What is Echinacea? 

Echinacea is a type of perennial (related to sunflowers, daisies, and ragweed) that is thought to help fight the common cold. There are three main species of echinacea that are sold for medicinal use, these are:

• Echinacea purpurea (E. purpurea)

• Echinacea pallida (E. pallida)

• Echinacea angustifolia (E. angustifolia)

When you purchase a product that contains echinacea, it can contain different parts of the plant (root, herb, flower or whole plant) and each product can use different methods of extraction. 

Immunomodulation & Anti Inflammatory Effects

It is unclear how echinacea has an effect on the immune system and anti inflammation, but it is thought that alkamides, glycoproteins, polysaccharides and caffeic acid derivatives (CADs) can contribute to its effect. It is also thought that echinacea has antiviral properties, however the mechanism is also unclear. 

Does it work for the common cold in children? 

Echinaea has been shown to have little to no benefit in severity of symptoms, peak of symptom severity, number of days of fever, or parental/caregiver report of severity for colds. 

Is it safe for children? 

If used appropriately for short durations, echinacea is likely safe in children, but caution should be used due to risk of allergic reactions. Echinacea is related to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies. If your child is allergic to any of those plants, they may also be allergic to echinacea. 

In countries such as the United Kingdom, it is recommended that no child under 12 years of age take echinacea due to the risk of an allergic reaction. 

References

1. Karsch‐Völk, Marlies, et al. "Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2 (2014).

2. Linde, Klaus, et al. "Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 1 (2006).

3. Fashner, Julia, Kevin Ericson, and Sarah Werner. "Treatment of the common cold in children and adults." American family physician 86.2 (2012): 153-159.

4. Natural Medicines. (2023, December 23). Echinacea [monograph]. http://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com

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