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Herbs and plants

Echinacea — does it really boost immunity, or is it supplement marketing?

Sources: 6 · Article: 9 933 characters

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) states that oral echinacea herb juice taken early may prevent cold symptoms and relieve them faster than a placebo.

  • Oral medicines containing purple coneflower herb may be used for a short time to prevent and treat colds.
  • Echinacea may cause allergic reactions, including severe ones.
  • People allergic to echinacea or other plants in the Asteraceae family should not use these medicines.

What the authors write

Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA)

Oral medicines containing purple coneflower herb may be used for a short time to prevent and treat colds.

„The HMPC concluded that medicines taken by mouth containing purple coneflower herb may be used for a short time to prevent and treat colds. The HMPC also concluded that, based on their long-standing use, medicines applied to the skin containing purple coneflower herb may be used to treat minor superficial wounds.”HMPC stwierdził, że leki do przyjmowania doustnie zawierające ziele jeżówki purpurowej mogą być stosowane krótkotrwale w zapobieganiu przeziębieniom i ich leczeniu. HMPC stwierdził także, że na podstawie ich długotrwałego stosowania leki do stosowania na skórę zawierające ziele jeżówki purpurowej mogą być stosowane w leczeniu niewielkich powierzchniowych ran.
Ziele jeżówki purpurowej — streszczenie EMA dla pacjentów
Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA)

Studies in adults found that oral herb juice taken early may prevent cold symptoms and relieve them faster than a placebo.

„The most relevant clinical studies in adults showed that medicines containing pressed juice from purple coneflower herb, intended to be taken by mouth, may prevent cold symptoms and relieve them faster than a placebo if taken early.”W najbardziej istotnych badaniach klinicznych przeprowadzonych wśród osób dorosłych wykazano, że leki zawierające wyciśnięty sok z ziela jeżówki purpurowej przeznaczone do stosowania doustnego mogą zapobiegać objawom przeziębienia oraz łagodzić je szybciej niż placebo, jeśli zostały wcześnie zastosowane.
Ziele jeżówki purpurowej — streszczenie EMA dla pacjentów
Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA)

The basis for short-term use for colds is established use and data covering at least 10 years in the EU.

„This means that there is literature containing scientific evidence of their effectiveness and safety when used in this way, covering a period of at least 10 years in the EU. In its assessment, the HMPC considered several clinical studies that compared medicines containing purple coneflower herb with a placebo for the short-term prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections.”Oznacza to, że istnieją dane literaturowe zawierające dowody naukowe na ich skuteczność i bezpieczeństwo stosowania w przypadku stosowania ich w ten sposób, obejmujące okres co najmniej 10 lat w UE. W swojej ocenie HMPC uwzględnił kilka badań klinicznych, w których porównano leki zawierające ziele jeżówki purpurowej z placebo w krótkotrwałym zapobieganiu zakażeniom górnych dróg oddechowych i ich leczeniu.
Ziele jeżówki purpurowej — streszczenie EMA dla pacjentów
Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA)

Purple coneflower herb refers to the flowering aerial parts of the plant, and preparations may be taken by mouth or applied to the skin.

„Purple coneflower herb is the common name for the flowering aerial parts of the plant Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. The flowering aerial parts used for medicinal purposes are obtained from cultivated or wild-growing plants.”Ziele jeżówki purpurowej to nazwa zwyczajowa kwitnących, nadziemnych części rośliny Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. Kwitnące, nadziemne części do zastosowań leczniczych są otrzymywane z roślin uprawianych lub występujących w środowisku znalezione w stanie dzikim.
Ziele jeżówki purpurowej — streszczenie EMA dla pacjentów
Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA)

Echinacea may cause allergic reactions, and severe reactions have also been reported when it is used for colds.

„Cases of severe allergic reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, asthma and anaphylactic shock, have been reported when it is used to prevent and treat colds, especially in atopic patients (those prone to allergic reactions).”Podczas stosowania w zapobieganiu przeziębieniom i ich leczeniu zgłaszano przypadki ciężkich reakcji alergicznych (takich jak zespół Stevensa-Johnsona, astma i wstrząs anafilaktyczny), zwłaszcza u pacjentów atopowych (ze skłonnością do występowania reakcji alergicznych).
Ziele jeżówki purpurowej — streszczenie EMA dla pacjentów
Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA)

People allergic to echinacea or other plants in the Asteraceae family should not use these medicines.

„Medicines containing purple coneflower herb must not be used in patients who are hypersensitive (allergic) to purple coneflower herb or other plants in the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. More information about the risks associated with medicines containing purple coneflower herb, including precautions for their safe use, can be found in the monograph under the “All documents” tab on the Agency’s website: ema.europa.eu/Find medicine/Herbal medicines for human use.”Leków zawierających ziele jeżówki purpurowej nie wolno stosować u pacjentów z nadwrażliwością (alergią) na ziele jeżówki purpurowej lub inne rośliny z rodziny Asteraceae (Compositae). Więcej informacji na temat zagrożeń związanych z lekami zawierającymi ziele jeżówki purpurowej, w tym środki ostrożności dotyczące ich bezpiecznego stosowania, znajduje się w monografii, w zakładce „All documents” („Wszystkie dokumenty”) na stronie internetowej Agencji: ema.europa.eu/Find medicine/Herbal medicines for human use.
Ziele jeżówki purpurowej — streszczenie EMA dla pacjentów

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 3 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 22.

