Echinacea is a type of plant that has been used to treat cold symptoms and other immune system disorders, including some as serious as cancer; however, available research does not support the efficacy of this plant for any therapeutic application.

In this article we will analyze the uses, side effects and therapeutic efficacy of echinacea based on the studies that have been conducted on this natural remedy.

What is echinacea?

Plants of the genus Echinaceae are native to North America. Since ancient times they have been attributed with various healing properties; for example, the Pawnee Indians used echinacea for headaches and the Lakotah as a general analgesic, while the Kiowa and Cheyenne tribes used it for colds and sore throats.

There are nine species of plants that are categorized in the genus Echinaceae . The two most used as dietary supplements are Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia; we also find Echinacea pallida, paradoxa, simulata, atrorubens, laevigata, sanguinea and tennesseensis.

Oral consumption (mainly in the form of tea and juice) and the use of echinacea as a medicine are made from the preparation of its roots and flowers, or from extracts from other parts of its body. Sometimes the plant segments are left to dry, while in other cases they are used fresh and freshly extracted.

What is it used for?

Echinacea is currently used to treat different types of physical disorders. The most common applications of these plants include the treatment of the common cold, although other diverse properties have also been described. In this sense the echinacea is consumed as a nutritional supplement or it is applied on the skin in a topical format.

Thus, some echinacea medications are used to treat skin problems; it is common for this type of product to be applied to prevent infection in recent wounds, among other uses. Some have even claimed that echinacea can be used as a remedy for very serious immune disorders, particularly cancer .

The latter application is related to the belief that echinacea has stimulating effects on the immune system, making its activity more effective in fighting all types of infections, including those associated with colds and colds.

On the other hand, some echinacea species are also used with some frequency for decorative purposes, especially in gardens. Echinacea is also planted with the aim of rehabilitating damaged or impoverished natural areas, in particular meadows ; these are plants that reproduce quickly and have flowers that are very resistant to the climate and the seasons.

Does it really have therapeutic effects?

Most of the research on the effectiveness of echinacea as a medicine has been carried out in relation to its most common application: the treatment of the common cold. However, we still need more scientific studies to be able to reliably assess the possible therapeutic effects of echinacea on other disorders.

The results of the available studies reliably state that echinacea does not reduce the duration of cold symptoms once they have occurred . In this sense, the efficacy of echinacea in treating colds would be similar to that of placebo.

It is not clear at this time whether this plant can be useful in preventing colds; some research suggests that it may have this effect to some degree, although this has not been definitively proven. The possible active components and action of echinacea bacteria on the human immune system are currently being analyzed.

On the other hand, the British foundation Cancer Research UK stated in a 2012 study that there is no evidence of the effectiveness of echinacea in treating cancer . The same applies to the use of this plant to minimise the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Side effects and adverse reactions

The effects of products containing echinacea can vary significantly depending on different factors. Not only the species or part of the plant used is relevant, but also the other components that make up the product in question.

Research suggests that echinacea is fairly safe for most people in the short term, although its long-term effects have not been studied. When adverse reactions do occur, the most common ones affect the gastrointestinal system; for example, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain are relatively common.

In some cases, allergic reactions appear that can be very severe. This type of physiological response is more common in people who are predisposed to and have different allergies.

It should be noted that in many cases dietary supplements and remedies or medicines containing echinacea have not been manufactured in a regulated manner, and it is also very common that they have not been tested in humans before being marketed. Therefore, caution should be recommended when using products with echinacea .