© H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Echinacea purpurea
CautionPurpur-Sonnenhut · (Echinacea purpurea)
Daisy family (Asteraceae)
Description
Echinacea purpurea, the eastern purple coneflower, purple coneflower, hedgehog coneflower, or Echinacea, is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to parts of eastern North America and present to some extent in the wild in much of the eastern, southeastern and midwestern United States, as well as in the Canadian Province of Ontario. It is most common in the Ozarks, the Mississippi Valley, and the Ohio Valley.
CONTRAINDICATED for children
Per EMA not recommended for children under 12 — insufficient safety data. Additionally, increased risk of allergic reactions in children with atopic conditions. For children under 12 with signs of infection always seek medical evaluation; no Echinacea self-medication.
Critical drug interactions with:
Immunsuppressiva (Ciclosporin, Tacrolimus, Azathioprin, Methotrexat, Mycophenolat, Kortikosteroide in immunsuppressiver Dosis)
- TinctureAerial partsInternalEMA well-established
Expressed juice from fresh flowering herb (EMA well-established use) for short-term prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract colds.
Preparation & dosage
EXPRESSED JUICE (EMA well-established use): Expressed juice from fresh flowering herb (Echinaceae purpureae herba recens), DER 1.5–2.5:1, no solvent. Single dose 1.5–4.5 ml, daily dose 6–9 ml, oral. Dilute in water if desired. Start at first signs of cold (scratchy throat, mild chills). Do not use for more than 10 days (≈1.5 weeks). If symptoms persist beyond 10 days or fever exceeds 39 °C: seek medical advice. Do not combine with immunosuppressants. Do not apply to atopic eczema, wounds or inflamed mucous membranes.
- Liquid amount
- 1.5–4.5 ml
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1.5 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Per EMA, adults and adolescents 12 years and older only — insufficient data for children under 12.
[#src_ema_echinacea_herba_wI] [#src_kommission_e_echinacea_purpurea_herba] [#src_escop_echinacea_purpurea]
- TinctureRootInternalTraditional use
Root tincture or dry extract for traditional treatment of upper respiratory colds — EMA traditional use.
Preparation & dosage
ROOT TINCTURE / DRY EXTRACT (EMA traditional use): Root tincture (DER 1:5 in ethanol 55 % V/V): 1–2 ml 3× daily. Alternatively dry extract (DER 5.5–7.5:1, ethanol 45 % V/V): 40 mg every 2 hours, daily dose 360 mg. For supportive treatment of colds and upper respiratory infections. Do not exceed 10 days. Seek medical advice if worsening or fever above 39 °C. Do not use in autoimmune diseases, immunosuppression or progressive systemic disorders.
- Liquid amount
- 1–2 ml
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1.5 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Adults and adolescents 12+ only — insufficient data for children under 12.
[#src_ema_echinacea_radix_wI] [#src_who_echinacea] [#src_escop_echinacea_purpurea]
- TeaAerial partsInternalTraditional use
Infusion from dried herb for traditional support during colds and mild upper respiratory infections.
Preparation & dosage
INFUSION (traditional use): 1–2 g dried Echinacea herb (or herb/root blend) in 200 ml boiling water, covered, steep 10 min, strain. 3× daily fresh. Daily dose ~3–6 g herb. Start at first signs of cold. Do not use longer than 10 days. Tea is less concentrated than expressed juice or extract — suitable as adjunct or for mild symptoms. Do not use in Asteraceae allergy.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1.5 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Not recommended for children under 12 — insufficient data.
[#src_who_echinacea] [#src_pfaf_echinacea] [#src_wichtl_echinacea]
- TinctureAerial partsInternalCommission E
Expressed juice for prophylactic immune support during cold season — Kommission E positive, max. 8 weeks continuous therapy.
Preparation & dosage
ECHINACEA JUICE FOR IMMUNE PROPHYLAXIS (Kommission E): Daily dose 6–9 ml expressed juice from fresh flowering herb, oral. Prophylactic use to strengthen natural defences; e.g. during cold season or recurrent infections. Do not use continuously for more than 8 weeks — then at least 2–4 weeks break. Long-term use without pause is not recommended due to possible tolerance and insufficient safety data. Do not use in autoimmune diseases, MS, TB, leukaemia or HIV/AIDS.
- Liquid amount
- 6–9 ml
- Doses per day
- 1×
- Max duration
- 8 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Children under 12: not recommended.
[#src_kommission_e_echinacea_purpurea_herba] [#src_ema_echinacea_herba_wI]
- SalveAerial partsExternalTraditional use
External salve or cream with expressed juice for superficial wounds, abrasions and mild skin inflammation — EMA traditional use.
Preparation & dosage
SALVE / CREAM (external, traditional use): Preparations with 10–20 g expressed juice / 100 g ointment base. Apply thinly to affected area 2–3× daily. Indications: small, superficial abrasions, pressure marks, early insect stings (anti-inflammatory). Do not apply to deep, large, or infected wounds. Do not apply to breast of breastfeeding women. Do not use longer than 7 days without medical advice. If signs of infection appear (redness, warmth, pus, spread) seek medical treatment immediately.
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1 weeks
[#src_ema_echinacea_herba_wI] [#src_kommission_e_echinacea_purpurea_herba]
- TinctureRootInternalTraditional use
Root dry extract as adjuvant for mild acne — traditional use per EMA.
Preparation & dosage
ROOT DRY EXTRACT FOR MILD ACNE (EMA traditional use): Dry extract from root (DER 4:1, water solvent): 50–100 mg single dose, 150–300 mg daily. Oral, taken with meals. Adjuvant for mild acne (spots, blackheads, mild inflammatory lesions). Not a substitute for dermatological therapy in moderate-to-severe acne. Seek medical advice if symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks or worsen.
- Dry amount
- 0.05–0.1 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Not for children under 12 years.
- TeaRootInternalFolk medicine
Folk root decoction for fever and infections — historical use by Native Americans, later adopted by Eclectic physicians and European folk medicine.
Preparation & dosage
ROOT DECOCTION (folk use): 1–2 g dried, coarsely chopped Echinacea root in 250 ml cold water, bring to boil, simmer 10–15 min (decoction), strain, cool. 3× daily for fever, influenza-like illness and as traditional blood-purifier of indigenous peoples (Lakota, Cheyenne). Historical background: Echinacea was among the most-used remedies of Plains Indians — bite wounds, snakebite, sore throat, toothache. In Europe widely used folk medicinally for immune support. For high fever (above 39.5 °C) or fever persisting more than 3 days: seek medical advice.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1 weeks
[#src_who_echinacea] [#src_madaus_echinacea] [#src_pfaf_echinacea]