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Echinacea

Source

The species of Echinacea used at Mymmunity provides a potent 4% echinacosides and is derived from the root of the plant.

Chemical Name

American Cone Flower

Immune support

The immunostimulatory properties of echinacea appear to target both nonspecific and specific immune function. Nonspecific effects include increases in macrophage proliferation and phagocytosis, as well as secretion of interferon beta-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Constituents of echinacea thought to be involved in stimulating nonspecific immune responses include high-molecular weight polysaccharides such as heteroxylan and arabinogalactan, and lower molecular weight compounds including alkylamides, and caffeoyl conjugates such as chicoric acid and echinacosides.

Other uses

Common cold. Taking echinacea by mouth while still healthy may help prevent colds. But the benefit is probably small. Taking echinacea after catching a cold doesn't seem to have much benefit.

How it works

Echinacea seems to activate chemicals in the body that decrease inflammation, which might reduce cold and flu symptoms.

Laboratory research suggests that echinacea can stimulate the body's immune system, but there is no evidence that this occurs in people.

Echinacea also seems to contain some chemicals that can attack yeast and other kinds of fungi directly.

Safety

When taken by mouth: Echinacea is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in the short-term. Various liquid and solid forms of Echinacea have been used safely for up to 10 days. There are also some products, such as Echinaforce (A. Vogel Bioforce AG) that have been used safely for up to 6 months.

Some side effects have been reported such as fever, nausea, vomiting, bad taste, stomach pain, diarrhea, sore throat, dry mouth, headache, numbness of the tongue, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, a disoriented feeling, and joint and muscle aches. In rare cases, echinacea has been reported to cause inflammation of the liver.

When applied to the skin: Echinacea is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin, short-term. A cream (Linola Plus Cream) containing echinacea has been used safely for up to 12 weeks. In some people, applying echinacea to the skin may cause redness, itchiness, or a rash.

Echinacea is most likely to cause allergic reactions in children and adults who are allergic to ragweed, mums, marigolds, or daisies. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking echinacea.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Children: Echinacea is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in the short-term. It seems to be safe in most children ages 2-11 years. However, about 7% of these children may experience a rash that could be due to an allergic reaction. There is some concern that allergic reactions to echinacea could be more severe in some children. For this reason, some regulatory organizations have recommended against giving echinacea to children under 12 years of age.

Pregnancy: Echinacea is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in the short-term. There is some evidence that echinacea might be safe when taken during the first trimester of pregnancy without harming the fetus. But until this is confirmed by additional research, it is best to stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Breast feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking echinacea if you are breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

An inherited tendency toward allergies (atopy): People with this condition are more likely to develop an allergic reaction to echinacea. It's best to avoid exposure to echinacea if you have this condition.

"Auto-immune disorders" such as such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a skin disorder called pemphigus vulgaris, or others: Echinacea might have an effect on the immune system that could make these conditions worse. Don't take echinacea if you have an auto-immune disorder.


Interactions with medications

Caffeine

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Echinacea might decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking echinacea along with caffeine might cause too much caffeine in the bloodstream and increase the risk of side effects. Common side effects include jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

Darunavir (Prezista)

Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

The body breaks down darunavir (Prezista) to get rid of it. Echinacea might affect how quickly the body breaks down darunavir (Prezista). Taking echinacea along with darunavir (Prezista) might increase the risk of side effects or decrease the effects of darunavir (Prezista). However, this has not been observed in humans.

Docetaxel (Taxotere)

Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

The body breaks down docetaxel (Taxotere) to get rid of it. Echinacea might affect how quickly the body breaks down docetaxel (Taxotere). Taking echinacea along with docetaxel (Taxotere) might increase the risk of side effects or decrease the effects of docetaxel (Taxotere). However, this has not been observed in humans.

Etoposide (VePesid)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Etoposide (VePesid) is changed and broken down by the body. Echinacea might decrease how quickly the body breaks down etoposide (VePesid). Taking echinacea along with etoposide might increase the side effects of etoposide. Before taking echinacea, talk to your healthcare provider.

Etravirine (Intelence)

Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Etravirine (Intelence) is changed and broken down by the body. Echinacea might affect how quickly the body breaks down etravirine (Intelence). Taking echinacea along with etravirine (Intelence) might increase the side effects or decrease the effects of etravirine (Intelence). But this has not been seen in humans.

Lopinavir / Ritonavir (Kaletra)

Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Lopinavir / ritonavir (Kaletra) is changed and broken down by the body. Echinacea might affect how quickly the body breaks down lopinavir / ritonavir (Kaletra). Taking echinacea along with lopinavir / ritonavir (Kaletra) might increase the side effects or decrease the effects of lopinavir / ritonavir (Kaletra). But this has not been seen in humans.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Echinacea might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking echinacea along with some medications might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking echinacea, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.

Some of the medications that are changed by the liver include clozapine (Clozaril), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), fluvoxamine (Luvox), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), mexiletine (Mexitil), olanzapine (Zyprexa), pentazocine (Talwin), propranolol (Inderal), tacrine (Cognex), theophylline, zileuton (Zyflo), zolmitriptan (Zomig), and others.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the body. Echinacea might affect how the body breaks down these medications. In some cases, taking echinacea along with these medications might increase the effects and side effects of the medications. In other cases, taking echinacea along with these medications might decrease the effects and side effects of the medications. Before taking echinacea, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the body.

Some medications changed by the body include lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), diltiazem (Cardizem), estrogens, indinavir (Crixivan), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.

Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Echinacea can increase the activity of the immune system. Taking echinacea along with some medications that decrease the immune system might decrease how well these medications work.

Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.

Midazolam (Versed)

Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Midazolam (Versed) is changed and broken down by the body. Echinacea seems to affect how quickly the body breaks down midazolam (Versed). Taking midazolam (Versed) with echinacea might increase the side effects or decrease the effects of midazolam (Versed). More information is needed to know the effects of echinacea on midazolam (Versed).

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Warfarin (Coumadin) is used to slow blood clotting. The body breaks down warfarin (Coumadin) to get rid of it. Echinacea might increase the breakdown of warfarin and decrease how well warfarin can work. This might increase your risk of having a clot. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin (Coumadin) might need to be changed.


Interactions with Herbs, Supplements, and Foods

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

There are no known interactions with foods. 


References

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