Evidence supporting the use of: Echinacea (mixed)
For the health condition: Infection (viral)

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Synopsis

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

Echinacea (mixed species, 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 the prevention and treatment of infections, including those of viral origin such as the common cold. The traditional rationale centers around its purported ability to "boost" the immune system, increasing the body's resistance to pathogens. Historically, echinacea preparations were used for wounds, snakebites, and various infections prior to the advent of antibiotics.

Scientific evidence for echinacea's effectiveness against viral infections is mixed and generally modest. Some clinical trials and meta-analyses suggest a small reduction in duration and severity of cold symptoms when echinacea is taken at the onset of symptoms, but results are inconsistent and often limited by methodological flaws, variations in echinacea species and preparations, and small sample sizes. A 2014 Cochrane review concluded that echinacea products might have a slight beneficial effect on preventing or treating upper respiratory tract infections, but the effect was not robust and not all studies showed benefit. No high-quality evidence supports echinacea as a treatment for serious viral infections. Thus, while there is a strong tradition of its use for viral infections, scientific validation remains limited and inconclusive.

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