Echinacea

Best for

Ease cold and flu severity

Likely strong benefit for 1 weeks · 1 meta-analysis , n=6k

6 papers · 3 claims · 15 outcomes scored · 2 positive

Outcomes

What echinacea actually does, by outcome

Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.

Outcome Effect size Evidence Dose Weeks Rank

Ease cold and flu severity Likely strong benefit

When you do get sick, the whole experience hits lighter.

2 meta-analyses n=6.0k 120–16800 mg 1 wk #1/17

21173411·38667040

large

2 meta-analyses n=6.0k Meta-analyzed I²=91%

120–16800 mg

1 wk

#1 /17

Catch fewer colds and infections Proven strong benefit

Your immune barriers intercept more viruses before they take hold.

2 meta-analyses n=4.9k 120–16800 mg — #2/17

24554461·38667040

large

2 meta-analyses n=4.9k Meta-analyzed I²=88%

120–16800 mg

—

#2 /17

Recover from colds faster Probably doesn't help

Shaves days off a cold by clearing the virus sooner.

2 RCTs n=359 5100–10200 mg 1 wk

21173411·21747102

trivial

2 RCTs n=359

5100–10200 mg

1 wk

—

Outcome	Effect	Evidence	Dose	Weeks	Rank
Ease cold and flu severity Likely strong benefit	large	2 meta-analyses n=6.0k Meta-analyzed	120–16800 mg	1 wk	#1/17
Catch fewer colds and infections Proven strong benefit	large	2 meta-analyses n=4.9k Meta-analyzed	120–16800 mg	—	#2/17
Recover from colds faster Probably doesn't help	trivial	2 RCTs n=359	5100–10200 mg	1 wk	—

Risk profile

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Safety events

thrombocytopenia severe

autoimmune hepatitis / acute cholestatic autoimmune hepatitis severe

Decreased number of viable fetuses (animal) severe

Burning sensation and dryness of the throat moderate

Rash on the mucosa mild

abdominal pain mild

Joint pains (arthralgia)

Bad taste

Drug interactions

Darunavir major decreases concentration

Etoposide major increases toxicity

Midazolam major decreases concentration

Theophylline moderate increases concentration

Warfarin moderate unknown

Lopinavir-Ritonavir moderate decreases concentration

other moderate decreases concentration

Phenytoin moderate decreases effect

other moderate unknown

Co-studied with

Supplements that share evidence with echinacea

Sources

Generated August 14, 2026

Echinacea

What echinacea actually does, by outcome

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Supplements that share evidence with echinacea

More evidence for Echinacea

Prairie Panacea, Airplane Colds, and a Hidden Microbiome: The Echinacea Plot Twist

Echinacea angustifolia

Echinacea purpurea

European Elder / Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

Vitamin C

Zinc

Echinacea

More evidence for Echinacea

NewPrairie Panacea, Airplane Colds, and a Hidden Microbiome: The Echinacea Plot Twist

NewEchinacea angustifolia

NewEchinacea purpurea

NewEuropean Elder / Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

NewVitamin C

NewZinc

Prairie Panacea, Airplane Colds, and a Hidden Microbiome: The Echinacea Plot Twist

Echinacea angustifolia

Echinacea purpurea

European Elder / Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

Vitamin C

Zinc