant antiviral effects and others finding no differences between echinacea and placebo (inactive sugar pills). Additionally, study results are difficult to compare because the studies used a wide range of products, strengths, doses, and treatment methods. In general, however, when they are taken as soon as symptoms begin, echinacea products may reduce the length of time that cold or flu symptoms last, Taking echinacea may also lessen the severity of upper respiratory viral infections, but it does not seem to prevent them. ...

This article is about the flowering plant. For Superorder Echinacea (Echino ...