BT-097 · Asteraceae

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia

Evidence: LimitedGenerally safe

The spiny cone at the centre of the flower recalls a hedgehog; the Latin name comes from the Greek for hedgehog (ekhinos).

Other names: Purple coneflower, ekinezya (Turkish)
Part used: Root, flowering tops
Region: North America
Use: Healing

Photo: Burkhard Mücke · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

In short

What is Echinacea?

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) is a plant of the Asteraceae family. Traditions that use it: North America. Part used: root, flowering tops.

What is Echinacea used for?

Traditional use: Peoples of the Great Plains chewed or applied the root for snakebite, toothache and wounds. Scientific evidence: limited. According to the NCCIH it may have a small effect in preventing or shortening colds, but results are inconsistent.

Is Echinacea safe?

Safety label: generally safe. Can cause allergy in people allergic to the daisy family. People with autoimmune disease should be careful.

Traditional use

North America

Peoples of the Great Plains chewed or applied the root for snakebite, toothache and wounds.

Today

One of the best-selling herbal products for colds in Europe and Türkiye.

In nature

Where it grows: Prairies and plains of North America; now grown in many places, including Türkiye.
Harvest season: Flowers July–September, roots in autumn.
Local names: ekinezya, kirpi otu

Mix-up risk

Three Echinacea species and different plant parts are used; products vary greatly.

Preparation

Root or flowering tops are steeped; standardised extracts are used.

What science says

According to the NCCIH it may have a small effect in preventing or shortening colds, but results are inconsistent. The EMA recognises E. purpurea aerial parts for short-term treatment of colds.