Echinacea angustifolia and E. purpurea, E. pallida (Wild)  Echinacea, Cone Flower, Black Sampson, Rudbeckia   Family: Asteraceae     
PART USED: Whole plant. Underground parts most valuable.
TASTE: Slightly sweet, then bitter, leaving a tingling sensation on the tongue. ODOR: Faintly aromatic
ACTIONS
GROUP: Herbs Influencing Infection.
1. Anti Viral.[4] Antibacterial.[4]
2. Alterative.[4] Vulnerary.[4]
3. Antiseptic.[1,2]
4. Leukocyte activator.
5. Peripheral vasodilator.[1,2]
6. Nyaluronidase inactivator.
INDICATIONS-
1. Upper respiratory infections; naso-pharyngeal catarrh.[1,2] Tonsillitis.[1,2,4] (local use also). Pharyngitis.[4]
2. Skin diseases; boils, abcesses, tropical ulcers, erysipelas.[4] Carbuncles. Septicaemia.[4] Aid wound healing generally.[4]
3. Salpingitis, puerperal infections (any bacterial infection of the female reproductive tract following childbirth or miscarriage).
4. Pyorrhea.[1,2] (local use also).
5. Syphilis and other chronic infections
6. All acute septic conditions including septicemia and peritonitis
7. Febrile conditions including diphtheria and childhood diseases.
External application; poultice for skin diseases.[4]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Echinacea may not be advisable during leukemia or glandular fever.[2]
COMBINATIONS
- Boils- use with Burdock root and/or Iris.
- Pharyngitis or tonsillitis- use with Baptisia and Commiphora resin.
PREPARATIONS
Dried underground parts 1 g,[1,2] or by infusion or decoction.
Fluid extract whole plant 1:1  in 45% alcohol.[3]  0.25-1 ml. 2-4 ml.[4]
Fluid extract root 1:1 45% alcohol.[3]
Tincture 1:5 in 45% alcohol  1-2 ml.[1,2]
          
ORIGIN: Northern USA, culivated in Europe
DESCRIPTION: The dried rhizome is greyish-borwn, often twisted, longitudinally furrowed, up to about 1 cm in diameter. The transverse section shows a thin bark, and a yellowish porous wood flecked with black.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research
Drug interactions- Immunosuprressant medication- may decrease the effectiveness. Use with caution.
The antibacterial and antiviral effects are well documented in vitro and clinically.[1,2,3,4]
One of the most important actions of Echinacea is its ability to stimulate the immune system. This property has been shown by total exracts and by the polysaccharide fraction in a number of in vivo and in vitro tests, including the stimulation of phagocytosis, and also clinically.[4,5] The polysaccharide fraction activates macrophages, causing an increase in secretion of free radicals and interleukin I, possibly explaining its activity against infections and in some antitumour systems.[1,7]
Echinacin has been shown to inhibit the formation of fyaluronidase by bacteria; this helps to localize the infection and stop it spreading.[1]
Extracts of E angustifolia also inhibit Trichomonas vaginalis growth in vitro.[8]
References
[1] Becker, H. (1982) Deutsche Apoth. Ztg. 122 (45), 2320
[2] May, G. and Willuhn, G. (1978) Arneim. Forsch. 28,1
[3] Wacker, A. and Hilbig, W. (1978) Planta Med. 33, 89
[4] Harnischfeger, G. and Stolze, H. (1980) Notabene Medici 10, 484
[5] Wagner, H. et al. (1984) Arzneim. Forsch. 34, 659
[6] Vomel, Th. (1985) Arzeim. Forsch. 35 II (9), 1437
[7] Mose, J. R. (1983) Med. Welt 34, 51
[8] Samochowie, C. E. et al. (1979) Wiad. Parazyt. 25 (1) 77

Echinacea purpurea: Pharmacology, phytochemistry and analysis methods
Azadeh Manayi, Mahdi Vazirian, and Soodabeh Saeidnia
Abstract
Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae) is a perennial medicinal herb with important immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, especially the alleviation of cold symptoms. The plant also attracted scientists’ attention to assess other aspects of its beneficial effects. For instance, antianxiety, antidepression, cytotoxicity, and antimutagenicity as induced by the plant have been revealed in various studies. The findings of the clinical trials are controversial in terms of side effects. While some studies revealed the beneficial effects of the plant on the patients and no severe adverse effects, some others have reported serious side effects including abdominal pain, angioedema, dyspnea, nausea, pruritus, rash, erythema, and urticaria. Other biological activities of the plant such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and larvicidal activities have been reported in previous experimental studies. Different classes of secondary metabolites of the plant such as alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives, polysaccharides, and glycoproteins are believed to be biologically and pharmacologically active. Actually, concurrent determination and single analysis of cichoric acid and alkamides have been successfully developed mainly by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with different detectors including UV spectrophotometric, coulometric electrochemical, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detectors. The results of the studies which were controversial revealed that in spite of major experiments successfully accomplished using E. purpurea, many questions remain unanswered and future investigations may aim for complete recognition of the plant's mechanism of action using new, complementary methods.
