Diet & NutritionNutrients & Supplements
Explore This Topic

Echinacea: Potential Benefits, Known Risks, and More

Echinacea: Potential Benefits, Known Risks, and More
Adobe Stock
By
Updated on June 27, 2025
by

Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness. Talk to a healthcare professional about whether a supplement is the right fit for your individual health, and about any potential drug interactions or safety concerns.

Echinacea, a native North American plant also known as coneflower or purple coneflower, has long been used medicinally by Native Americans.

 Supplements often contain parts from one or more species, with the three most common species being Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida.

While Native Americans have used echinacea as a cure-all, clinical research to date is mixed on how effective it is in treating or preventing colds, the flu, and respiratory tract infections.

 The European Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products has also noted that though there are limited studies proving the herb’s efficacy, there is enough traditional use of echinacea to suggest that it may be effective in preventing colds, treating colds, and treating small wounds.

Potential Health Benefits of Echinacea

Even though there is a lengthy history of echinacea’s medicinal uses, there isn’t a sizable stack of high-quality studies backing these claims. Echinacea remains a popular supplement, even without conclusive evidence, partly because of its long-standing use.

The aforementioned Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products in Europe, for instance, approved echinacea to prevent and treat the common cold based on its “well-established use” in this regard in the absence of definite evidence.

“All studies on echinacea have mixed results,” explains Julie Stefanski, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in Baltimore. She explains that supplements aren’t standardized, so the amount of active ingredient in each dose may be different from one brand to the next.

May Treat and Prevent Colds

After reviewing six eligible studies, one meta-analysis found that echinacea can shorten the length of a cold (by as much as five days, according to one study). The same meta-analysis did not find that echinacea was effective in preventing a cold or minimizing its severity.

“Studies have shown that echinacea can reduce the risk of getting a cold and decrease how long a cold lasts,” says Stefanski. But not everyone will see the same results. “The response to using echinacea to reduce cold symptoms may vary based on the potency of the product used and individual responses of people’s immune systems," she notes.

May Prevent Respiratory Tract Infections

Echinacea lowered the duration of symptoms of respiratory tract infections (which include the common cold and flu) in adults who were given higher-than-normal doses of echinacea, according to a recent study.

“While this study supports that echinacea may help to reduce the duration of respiratory tract infections, the amount of echinacea used was much higher than what is typically found in over-the-counter products and needs further research to determine an ideal amount of echinacea extract,” notes Stefanski.

May Limit COVID-19 Infections

Evidence of echinacea’s effect on COVID-19 is still very limited, though one previous study showed that a specific dosage of Echinacea purpurea can have an effect in preventing respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19. The study also suggested that echinacea might reduce viral load.

“While the amount of research on echinacea and COVID-19 has increased, the common mutations that the corona-type virus has undergone make it difficult to produce consistent research results,” Stefanski says.

Regarding research suggesting that echinacea may help with COVID-19 infections, Stefanski says that “while these outcomes are promising, they are still very limited in the number of people studied and long-term use of supplementation is still unknown.” More research is needed to determine echinacea’s possible benefits with different COVID-19 mutations.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Echinacea

While using echinacea as a short-term measure to prevent or lessen cold symptoms has been studied, Stefanski says that long-term use of the plant, especially at high doses, has not been sufficiently studied.

This means that while the existing data suggests echinacea may act on the immune system in the short term, the long-term immune benefits aren’t really known (for instance, for helping with autoimmune conditions). “The concerns of how echinacea interacts with the immune system long-term is why it is not recommended to continually take echinacea on a long-term basis,” Stefanski explains.

It’s also important to keep in mind that the FDA hasn’t approved echinacea for any specific health claims.

“Individuals who decide to try echinacea should discuss the use with their primary care provider for several reasons,” cautions Stefanski. “Some medications that are metabolized primarily by the liver may be impacted by taking echinacea and some people may have an allergic reaction to the substances that are derived from the echinacea plant.”

Risks

Echinacea may be risky for people with autoimmune issues, according to the limited research done in this area. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that people with multiple sclerosis avoid echinacea, as its potential to boost immunity may cause problems for an already overstimulated immune system.

Another study showed that echinacea could worsen some autoimmune diseases that affect the skin, or cause flares after a long dormant period.

“The only current treatment for autoimmune disease is suppressing the same actions of the immune system that echinacea is suspected to activate,” Stefanski says. She notes that people with an autoimmune disease “are not good candidates for taking echinacea.”

Echinacea is not recommended during breastfeeding, as there is not enough research to prove whether it’s safe, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). The NCCIH also cautions that echinacea may interact with immunosuppressants, caffeine, and medications that are metabolized by the liver.

People who are allergic to related plants — such as daisies, ragweed, marigolds, or chrysanthemums — may have a higher risk of an echinacea allergy, according to a past article published in American Family Physician.

 An allergic reaction can also make asthma symptoms worse.

Side Effects

Some of the side effects associated with echinacea supplements include:

  • Abdominal pain or stomach pain
  • Nausea
  • Rash from an allergic reaction

“Some individuals can have an allergic reaction to the plant and develop a rash after taking echinacea,” says Stefanski.

Forms of Echinacea

Echinacea can be found in a variety of forms: Pills, drops, and teas are all available over the counter. Research is limited when it comes to which form is the most effective, though one study reported that adults with acute respiratory tract infections benefited more when taking echinacea in the form of a lozenge or nasal spray rather than a tablet or drop.

How to Select Echinacea

In the United States, the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements’ efficacy, and the quality and potency of echinacea supplements range widely from one product to the next. It can be hard to decipher supplement labels and tell which are quality products. In fact, independent research from ConsumerLab.com in 2021 showed that one-third of the echinacea products tested contained less echinacea than their labels claimed.

 Researchers have also noted that inconsistencies in different species, different parts of the plant, and even in growing conditions may have an impact on its efficacy.

Because of these inconsistencies, it’s important to look for high marks from certifying bodies such as NSF International, U.S. Pharmacopeia, or ConsumerLab.com to find a high-quality supplement. Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian to decide if you should take echinacea, and if so, which supplement you should take.

Dosage of Echinacea

The NCCIH doesn’t provide a dosage recommendation for echinacea. If you’re interested in the supplement, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it. They can give you recommendations about brands, types, and how much to take and for how long.

The Takeaway

  • Echinacea has a reputation for being an immunity-boosting herbal supplement, and there is some evidence to support claims that it may be beneficial if you have a cold or other respiratory illness.
  • Research doesn’t conclusively link echinacea to most of its touted health benefits, and some studies that show a benefit are funded by those in the supplement industry. Still, because it has been in use for a lengthy amount of time, many health organizations recommend echinacea.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to discuss whether you should start taking echinacea — and if so, what kind, how much, and for how long.

Common Questions & Answers

What does echinacea do for your body?
Echinacea may lower your chances of getting a cold very slightly. There is not enough research to show if it’s helpful in other ways.
Evidence is very limited, but one study found that a specific dosage of Echinacea purpurea can have an effect in preventing respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19.
People with autoimmune disorders and those who are nursing should not take echinacea. You shouldn’t take echinacea if you’re allergic to it or other plants in the same family, such as daisies or marigolds.
Short-term use of echinacea is all right, but its long-term use at high doses has not been studied extensively.
Possibly. In Europe, echinacea is approved for use in wound care. However, prolonged exposure to echinacea on your skin can lead to a rash.
With additional reporting by Sarah Shelton.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Echinacea. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. November 2024.
  2. Dietary Supplements for Immune Function and Infectious Diseases. National Institutes of Health. March 10, 2025.
  3. Echinaceae purpureae herba - herbal medicinal product. European Medicines Agency. December 11, 2025.
  4. Crawford C et al. Select Dietary Supplement Ingredients for Preserving and Protecting the Immune System in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. November 1, 2022.
  5. Sumer J et al. Novel Echinacea Formulations for the Treatment of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults—A Randomized Blinded Controlled Trial . Frontiers in Medicine. April 17, 2023.
  6. Kolev E et al. Echinacea Purpurea For the Long-Term Prevention of Viral Respiratory Tract Infections During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Randomized, Open, Controlled, Exploratory Clinical Study. Frontiers in Pharmacology. April 26, 2022.
  7. Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements. National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
  8. Chakka S et al. The effects of immunostimulatory herbal supplements on autoimmune skin diseases. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. June 15, 2020.
  9. Echinacea: What Should I Know About It? American Family Physician. 2003.
  10. Sumer J et al. Novel Echinacea formulations for the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections in adults—A randomized blinded controlled trial. Frontiers in Medicine. April 17, 2023.
  11. One-Third of Echinacea Supplements Fail ConsumerLab Tests. ConsumerLab.com. February 6, 2021.
  12. Haron MH et al. Plant microbiome-dependent immune enhancing action of Echinacea purpurea is enhanced by soil organic matter content. Scientific Reports. January 15, 2019.
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
Justin Laube, MD

Justin Laube, MD

Medical Reviewer

Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, and trauma healing.

He graduated with a bachelor's in biology from the University of Wisconsin and a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. During medical school, he completed a graduate certificate in integrative therapies and healing practices through the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. He completed his three-year residency training in internal medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles on the primary care track and a two-year fellowship in integrative East-West primary care at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine.

He is currently taking a multiyear personal and professional sabbatical to explore the relationship between childhood trauma, disease, and the processes of healing. He is developing a clinical practice for patients with complex trauma, as well as for others going through significant life transitions. He is working on a book distilling the insights from his sabbatical, teaching, and leading retreats on trauma, integrative health, mindfulness, and well-being for health professionals, students, and the community.

Previously, Dr. Laube was an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he provided primary care and integrative East-West medical consultations. As part of the faculty, he completed a medical education fellowship and received a certificate in innovation in curriculum design and evaluation. He was the fellowship director at the Center for East-West Medicine and led courses for physician fellows, residents, and medical students.

See full bio
lindsey-wahowiak-bio

Lindsey Wahowiak

Author

Lindsey Wahowiak is a full-time public health professional and longtime health journalist. Her work has appeared in The Nation's Health, Diabetes Forecast, The Diabetes Educator, the Associated Press, xoJane.com, among other publications. She's contributed to books from the American Public Health Association and American Diabetes Association.

When she's not writing, Wahowiak volunteers with her local abortion fund and sits on the board of directors of Girls Rock! DC. In past lives, she's been a fitness instructor and Model T driver. She lives in Washington, D.C.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network