Echinacea purpurea is the most commonly used form of echinacea for supplements, and also the strongest. It is used either orally or topically, depending on the reason you are taking the supplement. Before you begin taking echinacea, you should speak with your doctor to make sure it is safe for you, since some people should not take this supplement.
Possible Health Benefits
Echinacea purpurea may help to prevent and treat colds and upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections and slow-healing wounds and strengthen the immune system. Evidence is conflicting, but it is stronger for treating colds and upper respiratory infections than for preventing them, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes, echinacea is used to try to treat acne or other skin problems.
Dosage
Dosage depends on the form of echinacea used. Topical ointments should be used as needed. The typical adult dose for oral forms of echinacea is three times a day for seven to 10 days. The dose is either 1g to 2 g of dried herbs in tea, 6 to 9 mL of expressed juice, 2 to 3 mL of standardized tincture extract, 300 mg of standardized, powdered extract containing 4 percent phenolics, .75 mL of stabilized fresh extract or 1 to 3 mL of tincture, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of taking oral echinacea are gastrointestinal in nature, although some people experience fever, drowsiness, headache, muscle aches, dizziness or allergic reactions, including rash, swelling, difficulty breathing, anaphylaxis and increased asthma. Allergic reactions to echinacea are more common if you are allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigolds or chrysanthemums.
Warning
Children are more likely to experience rashes, so echinacea may not provide enough benefit to be worth the risk involved, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you have HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, autoimmune disorders, collagen disorders, white blood cell disorders or multiple sclerosis, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not take echinacea. You should not take echinacea if you are also taking immunosuppressants. Taking echinacea supplements long-term can increase your risk for low white blood cell counts.
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