Pharmacogn Rev. 2015 Jan-Jun; 9(17): 63–72.
doi: [10.4103/0973-7847.156353]
PMCID: PMC4441164
PMID: 26009695 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis.
Shah SA, Sander S, White CM, Rinaldi M, Coleman CI.
Erratum in
Lancet Infect Dis. 2007 Sep;7(9):580.
Abstract
Echinacea is one of the most commonly used herbal products, but controversy exists about its benefit in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Thus, we did a meta-analysis evaluating the effect of echinacea on the incidence and duration of the common cold. 14 unique studies were included in the meta-analysis. Incidence of the common cold was reported as an odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI, and duration of the common cold was reported as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% CI. Weighted averages and mean differences were calculated by a random-effects model (DerSimonian-Laird methodology). Heterogeneity was assessed by the Q statistic and review of L'Abbé plots, and publication bias was assessed through the Egger weighted regression statistic and visual inspection of funnel plots. Echinacea decreased the odds of developing the common cold by 58% (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.25-0.71; Q statistic p<0.001) and the duration of a cold by 1.4 days (WMD -1.44, -2.24 to -0.64; p=0.01). Similarly, significant reductions were maintained in subgroup analyses limited to Echinaguard/Echinacin use, concomitant supplement use, method of cold exposure, Jadad scores less than 3, or use of a fixed-effects model. Published evidence supports echinacea's benefit in decreasing the incidence and duration of the common cold.
Comment in
Benefit of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold? [Lancet Infect Dis. 2008]
PMID: 17597571 DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(07)70160-3 Lancet Infect Dis. 2007 Jul;7(7):473-80. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis
Sachin A Shah, Stephen Sander, C Michael White, Mike Rinaldi, Craig I Coleman
Summary
Echinacea is one of the most commonly used herbal products, but controversy exists about its benefit in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Thus, we did a meta-analysis evaluating the effect of echinacea on the incidence and duration of the common cold. 14 unique studies were included in the meta-analysis. Incidence of the common cold was reported as an odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI, and duration of the common cold was reported as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% CI. Weighted averages and mean differences were calculated by a random-effects model (DerSimonian-Laird methodology). Heterogeneity was assessed by the Q statistic and review of L'Abbé plots, and publication bias was assessed through the Egger weighted regression statistic and visual inspection of funnel plots. Echinacea decreased the odds of developing the common cold by 58% (OR 0·42; 95% CI 0·25–0·71; Q statistic p<0·001) and the duration of a cold by 1·4 days (WMD -1·44, -2·24 to -0·64; p=0·01). Similarly, significant reductions were maintained in subgroup analyses limited to Echinaguard/Echinacin use, concomitant supplement use, method of cold exposure, Jadad scores less than 3, or use of a fixed-effects model. Published evidence supports echinacea's benefit in decreasing the incidence and duration of the common cold.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
REVIEW| VOLUME 7, ISSUE 7, P473-480, JULY 01, 2007 Published:July, 2007DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(07)70160-3 thelancet.com

Efficacy of hydrophilic or lipophilic emulsions containing Echinacea purpurea extract in treatment of different types of pruritus.
Kilic A, Harder A, Reich H, Knie U, Masur C, Abels C.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Pruritus reduces quality of life and may occur at different sites of the body. To alleviate pruritus, lipid replenishing and rehydration of the skin is often unsatisfactory. Thus, products with additional antipruritic effects are needed.
