Evidence supporting the use of: Echinacea angustifolia
For the health condition: Cold Sores

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Echinacea angustifolia has a long history of traditional use by Native American tribes and herbalists for a variety of infections and immune-related conditions, including those involving the skin and mucous membranes. Its use for cold sores (herpes simplex virus infections) is primarily rooted in this traditional context, where Echinacea was thought to support the body’s natural defenses and promote healing. However, scientific studies specifically examining Echinacea angustifolia’s effectiveness against cold sores are sparse and inconclusive. Most modern research on Echinacea focuses on its potential benefits for the common cold, and even these results are mixed and more frequently involve other species such as Echinacea purpurea.

In summary, while Echinacea angustifolia is sometimes used in traditional herbal practice for skin eruptions and infections—including cold sores—there is minimal direct scientific evidence to validate its efficacy for this specific condition. Therefore, the strength of evidence supporting its use for cold sores is low, and its application is primarily justified by tradition rather than robust scientific validation.

More about Echinacea angustifolia
More about Cold Sores

Products containing Echinacea angustifolia

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.