Evidence supporting the use of: Echinacea (mixed)
For the health condition: Colds (prevention)

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

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Echinacea (particularly mixed species preparations, such as Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia) has a long history of traditional use by Native American tribes for treating various infections and wounds. In modern times, Echinacea has become popular as an over-the-counter supplement for the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Scientific research on Echinacea for cold prevention has produced mixed results. Some randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest a modest reduction in the risk of developing a cold and a slight shortening of cold duration when Echinacea is used, especially at the onset of symptoms. However, other well-designed studies have found little to no benefit compared to placebo.

The variability in study outcomes may be due to differences in the Echinacea species used, plant parts (root vs. aerial), extraction methods, dosages, and study populations. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (e.g., Cochrane Reviews) generally conclude that Echinacea may offer a small benefit in cold prevention, but the evidence is inconsistent and not robust. The overall quality of evidence is considered low to moderate, with methodological limitations and potential publication bias. Therefore, while there is some scientific support for the use of Echinacea in cold prevention, its clinical significance is debated, and it is not universally recommended by health authorities.

More about Echinacea (mixed)
More about Colds (prevention)

Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)

Allspice
Aloe vera
green chiretta
anthocyanins
arabinogalactan
astragalus
waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
berry flavor
beta-pinene
Beta-Glucan
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black tea
blackberry
bасора
camu camu
capsaicinoids
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
chlorella
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut milk
colostrum
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
lactobacillus brevis
lemon
licorice root
lovage
marshmallow
moringa
mustard seed
nettle
spruce
orange
oregano
oregon grape
pear
phenolic compounds
pineapple
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
pumpkin
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
vitamin D
seaweed
yeast
zinc
sarsaparilla
squawvine
tangerine
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
peony
buckthorn
lemongrass
yerba santa
chrysanthemum
siler root
flowering quince
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
goji berry
paw paw
Algae
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
Aralia
Avens
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Ardisia
Acacia
Allicin
Abrus
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Ajuga
Andrographolide
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
Allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Blackthorn
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Black galingale
Bitter Grass
Bael
berry
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bioflavonoids
black salt
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bassia scoparia
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Cinnamomum
Coriander
Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Capsaicin
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Cowherb
Cistus
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Celosia
Currant
Dianthus
Dragonhead
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
European Elder
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
European-Five Finger Grass
Fruit
Flavonoids
Fungus
Flavoglycosides
Goldthread
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Garlic
Gallesia
Glechoma hederacea
Galactooligosaccharides
Honey
Heal-All
Hedyotis
Honey loquat syrup
Herb Robert
Horsemint
iridoids
Isatis
Ilex
Kokilaksha
Lime
Lebbek
Litsea
Lomatium
Laggera pterodonta
Luffa
Ligustrum
Lodhtree
Labrador Tea
Ligusticum
Mandarin
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Melia
Monoterpenes
Mace
Meadow sage
Marigold
Mushroom
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxystelma
Phenylpropanoids
Prunus
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Pelargonium
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Physalis angulata
Petiveria
Rubiaceae
Rooibos
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sambucus nigra
Sagebrush
Shogaol
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
saponins
Sumac
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tulbaghia
Thiosulfinate
Tremella
Umckaloabo
Vervain
Viola
White Tea
Water Pepper
Wulinshen
Winter Savory
Yerba buena
Zingiberene
Zingerone

Products containing Echinacea (mixed)

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