Echinacea is used as an herbal supplement to boost immunity against many infections such as flu, common cold and skin infections, etc. North America is the native place of this plant. There are nine different varieties of Echinacea with the same genus, but Echinacea purpurea or Echinacea Angustifolia are primarily used in dietary supplement preparation. [1] This plant belongs to the Asteraceae family and most widely cultivated for its application for herbal medicinal purpose. Not only North America, but Europe also cultivate and use this herb for therapeutic purposes. [2]
In traditional medicine, Echinacea is used to treat multiple disease conditions including abdominal pain, toothache, chronic arthritis, snake bite, seizure, skin disorders, and cancer. The laboratory-based research studies showed that the health benefits of Echinacea are obtained due to its immunomodulatory effect. [3]
The primary phytochemicals present in Echinacea include alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives, glycoproteins, and polysaccharides. The chemical composition of Echinacea is not the same for all the species or even plant parts. For example, both root and aerial part of E. purpurea and root of E. Angustifolia contain some specific phenolic compounds such as caftaric, cichoric, caffeic, chlorogenic acid, cynarin, and echinacoside. Echinacea species also contain essential oils, flavonoids, ketones, polyacetylenes, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. [4]
Echinacea is widely used as an herbal dietary supplement to support the immune functioning of the body. There are different dosage forms available as herbal formulations, which can be oral, topical or injection. However, the FDA has not approved Echinacea for medicinal purposes. In the USA, Echinacea injections are not available, but some of the European manufacturers formulate Echinacea injections. The dosage of different formulation of Echinacea preparation is not standardized, therefore, before taking these supplements it is recommended to consult with your general physicians. Echinacea formulations are available in health food stores, chemists or online health suppliers. Following are different dosage forms of Echinacea:
Echinacea is widely used for infection control, but this herb is also used for other therapeutic benefits. Following are some medicinal uses of Echinacea:
The broad-spectrum anti-microbial property of Echinacea species suitable to prevent and treat various infectious diseases such as upper and lower respiratory infections, pelvic organ infection and wound infections. Echinacea species also has potent anti-fungal activity and prevent skin infections. The antiviral effect of this herb also controls viral infections like flu, influenza, etc. The anti-microbial property of Echinacea species effective to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Legionella pneumophila, Haemophilus influenzae, etc. [3]
Echinacea extracts is an effective remedy for upper respiratory tract infections including “Colds”, “flu”, and “bronchitis” due to its anti-viral property. This herbal remedy can reduce the associated symptoms such as excess mucus production, sneezing, cough, stuffy nose, sore throat, sinusitis, malaise, irritation, fever, and other discomforts. The anti-inflammatory property of Echinacea extracts can also control the exacerbation of asthma and COPD. [2]
Echinacea extract has an inhibitory effect on the influenza A and influenza B virus as it blocks the receptor-binding activity of influenza A and thus restricts the entrance of the virus in the body tissue. [2]
A variety of skin infections like Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 cause recurrent painful skin eruption. Echinacea has strong antiviral activity and topical application of this herbal paste helps to prevent and treat skin infections that occur due to Herpes simplex viral attack. Both oral consumption and topical application of Echinacea species help to control acne due to both its anti-inflammatory properties and anti-microbial activity. [2]
Echinacea species is a safe herbal alternative to chemical containing mosquito replant. Alkamides has mosquitocidal activity against Aedes aegypti larvae. [3]
The cytotoxic property of Echinacea species can inhibit colon cancer growth and thus gives preventive effect against colon cancer. [3]
Some individuals show hypersensitive reactions with Echinacea species. They may have experienced gastrointestinal symptoms and skin rashes. The dose and duration of the herbal ingredient are very important. Excessive dose often leads to side effects. To avoid such a problem, some herbalists recommended Echinacea containing products should not be used continuously for more than eight weeks to avoid side effects. But research conducted in 2012 reported that Echinacea is safe to take for up to four months. [5]
Some identified side effects of Echinacea are, pain in the abdomen, nausea, breathing difficulty, angioedema, skin reactions such as pruritus, rash, erythema, and urticaria. Increase dose of Echinacea containing herbal products can cause male infertility by reducing the sperm motility, sperm penetration and also disrupt sperm DNA. [3]
Echinacea species containing herbal drugs are contra-indicated in some of the disease conditions due to their immunomodulatory properties. Patients who are suffering from tuberculosis, leukemia and leukemia-like diseases, collagen disorders, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases should not take Echinacea containing products.
Echinacea can inhibit certain liver and intestinal enzymes including cytochrome P450 1A2 and intestinal CYP3A4. Inhibition of these enzymes may interfere with the metabolism of other medications and cause contra-indication reactions. [3]