Echinacea refers to a collection of plants abundant in antioxidants that may help bolster the immune system. They come in multiple preparations, each with differing suggested doses.
Also known as purple coneflower, echinacea ranks among the most widely used herbal remedies worldwide.
Indigenous peoples in North America have relied on it for generations to address a variety of ailments (1).
Today, echinacea is primarily recognized as an over-the-counter herbal option for colds and flu, though it’s also applied for pain, inflammation, migraines, and other health concerns.
This article outlines the purported benefits, applications, adverse effects, and dosing of echinacea.
What is echinacea?
Echinacea is the collective name for a group of flowering plants in the daisy family.
They originate from North America, where they thrive in prairies and open woodlands.
There are nine species in this group overall, but only three are commonly used in supplements — Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida (1).
Both the aerial parts and the roots are employed to make tablets, tinctures, extracts, and teas.
Echinacea contains a broad array of bioactive constituents, including caffeic acid, alkamides, phenolic acids, rosmarinic acid, polyacetylenes, and others (2).
Research has linked echinacea and its components to multiple health effects, such as reduced inflammation, enhanced immune function, and improved blood sugar control.
Summary: Echinacea is a group of flowering plants used as a common herbal remedy. They’re associated with benefits like reduced inflammation, enhanced immunity, and potential improvements in blood sugar.
High in antioxidants
Echinacea species are rich in phytochemicals that act as antioxidants.
Antioxidants protect cells from oxidative stress, a condition associated with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease (3).
Notable antioxidants in echinacea include flavonoids, cichoric acid, and rosmarinic acid (2).
Extracts derived from the flowers and roots typically show higher antioxidant concentrations than other plant parts like leaves (1).
Additionally, echinacea contains alkamides, compounds that may further boost antioxidant effects (2, 4).
Summary: Echinacea is abundant in antioxidants such as flavonoids, cichoric acid, and rosmarinic acid, which might help protect the body from oxidative damage.
May offer several health benefits
Evidence indicates echinacea may provide a range of health advantages.
Positive effect on the immune system
Echinacea is most commonly valued for its potential immune-enhancing properties.
Older studies suggest this herb may help the immune system fight infections and viruses, possibly aiding quicker recovery from illness (5, 6, 7).
That’s why echinacea is frequently used to prevent or treat the common cold.
One review reported a 22% reduction in the risk of developing an upper respiratory tract infection with echinacea use, though it did not find a meaningful effect on illness duration (8).
However, a 2014 review noted many studies on this topic suffer from poor design and show no clear benefit, making it difficult to conclude whether observed effects are due to echinacea or chance (9).
In short, echinacea may support immune function, but its impact on the common cold remains uncertain.
May lower blood sugar levels
Elevated blood sugar increases the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
In vitro studies indicate echinacea extracts can help lower blood glucose.
For example, an Echinacea purpurea extract inhibited carbohydrate-digesting enzymes in a lab study, suggesting it could reduce the amount of sugar entering the bloodstream (10).
Animal studies also indicate echinacea’s antioxidants may improve glucose control and insulin sensitivity (11, 12).
Nevertheless, clinical trials in humans examining echinacea’s effects on blood sugar are limited.
May reduce feelings of anxiety
Anxiety affects a significant portion of adults; estimates suggest nearly 7% of U.S. adults experience it (13).
Recently, echinacea has been investigated as a possible aid for anxiety.
Some earlier research found echinacea contains constituents — including alkamides, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid — that may ease anxiety (14).
One trial reported that taking 40 mg of echinacea extract twice daily for 7 days significantly decreased anxiety versus placebo (15).
Another study found no anxiety reduction with 40 mg or 80 mg daily versus placebo, although participants showed improved positive and negative affect and overall emotional wellbeing (16).
Overall, evidence is limited and more research is required before recommending echinacea for anxiety.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation is a natural healing response, but chronic inflammation can contribute to disease (17).
Several studies suggest echinacea can reduce excessive inflammation.
