Blackmores Institute

<p>A meta-analysis of six randomised controlled trials (RCTs) found that echinacea extracts reduce the risk of recurrent RTIs by 35%. Echinacea halved the risk of recurrent RTIs in people with higher susceptibility, psychological stress, or compromised immune function. In addition, echinacea treatment reduced the frequency of complications such as pneumonia, otitis media/externa, and tonsillitis/pharyngitis. Echinacea can also be effective in reducing the risk of upper RTIs by 22% and slightly reducing the average duration of illness. The safety of echinacea treatment has been confirmed.</p><p> As pharmacists and healthcare practitioners, it is important to understand the evidence-informed dosage for echinacea. Daily doses differ for prevention and at the onset of cold symptoms. </p><h3><strong>Key learnings:</strong></h3><ul><li>Echinacea exhibits anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, making it a powerful tool in preventing and treating RTIs.</li><li>A meta-analysis of six RCTs found that echinacea extracts reduce the risk of recurrent RTIs by 35%.</li><li>Echinacea treatment reduces the frequency of complications such as pneumonia, otitis media/externa, and tonsillitis/pharyngitis.</li><li>For prevention, a daily dose of 2400 mg (dry root equiv.) is recommended. At the first sign of a cold, the dosage should be increased to 3825 mg (dry root equiv.) per day.</li></ul><h3><strong>Usage guidelines:</strong></h3><p> </p><img src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt948bd74310fc0ad0/bltc7268b7d1bc555bd/6a14f88b8995c9534bf3d90a/Echinacea-Usage-Guidelines-Blackmores-Institute.png" alt="Echinacea-Usage-Guidelines-Blackmores-Institute.png" class="embedded-asset" /><p></p><p>Echinacea is a powerful herb that can be used both for prevention as a long-term strategy and at the onset of infection. Pharmacists and healthcare professionals can play a critical role in educating patients about the benefits of echinacea and helping to determine the appropriate dosage for their needs.</p><p> </p><h3><strong>References:</strong></h3><p> Braun L; Cohen M. Herbs and Natural Supplements. Ebook 4th edition. Chatswood: Elsevier 2014
 David S.; Cunningham R. Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement. Ther. Med. 2019 Jun;44:18-26
 Schapowal A. et al. Echinacea reduces the risk of recurrent respiratory tract infections and complications: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Adv. Ther. 2015 Mar;32(3):187- 200 </p>

<p>Echinacea, also known as <em>Echinacea angustifolia/purpurea</em>, is a medicinal herb which exhibits anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It is thus a powerful tool in preventing and treating respiratory tract infections (RTIs).</p>

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