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Echinacea

Also called: Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea

- Summary
- About echinacea
- Conditions of concern
- Potential side effects
- Drug or other interactions
- Pregnancy use issues
- Child use issues
- Questions for your doctor

Reviewed By:
Timothy Yarboro, M.D.

Conditions of concern with echinacea

People with certain allergies should not take echinacea. This is particularly true for people who are allergic to plants in the Asteraceae or Compositae family. These are large families that contain a variety of plant types, including ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies.

People with asthma or atopy (a genetic tendency to experience allergic reactions) are also more likely to experience adverse reactions to echinacea.

SoThe HIV virus, which causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), attacks the body’s immune syme experts have recommended that people with a compromised immune system avoid taking echinacea. Such conditions include HIV/AIDS, some types of cancer, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis and rheumatologic diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis). However, there is no specific scientific research study that supports such concerns.

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Review Date: 04-11-2007

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