10 Reasons to Stock up on Echinacea

Echinacea is a well-known herb for targeting colds. Extracts of echinacea have demonstrated a positive effect on the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells, which fight infections. In a 2014 review of 24 studies involving more than 4,500 subjects, echinacea was found to help in preventing colds.

In 2012, echinacea was put to the test by the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University, UK. The researchers conducted a large clinical trial of echinacea, involving 755 participants: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study titled “Safety and Efficacy Profile of Echinaforce for Long-term Prevention of Colds and Flu.” The participants took echinacea extract for four months, and the product was found to be safe.

Not only did the Cardiff University researchers find the echinacea extract to be safe, but they also found that it led to significantly fewer sick days for the participants who took echinacea. It also inhibited colds and prevented viral infections.

While we know this technically shouldn’t be a deciding factor in what we choose, we all know that it really is. No one wants to take something that tastes awful. Luckily, the Cardiff University study participants were very “compliant” with the “protocol.” In non-science speak: They didn’t have concerns about the taste.

“What is a standardized extract, and why does it matter?” you may ask. It actually matters quite a lot. There are so many factors that go into herbal remedies that many of us never think of: Are the herbs dried or fresh? How are the plants grown? How are they stored, and for how long? How much leaf is in the product, and how much flower petal? All of these factors can affect potency and effectiveness—a key reason that research provides inconclusive or contradictory results.

By choosing a standardized echinacea extract, you know that what you’re taking is consistent, effective, and proven.

A specialized echinacea extract may have the ability to calm the nerves and relieve anxiety. The echinacea extract (EP107™) has shown promise in studies for anxiety relief, suggesting a relaxing effect in the brain similar to Valium or Librium—but potentially without their pharmacological side effects.

People with anxiety used this specialized echinacea extract for one week and evaluated their anxiety before, during, and after using the product. Self-reported anxiety levels were significantly lower after three days and the effects remained stable for the duration of the seven-day trial as well as for two weeks following treatment.

A 2015 study compared oseltamivir (Tamiflu), an antiviral prescription medication, to a product containing a fresh herbal preparation of echinacea for complication risk, safety, and side effects.

The echinacea product was as effective as Tamiflu in every category. Plus, the echinacea option offered the additional benefit of a reduced risk of complications and adverse events. Its availability as an over-the-counter medicine makes it an optimal treatment for influenza at the earliest onset of symptoms—a key factor when treating viral infections.

A 2016 study found that children’s guts can take at least a year to recover from one course of antibiotics. Fortunately, there are natural remedies like echinacea that focus on prevention.

A recent clinical study involved 203 children aged four to 12 years. Researchers demonstrated that the use of a specific type of echinacea was effective in preventing respiratory infections and reducing the risk of complications (sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia). Most importantly, those patients who received echinacea tablets had a significantly reduced need for antibiotics.

Echinacea, native to North America, was widely used by Indigenous people in their traditional medicines. In fact, it’s been used for more than 400 years to treat infections and wounds. At the dawn of the 20th century in the US, echinacea became the most-used plant preparation. Its popularity continues to grow these days, with demand for the herb spiking in 2020.

Remember—not all forms of echinacea are equally effective. Look for a standardized extract with fresh Echinacea purpurea, which has been shown in studies to be 10 times more effective than one made using the dried herb.

The part of the plant used also plays a key role in its effectiveness. In the case of Echinacea purpurea, the most potent antiviral activity comes from the fresh flowers, leaves, and stems, while the root extract demonstrates anti-inflammatory action. Choose a preparation that uses both aerial and root components for best results. Make sure to consult your health care practitioner before trying out a new supplement.