In chickens, adding echinacea to feed alongside vaccination was associated with greater weight gain and less severe lesions after coccidia infection.

Aim of the study: An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of dietary supplementation with 0.1% and 0.5% ground root preparations of Echinacea purpurea (EP; common name: purple coneflower) on the development of immunity following live vaccination and subsequent challenge with multiple coccidia species in an experimental model using a commercial live vaccine preparation.

Results: Effects of immunization and EP supplementation on weight gains before challenge, and weight gains, lesion scores and plasma levels of carotenoids and NO2-+NO3- following challenge were determined. In this experiment, combined live vaccination and feed supplementation with 0.1% or 0.5% EP during the first 2 weeks of life provided significant weight gain advantage compared to live vaccination alone. This advantage persisted through 2 weeks of EP withdrawal and subsequent challenge infection. EP supplementation also significantly lowered total lesion scores but did not significantly modify the effects of vaccination and challenge on plasma carotenoids or NO2-+NO3-.

Dietary supplementation with Echinacea and development of immunity to challenge infection with coccidia. · Parasitol Res 2003
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In rats, an echinacea diet increased immunoglobulin production compared with the control.

Aim of the study: Herbs, as food or medicine, can strengthen the body and increase its resistance to illnesses by acting on various components of the immune system. For example, Echinacea is noted for its ability to enhance immune function, primarily through activation of the innate immune responses.

Results: The Brahmi diet stimulated more secretion of IgA and IgG in the serum compared to Echinacea or Ashwagandha. Whether or not lectin was present in the diet, the production of IgA, IgG and IgM in spleen lymphocytes increased with herbal supplements. The concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-2 treated with LPS and ConA were significantly higher in the dietary herb than in the control. On the contrary, TNF-α production in rats receiving dietary herbal supplements was significantly lower compared to the control animals. Herbal remedies based on Echinacea, Brahmi, or Ashwagandha can enhance immune function by increasing immunoglobulin production. Furthermore, these herbal medicines might regulate antibody production by augmenting both Th1 and Th2 cytokine production.

A comparison of the immunostimulatory effects of the medicinal herbs Echinacea, Ashwagandha and Brahmi. · J Ethnopharmacol 2011
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In tilapia, echinacea combined with vitamin C improved phagocyte activity and some characteristics of intestinal tissue.

Aim of the study: In this study, the influence of the dietary incorporation of Echinacea purpurea (EP) extract and/or vitamin C on the intestinal histomorphology and some immunological indices were tested in the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linn.). O.

Results: Furthermore, the expression of the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) genes was evaluated in intestine and head kidney. The results revealed that the G4 successfully surpassed the other groups in terms of the heights of intestinal villi, the number of goblet cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), and the phagocytic activity, followed by the G3 and G2. The expression of the IL-1β and TNF-α genes were up regulated only in G4 but in the G3 only the expression of the IL-1β gene was up regulated. Hence, EP extract along with vitamin C could be used as a feed additive in order to improve the structure of the intestinal mucosal epithelium and immune response in tilapia.

The effects of the dietary supplementation of Echinacea purpurea extract and/or vitamin C on the intestinal histomorphology, phagocytic activity, and gene expression of the Nile tilapia. · Fish Shellfish Immunol 2018
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Perspectives and opinion materials

The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.

Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Yes, there may be supplements and herbs that provide a little immune system support, but this is Ebola we are talking about — get real! Note, vitamin C is not some magical antitoxin; this idea is a metaphor. A disease such as Ebola is not caused by toxins that are inactivated by vitamin C.”Yes, there may be supplements and herbs that provide a little immune system support, but this is Ebola we are talking about - get real! Note, vitamin C is not some magical antitoxin; this idea is a metaphor. A disease such as Ebola is not caused by toxins that are inactivated by vitamin C.
Can Vitamin C Cure Ebola?
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„(2021) A systematic review on the effects of Echinacea supplementation on cytokine levels: Is there a role in COVID-19? Metabol Open 11:100115. Cheng RZ. (2020) Can early and high intravenous dose of vitamin C prevent and treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? Medicine in Drug Discovery 5:100028. Cheng R, Kogan M, Devra D. (2020) Ascorbate as Prophylaxis and Therapy for COVID-19 -- Update From Shanghai and U.S. Medical Institutions. Glob Adv Health Med 9:2164956120934768. Cheng RZ (2020) Protected Population Immunity, Not A Vaccine, Is The Way To Stop Covid-19 Pandemic. J Clin Immunol Immunother 6:1-4. Huang I, Pranata R, Lim MA, et al.”(2021) A systematic review on the effects of Echinacea supplementation on cytokine levels: Is there a role in COVID-19? Metabol Open 11:100115. Cheng RZ. (2020) Can early and high intravenous dose of vitamin C prevent and treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? Medicine in Drug Discovery 5:100028. Cheng R, Kogan M, Devra D. (2020) Ascorbate as Prophylaxis and Therapy for COVID-19 -- Update From Shanghai and U.S. Medical Institutions. Glob Adv Health Med 9:2164956120934768. Cheng RZ (2020) Protected Population Immunity, Not A Vaccine, Is The Way To Stop Covid-19 Pandemic. J Clin Immunol Immunother 6:1-4. Huang I, Pranata R, Lim MA, et al.
A Hallmark of Covid-19: Cytokine Storm/Oxidative Stress and its Integrative Mechanism

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