Purple coneflower, more commonly known as echinacea, is an herb native to North America that has historically been used by Native Americans as a "cure-all" medicine. Purple coneflower was used for infections and inflammation in the United States during the 1800s, and there has been a resurgence in its use after the rise of popularity in natural medicines. Most current research on purple coneflower is conducted in Germany, where the herb has become increasingly popular in the last century. Consult your health care provider before beginning use of purple coneflower.
Common Cold
Purple coneflower's main use is to prevent and treat the common cold and its symptoms, including sore throat, cough and fever. However, human studies have found that purple coneflower is not effective for preventing colds caused by rhinovirus, nor is it effective in treating upper respiratory tract infections. Research has found mixed results for purple coneflower's use in reducing the incidence of and the duration of the common cold; however, studies have used preparations containing different concentrations of purple coneflower, which does not allow conclusions to be make on purple coneflower's effectiveness.
Other Uses
Research has suggested that purple coneflower contains substances that help enhance the immune system, as well as reduce pain and inflammation. In addition, purple coneflower has been used to treat conditions such as urinary tract infections, chronic fatigue syndrome, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, influenza, bee stings, allergies, hay fever and eczema; however, there is insufficient evidence on purple coneflower's effectiveness in treating these conditions.
Dosage Recommendations
Be cautious when choosing a purple coneflower supplement, as different brands and preparations have been found to contain varying amounts of the herb. Use 1 g to 2 g of dried herb or root to prepare purple coneflower tea, drinking it three times daily for seven to 10 days. Use 0.75 mL -- 15 to 23 drops -- of stabilized purple coneflower extract three times daily for seven to 10 days. Use 2 to 3 mL of standardized tincture extract three times daily for 7 to 10 days. For pediatric use of purple coneflower, base the child's dosage on the adult dosage by the child's weight. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that herbal dosages are based on a 150 lb. adult. Use alcohol-free preparations of purple coneflower for children.
Usage Warnings
Side effects of purple coneflower include gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea, sore throat, dry mouth, headache, dizziness, insomnia and numbness of the tongue. Allergic reactions may occur in individuals with allergies to members of the Compositae family, including ragweed, mums, marigolds and daisies. Rare allergic reactions may result in anaphylaxis -- characterized by difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat and possible fainting. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not use purple coneflower. Purple coneflower is also not recommended for use by those with auto-immune disorders, including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and others, as it may cause these disorders to worsen.