In a mouse study, echinacea compounds lowered key inflammatory markers and reduced inflammation-induced memory impairment (18).
In a 30-day trial, adults with osteoarthritis who took a supplement containing ginger and echinacea extracts experienced significant reductions in inflammation, persistent pain, and swelling. These participants had not responded well to standard NSAIDs but showed improvement with the supplement (19).
A review of 105 studies found echinacea supplementation was associated with decreases in inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (20).
May help treat skin concerns
Evidence indicates echinacea may benefit certain skin issues.
In one trial, a supplement containing extracts from eggplant and echinacea improved mild-to-moderate acne versus placebo, although the specific contribution of echinacea is unclear (21).
A small 2010 study in 10 participants found skincare products with echinacea extract improved skin hydration and reduced wrinkles (22).
Likewise, a cream containing Echinacea purpurea extract was reported to ease eczema symptoms and help restore the skin’s thin protective outer layer (23).
However, echinacea extract has a limited shelf life, which can complicate its inclusion in commercial skincare formulations.
May offer protection against cancer
Cancer involves uncontrolled cell growth.
Laboratory studies have shown echinacea extracts may inhibit cancer cell proliferation and even induce cancer cell death (24, 25).
In a 2012 in vitro study, an extract of Echinacea purpurea and chicoric acid (a natural compound in echinacea) induced cancer cell death (26).
Earlier lab research showed extracts from Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida prompted apoptosis (programmed cell death) in human pancreatic and colon cancer cells (27).
This effect is thought to be linked to echinacea’s immune-modulating actions (28).
Some earlier concerns suggested echinacea might interfere with chemotherapy agents like doxorubicin, but older studies detected no interaction (29, 30).
Still, more contemporary human trials are necessary before any firm recommendations can be made.
Summary: Echinacea has been associated with benefits for immunity, blood sugar, anxiety, inflammation, and skin health, and it may possess anti-cancer activity. However, clinical evidence in humans is often limited.
Potential side effects
Short-term use of echinacea is generally considered safe and well tolerated (31, 32).
Although commonly used briefly, some research also suggests echinacea may be safe for longer-term use (31).
Reported side effects are generally mild and include minor digestive upset and skin rashes (33).
Rarely, allergic reactions can occur, causing symptoms like hives, swelling, or anaphylaxis (33).
Because echinacea may stimulate the immune system, individuals with autoimmune diseases or those taking immunosuppressant medications should avoid it or consult a healthcare professional first (31).
Summary: Echinacea is typically safe for short- and long-term use, but people with certain medical conditions or on specific drugs should exercise caution.
Dosage recommendations
There is no universally accepted dosage for echinacea.
Research findings vary greatly, and product formulations differ, which complicates standard dosing recommendations.
Moreover, product quality can be inconsistent; one older investigation found about 10% of echinacea samples contained no echinacea at all (34).
Therefore, buying echinacea from reputable manufacturers is important.
That said, earlier studies have suggested the following doses may help support immunity (35):
- Dry powdered extract: 300–500 mg of Echinacea purpurea, three times per day
- Liquid extracts/tinctures: 2.5 milliliters (mL) three times daily, up to 10 mL per day
Keep in mind these guidelines are intended for short-term use.
Always follow the directions on your specific product’s label.
Summary: Echinacea supplements vary widely, making standard dosing difficult. Recommended amounts depend on the preparation you’re using.
The bottom line
Echinacea has been linked with improvements in immune function, blood sugar regulation, anxiety, inflammation, and skin health, and it may have anti-cancer potential. Still, clinical research in humans is often limited.
It’s generally regarded as safe and well tolerated for both short- and long-term use.
Suggested dosages differ by echinacea form.
Although commonly taken for the common cold, evidence is mixed. Some studies show reduced risk of respiratory infections or symptom relief, while others are poorly designed or show no benefit.
Despite mixed findings, few other products offer similar potential immune-enhancing effects, so trying echinacea may be worthwhile for some people.
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