Echinacea
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea / angustifolia) is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 6,867 participants, researched for Cold & Flu Prevention, Cold & Respiratory, Infection Prevention and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cold & Flu Prevention
StrongCold & Respiratory
ModerateInfection Prevention
ModerateClinical trials
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cold & Flu Prevention
To evaluate standardised E. purpurea on common cold symptoms and duration.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate standardised E. purpurea on common cold symptoms and duration.
Dose
E. purpurea extract 900mg daily for 10 days
Participants
282 patients with acute cold symptoms
Duration
10 days
Results
Significant reduction in cold symptom severity composite score and duration vs placebo. Faster resolution of fever, sore throat, and nasal congestion.
How They Measured It
Cold symptom severity composite score, duration, diagnosis
To assess Echinacea purpurea on cold prevention over 4 months in healthy adults.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Echinacea purpurea on cold prevention over 4 months in healthy adults.
Dose
Echinacea purpurea 2400mg daily
Participants
755 healthy adults
Duration
4 months
Results
120 fewer cold days per person in echinacea group. 26% fewer cold episodes. 59% fewer recurrent infections vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Cold incidence rate, total cold days, severity scores
To systematically review echinacea preparations for upper respiratory tract infections.
Study Type
Cochrane systematic review
Purpose
To systematically review echinacea preparations for upper respiratory tract infections.
Dose
Various echinacea preparations
Participants
4865 participants across 24 trials
Duration
Various
Results
Some echinacea products reduce incidence and duration of common cold. E. purpurea aerial parts most effective. Evidence generally supports benefit with high-quality products.
How They Measured It
Cold incidence, cold duration, symptom severity across 24 RCTs
To evaluate efficacy of Echinacea purpurea in common cold patients.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate efficacy of Echinacea purpurea in common cold patients.
Dose
E. purpurea standardised extract
Participants
246 adults with common cold
Duration
7-8 days
Results
Significantly faster recovery and reduced severity scores vs placebo. All symptom categories showed improvement trend.
How They Measured It
URTI symptom composite score, recovery time
To evaluate effectiveness of echinacea for treating common cold
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate effectiveness of echinacea for treating common cold
Dose
Echinacea extract (standardized preparation)
Participants
719 participants aged 12-80 years with new-onset common cold
Duration
Until symptom resolution (typically 5-7 days)
Results
Echinacea showed minor, nonstatistically significant decrease in illness duration and severity compared to placebo
How They Measured It
Cold duration, symptom severity (Jackson Cold Symptom Score), symptom resolution time
Cold & Respiratory
To evaluate echinacea for treating the common cold
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate echinacea for treating the common cold
Dose
Echinacea preparation
Participants
Patients with common cold
Duration
Treatment period
Results
Echinacea supplementation showed benefits for common cold treatment in some populations.
How They Measured It
Cold duration, symptom severity
To evaluate echinacea purpurea for common cold treatment
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate echinacea purpurea for common cold treatment
Dose
Echinacea purpurea extract
Participants
Patients with common cold symptoms
Duration
Treatment period during illness
Results
Echinacea purpurea showed potential benefits for reducing cold duration and symptom severity.
How They Measured It
Cold duration, symptom severity, immune markers
Infection Prevention
To evaluate fluid extract of Echinacea purpurea on incidence and severity of colds and respiratory infections
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate fluid extract of Echinacea purpurea on incidence and severity of colds and respiratory infections
Dose
Echinacea purpurea fluid extract
Participants
Healthy adults
Duration
Prevention period (months)
Results
Echinacea fluid extract showed potential for preventing colds and respiratory infections in some populations.
How They Measured It
Infection incidence, severity scores
Clinical trials
To evaluate immune-enhancing efficacy and safety of Echinacea purpurea 60% ethanolic extract (EPE) in Korean adults.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate immune-enhancing efficacy and safety of Echinacea purpurea 60% ethanolic extract (EPE) in Korean adults.
Dose
200 mg/day EPE for 8 weeks
Participants
80 volunteers (randomized to EPE or placebo)
Duration
8 weeks
Results
EPE significantly increased NK cell cytotoxic activity and serum IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α compared to placebo. No significant changes in respiratory symptoms or fatigue. No adverse effects.
How They Measured It
NK cell cytotoxic activity, serum cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α), WURSS-21, Multidimensional Fatigue Scale
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Echinacea research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea / angustifolia), involving 6,867 total participants. Research covers Immune support, Cold prevention, Cold duration reduction and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Echinacea has been researched for: Immune support, Cold prevention, Cold duration reduction, Respiratory health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 9 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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