Evidence supporting the use of: Echinacea angustifolia
For the health condition: Herpes

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Synopsis

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

Echinacea angustifolia has been traditionally used by Native American tribes and in Western herbal medicine to support immune health and treat various infections, including those caused by viruses such as herpes simplex. The rationale for its use in herpes is primarily based on its reputed immunomodulatory and antiviral properties, which were observed in traditional remedies for skin lesions and other infectious conditions. Historical texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries document the use of Echinacea species for “blood purification” and as an application for wounds and ulcers, some of which could have been herpes lesions.

However, while laboratory studies have shown that certain Echinacea extracts can stimulate immune cell activity and may have mild antiviral effects against some viruses, there is little direct evidence from controlled human studies to support its efficacy specifically for herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. Most clinical research with echinacea focuses on upper respiratory tract infections, not herpes. The majority of scientific validation is lacking, and any benefit for herpes derives from traditional use rather than strong clinical data. Thus, the evidence supporting its use for herpes is limited and rated as a 2 out of 5.

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