Synopsis

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

Echinacea (mixed species, typically Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia) has a long history of traditional use by Native Americans for treating infections and wounds, and it later became popular in Western herbal medicine for supporting immune function. Scientific interest has focused on its potential to prevent or treat upper respiratory tract infections, including influenza. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have investigated Echinacea’s effects on the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms. Results are mixed: some studies suggest modest benefits in reducing the duration and intensity of symptoms, while others find no significant effect compared to placebo. A 2014 Cochrane review concluded that Echinacea products might have a “weak benefit” in preventing or treating colds, but the evidence was not consistent or robust, and influenza-specific data are limited. Methodological differences, variation in Echinacea species and preparations, and small sample sizes contribute to the inconsistency of findings. Overall, while Echinacea is widely used for immune support and has some scientific data suggesting minor benefits for respiratory infections, strong scientific validation for its use specifically against influenza is lacking. The evidence currently supports, at best, a modest effect, leading to a low-to-moderate evidence rating.

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