Despite advances in modern medicine, there is no cure for the common cold. Each year, the common cold is the primary reason for workplace absences. Echinacea is a perennial plant commonly used in herbal medicine to treat and prevent colds. It is available over-the-counter in a wide variety of forms, but you should consult your doctor before taking it.
Common Cold
Colds are more common than any other illness. There are over a billion colds each year in the United States alone, according to PubMed Health. The common cold is highly contagious, especially during the first two to three days of infection. You can catch it if an infected person coughs or sneezes on you, for example. Symptoms generally include runny nose, sneezing, coughing and nasal congestion.
History
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, echinacea has a long history of use in Native America. It became popular in the 18th and 19th century as a cure-all. Although its use declined in the United States after antibiotics became available, today, echinacea is the most popular herbal remedy in the United States. It is taken at the first sign of a cold to reduce the duration of the cold and speed recovery. It is used for immune system support to help fight infections.
Does it Work?
Although it is the most common herbal remedy for colds, echinacea's effectiveness remains under debate. Clinical data offer mixed results. While some evidence suggests it may help reduce your risk of getting a cold and reduce cold duration in the event that you do get one, other data suggests no benefit, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Dose
Echinacea is available in capsules, liquid, and tincture. It is also added to immune-boosting supplements. It is typically taken three times per day for the duration of the cold. The dose depends on the form. A typical dose of standardized tincture is 2 to 3 mL, while 300 mg is a typical dose for powder and capsules. You should take echinacea as the label or your health care provider directs.
Precautions
Echinacea may reduce the effectiveness of immune-suppressing medications. Some individuals are allergic to echinacea. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction. These include difficulty breathing and swelling of the lips, face and throat. General echinacea side effects are mild and include a mild but temporary tingling of your tongue.
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