OBJECTIVES:
Antipruritic effects and cosmetic properties of two different emulsions, water-in-oil (w/o) or oil-in-water (o/w), and a shampoo containing a lipophilic Echinacea purpurea root extract (Ec.-extract) were assessed in adults suffering from pruritus.
METHODS:
Adults (n = 55) with pruritus of the body applied a w/o emulsion for 2 weeks. In a separate study, adults (n = 33) with a pruritic scalp applied an o/w-emulsion for 4 weeks. In a third study, shampoo (n = 34) was applied for 4 weeks. Objective (erythema, dryness, and papules) and subjective (intensity, duration, and burden of pruritus) parameters were assessed.
RESULTS:
Treatment with the w/o emulsion significantly reduced erythema and dryness (P < 0.0001) as well as pruritus (in 93% of participants) on the body. Treatment with the o/w-emulsion on the scalp significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced objective (erythema in 61% and dryness in 85% of participants) and subjective (85% of participants had reduced pruritus) parameters. Similar results in reduction of dryness (76% of participants) and pruritus (70 % of participants) were seen after 4 weeks of shampoo use.
CONCLUSION:
Independent from the type of emulsion (w/o or o/w), cosmetic products containing a proprietary Ec.-extract significantly reduced objective and subjective parameters in adults suffering from acute or chronic pruritus exhibiting excellent tolerability.
PMID: 30538520 PMCID: PMC6251459 DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S172518 Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018 Nov 20;11:591-602. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S172518. eCollection 2018. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Harvest Strategies for Optimization of the Content of Bioactive Alkamides and Caffeic Acid Derivatives in Aerial Parts and in Roots of Echinacea purpurea.
Thomsen MO, Christensen LP, Grevsen K.
Abstract
Aerial parts and roots of Echinacea purpurea were harvested consecutively in order to find the best strategy for harvest of both types of plant material for an optimal content of bioactive alkamides and caffeic acid derivatives. Four caffeic acid derivatives and 15 alkamides were identified and quantified. The aerial parts were harvested in bud, bloom, and wilting stage and the roots were harvested 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after each harvest of aerial parts. The highest yield per area of both alkamides and caffeic acid derivatives is achieved when the aerial parts are harvested late (wilting stage). To obtain an optimal content of alkamides and caffeic acid derivatives it is not recommendable to harvest the aerial parts and the roots in the same year. If the aerial parts must be harvested, the roots should be harvested 1 week after because this will result in the most optimal concentration of bioactive compounds in both products.
PMID: 30350973 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b03420 J Agric Food Chem. 2018 Nov 7;66(44):11630-11639. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b03420. Epub 2018 Oct 26. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Herbal Echinacea on Recurrent Minor Oral Aphthous Ulcer.
Khozeimeh F, Saberi Z, Tavangar A, Badi FF.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The oral aphthous is a common oral ulcer with intense pain and there is no treatment for it, yet. Echinacea is an herbal medicine that moderated the immune system.
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Echinacea on the treatment of aphthous ulcer.
METHODS:
50 patients with minor aphthous participated in our study. 25 patients take 3 tablets in a day for five weeks (case group) and 25 patients didn't take any tablets (control group). The patients were monitored for one month before taking the tablets for six months. During this period, the number of lesions, complete improvement of ulcers, recurrence rate and intensity of pain were considered in each month. Finally, the Friedman and ANOVA tests used to analyze the obtained data.
RESULT:
Our study showed a significant difference between a number of lesions during six-month in case and control groups (p>0.001). In this way, we observed that the number of lesions was decreased significantly after six months in the case group. Hence, ANOVA analysis showed a significant decrease between each month for the intensity of pain (p=0.025), complete improvement (p<0.001) and recurrence rate (p=0.026).
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, we showed that Echinacea tablets as an herbal medicine have positive effects on a number of lesions, intensity of pain, complete improvement and recurrence rate in patients with recurrent minor aphthous ulcers.
PMID: 30258501 PMCID: PMC6131317 DOI: 10.2174/1874210601812010567 Open Dent J. 2018 Aug 31;12:567-571. doi: 10.2174/1874210601812010567. eCollection 2018. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov