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Echinacea
by Jane Ellwood
Caution: You must contact your GP or suitably qualified Herbalist if you intend taking any form of herbal preparation. Articles published on this website are for information only.
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia), or coneflower
There are three varieties of Echinacea used for medicinal purposes, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea purpurea, and Echinacea pallida (although the purpurea and pallida variety are very similar). It is cultivated mostly in the USA and also in the UK. The dried root and the rhizomes are used for medicinal preparations.
Constituents: Echinacea contains echinacosides (angustifolia), alkaloids, polysaccharides and flavonoids. It is antimicrobial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, tonic, detoxicant, parasitic, a vasodilator, vulnerary, and lymphatic (Bartram 1995, p161). The British Herbal Compendium states that it is an immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and vulnerary (Bradley 1992, p81) While the medicinal action does not target specific viruses or bacteria, it activates the body's T-cells, an essential part of the immune response which makes it a very important herb preparation to treat some chronic illnesses including AIDS and other auto-immune disorders. It also inhibits the production of hyaluronidase, a chemical secreted by bacteria in order to break down the body's defences (Murray et al 1998, p160) making it particularly effective against general or non-specified bacterial infections. As it primarily works by stimulating the body's own defence mechanisms, it would be a good choice of herb for people who suffer from frequent minor illnesses such as stress-exacerbated infections like cold sores (herpes), ulcers or eczema which occur when the immune system is compromised.
Medicinal uses: As Echinacea needs a high dose over a prorogued period of time to be effective it would not be suitable to treat acute infections unless a general immunity to frequent infection was required. It can be used to treat streptococcal and staphylococcal infections, gastric and duodenal ulcers, candida, tongue, gum and mouth infections and tonsillitis, (Bartram 1995, p161), and can be used both internally and externally to treat skin infections including acne, boils, abscesses and eczema. While it has been used to treat chronic illness, auto-immune diseases and bacterial infections, it is most suitable at my level of practice to support the immune system in generally healthy people who may be susceptible to frequent minor infections such as colds, sore throats, and skin rashes. Used externally it can be used to promote healing through skin regeneration and has been used successfully to treat psoriasis (Leigh 2001 - no page).
Dosage: A high and continuous dose is required for a therapeutic effect: 1g dried root 3 x daily; Powder - 250mg x3 daily; Tincture - 1:5, 2-5ml x3 daily (Bartram 1995, p162). Some commercial preparations do not contain enough active extract to maintain the proper therapeutic dose.
Cautions and interactions: More than 8 weeks use could be hepatoxic; don't use with steroids, amiodarone, methotrexate, or ketoconazole. Echinacea can also alter bleeding time so should not be used with blood agents such as Wafarin or aspirin (Miller 1998, p2207). Because echinacea is immune-enhancing, it should not be used with immuno-supressant medication, as it will be opposing the desired effect. Echinacea is contraindicated with the drug Econazole (Integrated Medicine 2002a, no page no.), and also with certain immuno-suppressant medication (Integrated Medicine 2002b, no page no.).
Comments: While it is stated that a high continuous dose is required for the best therapeutic effect, hepatic toxicity is indicated if used for more than 8 weeks. Therefore I would not recommend using it with serious or chronic illness, hepatic disease, alcoholism, with regular paracetamol preparations or with other conventional medications that indicate hepatic toxicity (tranexamic acid, some anti-biotics and more powerful mood altering medications. I would always refer to a client's GP and to a more suitably qualified herbal practitioner if a serious or chronic illness were involved.
© Jane Ellwood 2002