echinacea (Echinacea spp.)

Reported Doses

Safety/efficacy may not be established; reported doses may be derived from limited or potentially inadequate studies w/ variable regimens, multi-ingredient products, or where concentration of active ingredients may vary widely

Special Note, COVID-19

[no scientific data for COVID-19]

Info: see Herb & Supplement Remedy Use in COVID-19 Resources

Effectiveness Ratings

[see Herb & Supplement Effectiveness Rating Definitions table]

anxiety

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 40 mg PO qd-bid

athletic performance

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 2 g PO qid

atopic dermatitis (eczema)

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: apply cream topically bid-tid

common cold, adult pts

[Possibly Effective]

Dose: 800 mg PO tid; Info: incr. to 800 mg PO 5x/day at cold sx onset

common cold, peds pts

[Possibly Effective]

Dose: 400 mg PO tid; Info: for pts 4 yo and older

influenza

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 200 mg PO qd x15 days, then 100 mg PO qd x15 days, then 100 mg PO qod; Alt: 1200 mg echinacea extract per 5 mL w/ elderberry concentrate in 150 mL hot water PO 5x/day x3 days, then tid x7 days

lichen planus

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 114 mg PO tid

molluscum contagiosum, peds pts

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 200 mg PO qd if wt <20 kg; 400 mg PO qd if wt >20 kg

respiratory infections

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 16.8 g lozenge PO qd; Alt: 14 sprays/day (16.8 g) PO divided bid

tonsillitis

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 250 mg/5 mL root pwdr suspension PO tid x10 days/mo; Alt: 1 spray PO q2h prn up to 10 sprays/day

tonsillopharyngitis

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 800 mg lozenge PO 5x/day; Info: used w/ sage

URI

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 800 mg PO 5x/day x10 days; Alt: 1100-2200 mg PO qd x5 days