Evidence supporting the use of: Echinacea (mixed)
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Echinacea (mixed species, most commonly Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida) has a long history of traditional use among Native American tribes and in Western herbal medicine for respiratory ailments, including bronchial congestion. Traditionally, Echinacea preparations were employed to support the immune system and as a remedy for symptoms of colds, flu, and upper respiratory tract infections, which commonly include congestion. However, most traditional use focused on general immune support and the reduction of infection severity rather than specifically targeting bronchial congestion.
Scientific evidence for Echinacea's effectiveness in treating bronchial congestion is limited and inconclusive. While some studies suggest that Echinacea may modestly reduce the duration or severity of cold symptoms, meta-analyses and systematic reviews generally do not support a robust benefit for respiratory congestion specifically. The mechanism proposed is immunomodulatory rather than direct decongestant or expectorant effects. Therefore, while use for bronchial congestion is rooted in traditional practice, scientific validation for this specific indication is weak, and clinical guidelines do not generally recommend Echinacea for bronchial congestion.
More about Echinacea (mixed)
More about Congestion (bronchial)
Other ingredients used for Congestion (bronchial)
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
waterhyssop
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ethanol
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
yellow root
squawvine
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
lingusticum wallichii
buckthorn
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
siler root
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
soursop
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Black spruce
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Black galingale
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bael
berry
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Bupleurum
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Curcuma
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
Galangal
Ivy
Mustard
Mallow
Sandalwood
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Echinacea (mixed)
AbscessesAntibiotics (alternatives to)
Bites and Stings
Blood Poisoning
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Canker Sores
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Cuts
Fever
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Influenza
Injuries
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Pain (general remedies for)
Pneumonia
Poison Ivy or Oak