Echinacea
Immune · Herbal immune modulator
Tier B-
What this is
Quality hugely variable — different species, different plant parts, different extraction solvents, and different alkamide/cichoric acid standardization all produce different clinical results. A. Vogel Echinaforce (E. purpurea fresh-pressed) has the most positive trial data. Start at first cold symptoms rather than chronic prophylaxis.
Mechanism
E. purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida — alkamides, cichoric acid, polysaccharides; proposed TLR activation and macrophage/NK stimulation; aerial parts vs root differ
Dose & route
Species and preparation specific; 300-500 mg 2-3x/day dried herb or equivalent tincture
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24554461/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22502621/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6719388/
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This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.